Reforming the Law: Impact of Child Development Research - Hardcover

Melton, Gary B.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0898622786 ISBN 13: 9780898622782

Publisher: The Guilford Press, 1987

Synopsis

When does social science research reach the legal system? What determines whether and how it is used when it gets there? To answer these questions, REFORMING THE LAW assesses the impact of research on children's competence in decision making and also looks more generally at the effectiveness of social scientists in reaching legal decision makers. The authors give practical guidance to social scientists who wish to influence the legal system. They also provide new insights into the sociology of the law and the social sciences. Drawn from both academia and policy centers, the authors apply their backgrounds in law, psychology, and policy analysis for a rich interdisciplinary discussion of the process of legal policy making.

A product of a study group sponsored by the Society for Research in Child Development, REFORMING THE LAW has special significance for child development researchers, legal policy makers, and practitioners. Readers interested in the development of child legal policy, social scientists who seek to inform the law, and anyone wishing to understand the interaction between law and social science will also find this volume an invaluable resource.

About this title

About the Author:

Gary B. Melton, Ph.D., is Professor of neuropsychiatry, law, and psychology at the University of South Carolina, where he directs the Institute for Families in Society. A past president of the American Psychology\n-\Law Society and the American Psychological Association (APA) Division of Child, Youth, and Family Services, he has received distinguished contributions awards for public service from the APA, three of its divisions, and the National Committee to Prevent Child Abuse. He is past vice-chair of the U.S. Advisory Board on Child Abuse and Neglect, he coordinates a regular briefing series for congressional staff, and his work has been cited by courts at all levels, including the U.S. Supreme Court. The author or editor of more than 200 publications, he has lectured or conducted research in 15 countries.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.:

I. CHILD DEVELOPMENT RESEARCH AND THE LAW: POTENTIAL CONTRIBUTIONS AND ACTUAL EFFECTS.
1. Children Under the Law: The Paradigm of Consent, Koocher.
2. The Impact of Social Science Research on the Judiciary, Hafemeister & Melton.
II. DIFFUSION OD CHILD DEVELOPMENT RESEARCH TO LEGAL AUDIENCES.
3. The Diffusion of Social Science Research to Policymakers: An Overview, Weiss.
4. Child Development Research and the Legislative Process, Takanishi & Melton.
5. From within the System: Educational and Research Programs at the Federal Judicial Center, Bermant & Wheeler.
6. Getting Child Development Research to Legal Practitioners: Which Way to the Trenches?, Grisso & Melton.
III. PROCEDURES FOR INTRODUCING CHIOLD DEVELOPMENT RESEARCH INTO THE LEGAL PROCESS.
7. Opportunities Lost: The Theory and the Practice of Using Developmental Knowledge in the Adversarial Trial, Saks.
8. The High Road to the Bench: Presenting Research Findings in Appellate Briefs, Tremper.
9. Judicial Notice of ``Facts'' about Child Development, Melton.
IV. CONCLUSIONS.
10. Professional Responsibility in the Dissemination of Psychological Research in Legal Contexts, Weithorn.
11. Guidelines for Effective Diffusion of Child Development Research into the Legal System, Melton.

About this edition

• Publisher: The Guilford Press
• Publication date: 1987
• ISBN 10: 0898622786
• ISBN 13: 9780898622782
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 307