Psychology, Public Policy, and Law
@pppl-journal.bsky.social
A quarterly peer-reviewed academic journal published by the American Psychological Association. https://www.apa.org/pubs/journals/law
Risk assessments are increasingly visible in criminal legal systems worldwide, but concerns remain about whether they may unfairly influence sentencing outcomes. Recent research examines this critical question. 🔗 Read here: doi.org/10.1037/law0... #psychlaw #lawpsych | @apajournals.bsky.social
New research finds that bills named after victims (eponymous legislation) may receive greater support than comparable legislation w/o a named narrative, regardless of policy quality or effectiveness. Read more: doi.org/10.1037/law0... #psychlaw #lawpsych #psychology #law @apajournals.bsky.social
Miranda warnings are among the most recognizable legal protections in the U.S., but how do they function in practice? Findings from a recent systematic review and meta-analysis offer insights: 🔗 doi.org/10.1037/law0... #psychlaw #lawpsych #psychology #law @apajournals.bsky.social
On witnesses and their testimony, an article in @pppl-journal.bsky.social with Sverre Blandhol and Svein Magnussen @unioslo-svfak.bsky.social @unioslo-jus.bsky.social #cogsci #cognition www.growkudos.com/publications...
The psychology of deciding whether what someone says is true
When we listen to someone speaking, while we may feel that they are telling the truth, they might be lying or misremembering. Even an assessment of what they said in the light of other evidence may be...
growkudos.com
Meet the Editorial Team Join us in welcoming Dr. Robyn Mooney, one of our 2026 Editorial Fellows! #psychlaw #lawpsych #psychology #law @apajournals.bsky.social
How does the legal system understand human memory? Research argues that early memory tests offer more reliable insights than traditional courtroom practices, w/ direct implications for policy & practice. 🔗 awspntest.apa.org/fulltext/2026-99536-001.html #psychlaw #lawpsych @apajournals.bsky.social
Meet the Editorial Team Welcome back to Dr. Andrea Avila, JD, PhD! Dr. Avila previously served as one of our outstanding 2024 Editorial Fellows, and we’re delighted to have her return as an Associate Editor. #psychlaw #lawpsych #psychology #law
Recent findings from a national correspondence audit experiment show that people who have been wrongfully convicted continue to face major barriers to reentry. 🔗 Read the full article here: psycnet.apa.org/record/2027-... #psychlaw #lawpsych #psychology #law @apajournals.bsky.social
Make sure to keep an eye out for copies of APA Journals Law and Human Behavior and Psychology, Public Policy, and Law at #apls2026! @ap-ls.org @pppl-journal.bsky.social
We’re excited to see APA spotlight newly published research from PPPL! The study provides experimental evidence that victim narratives can significantly increase public support for proposed legislation—independent of policy content. #psychlaw #lawpsych #psychology #law
APA Journals@apajournals.bsky.social · 5mo agoHow does the naming of a bill influence support? Recent research in Psychology, Public Policy, and Law suggests laws named after victims of tragedies are more likely to receive public support by eliciting sympathy. Read the APA press release: https://bit.ly/4cdmvNU @pppl-journal.bsky.social
Meet the Editorial Board: Next up is Dr. Rebecca Helm, one of our amazing associate editors. Welcome, Dr.@rebeccakhelm.bsky.social! #psychlaw #lawpsych #psychology #law @apajournals.bsky.social
In response to the rapid expansion of technology during COVID-19, APA Division 41 convened a taskforce to offer foundational guidance on integrating tech into psych-law. 💡 Read for free here: psycnet.apa.org/fulltext/202... #psychology #law #psychlaw #lawpsych @apajournals.bsky.social
Power dynamics at the outset of divorce matter and can shape the entire process. Findings suggest that even as imbalances shrink over time, their effects persist. 🔗 Read the open-access article: psycnet.apa.org/fulltext/202... #psychlaw #lawpsych #psychology #law
What leads some drivers to repeated dangerous road traffic behaviors? Research findings point to new directions for road safety interventions grounded in behavioral science. 🔗 Read open-access article here: psycnet.apa.org/fulltext/202... #psychlaw #lawpsych #psychology #law
