Primary Concentration: Clinical Psychology
Secondary Concentration: Psychology-Law
My research explores factors that influence individual decision making within the context of the criminal legal system. I am interested in how individual differences, including personality traits and demographic factors, such as gender and sexual orientation, impact the legal decision maker’s judgments and ultimate decisions. In addition, I explore how evidence regarding psychological constructs (e.g., psychopathy) and psychological assessments are considered by these legal decision makers.
Research Areas:
- the interplay between psychological assessment and the legal system
- conceptualization and assessment of psychopathic personality (psychopathy)
- influence of psychological expert testimony on legal decision making
- how legal decision-makers understand and consider psychopathy evidence during the trial process
