The Implicit Relation of Psychology and Law

From a feminist perspective, the authors critically review the current use of psychology in law and identify a powerful collusion between the two fields which works actively against the interests of women. They provide support for their argument in such areas as child abuse, domestic violence, rape and abortion.

This groundbreaking international text draws on both research findings and case material from various countries including Australia, New Zealand, Canada and South Africa as well as the USA and Great Britain.

The Implicit Relation of Psychology and Law brings an innovative, feminist analysis to these affiliated fields. Fiona E. Raitt and M. Suzanne Zeedyk explore the role of psychological syndromes (i.e. Battered Woman''s Syndrome, Rape Trauma Syndrome, Pre-menstrual Syndrome and False Memory Syndrome) within the courtrooms of the UK and the US. In addition to the explicit relationship between the two fields, they argue that there is an unrecognised implicit relation existing within the intersection of psychology and law, which they find works to the disadvantage of women.

Both novel and controversial and written in an accessible style, The Implicit Relation of Psychology and Law will engage readers from a wide range of disciplines including: psychology, law, critical theory, criminology and women''s studies.