"Criminogenic Risk Factors Among Immigrants in the U.S.–México Border Region," recently published in Psychology, Public Policy, and Law and selected as noteworthy by the Editor. Free-to-read: https://bit.ly/3L6smZR #Immigration @enolouden.bsky.social @pppl-journal.bsky.social
In case you missed it — "Criminogenic Risk Factors Among Immigrants in the U.S.–México Border Region" is now free to read: bit.ly/3L6smZR @apajournals.bsky.social #psychlaw #lawpsych #psychology #law
Psychology, Public Policy, and Law@pppl-journal.bsky.social · 11mo agoPolicies limiting immigration are often justified based on the idea that immigrants are more prone to violence. The evidence says otherwise. New research finds that immigrants in custody show lower criminogenic risk than U.S.-born citizens. Read here: doi.org/10.1037/law0... #psychlaw #lawpsych
Machine learning can detect patterns—but can it detect deception? A newly published replication of a landmark study on linguistic cues in 911 homicide calls suggests the answer is "no".... at least, not reliably. 🔗 Read the full article: psycnet.apa.org/record/2026-... #psychlaw #lawpsych
Meet the Editorial Board: Next up is Dr. Heidi Liu, one of our amazing Editorial Fellows! #psychlaw #lawpsych #psychology #law
When evidence advances, why doesn’t courtroom culture? While federal initiatives emphasize forensic DNA testing in sexual assault cases, findings indicate that victim-survivors' courtroom experiences remain largely unchanged. 👉 Read the full article: tinyurl.com/4k9tdc9f #psychlaw #lawpsych
Meet the Editorial Board: Next up is Dr. Stephanie Cárdenas, PhD, one of our amazing Editorial Fellows! @stephaniecardenas.bsky.social #psychlaw #lawpsych #psychology #law
Clinical override is common in actuarial risk assessment—but does it actually improve outcomes? Findings show that when assessors alter predetermined offender risk levels, it decreases accuracy & reduces predictive validity. Read the full article here: tinyurl.com/5wey4dsf #psychlaw #lawpsych
Meet the Editorial Board: This week we're returning to our series with Dr. Teresa Silva, Ph.D., one of our Associate Editors! #psychlaw #lawpsych #psychology #law
New article alert! Our latest article examines criminogenic risk among justice involved immigrants and finds that they have lower levels of most criminogenic risk factors compared to US citizens. This aligns with many other studies suggesting that immigrants are at low risk of crime.
Psychology, Public Policy, and Law@pppl-journal.bsky.social · 11mo agoPolicies limiting immigration are often justified based on the idea that immigrants are more prone to violence. The evidence says otherwise. New research finds that immigrants in custody show lower criminogenic risk than U.S.-born citizens. Read here: doi.org/10.1037/law0... #psychlaw #lawpsych
Policies limiting immigration are often justified based on the idea that immigrants are more prone to violence. The evidence says otherwise. New research finds that immigrants in custody show lower criminogenic risk than U.S.-born citizens. Read here: doi.org/10.1037/law0... #psychlaw #lawpsych
CALL FOR APPLICATIONS: PPPL 2026 Editorial Board Deadline: October 1, 2025 Find editorial board position descriptions, required qualifications, & how to apply here: osf.io/fcmvj We're also seeking 2 early career editorial fellows, find more info here: osf.io/9ebrm #psychlaw #lawpsych
Does the Considering Offender Probability in Statements (COPS) Scale allow law enforcement to distinguish between guilty and innocent people placing 911 homicide calls? Research from the FBI BAU and Villanova University suggests it does not. Read a summary from the authors: bit.ly/3DgM3dL
It's finally out! 😄 Our first lab article is published in the @pppl-journal.bsky.social . We review how researchers define innocent/innocence, miscarriage of justice, wrongfully convicted/wrongful conviction, and exoneree/exoneration within the psych literature. doi.org/10.1037/law0000468
Our lab’s first study is published in @pppl-journal.bsky.social! We review definitions used in psych & law to describe those wrongly involved in the legal system. doi.org/10.1037/law0000468 @gblancovelasco.com @carinacardoso.bsky.social @karlihamilton.bsky.social @kimberleyclow.bsky.social
Research from the FBI and Villanova University provide compelling evidence that the COPS Scale is not a valid tool for detecting the innocence or guilt of people placing 911 homicide calls. Read a short summary from the authors bit.ly/3DgM3dL @pppl-journal.bsky.social
