Law and Human Behavior

Law and Human Behavior, the official journal of APA Division 41 (American Psychology-Law Society), is a multidisciplinary forum for empirical manuscripts examining the interface between human behavior and the law (including the criminal justice and legal system, and the legal process).

The editorial team is seeking submissions on diverse topics. The journal publishes original, theory-driven, quantitative and qualitative research from a variety of fields, including law, psychology, psychiatry, criminology, and criminal justice. The journal focuses on research with direct and significant implications for the policies of the criminal, juvenile, civil, family, and immigration legal systems and the functioning of other persons involved in these systems. Authors are strongly encouraged to situate their research in the law and discuss implications for mental health professionals, the legal system, legal practice, and relevant policies. Traditional topics for the journal include forensic and correctional assessment and intervention; law enforcement; eyewitnesses; interrogations, confessions, and deception; juries; therapeutic legal philosophies; approaches to punishment and supervision; violence risk assessment; and psychopathy. Research attending to matters of equity, diversity, and inclusion is desired. The journal primarily publishes empirical manuscripts, although methodological or theoretical papers that make a significant contribution will be considered. PRISMA-based meta-analytic reviews and systematic reviews of previous research also are encouraged. We are looking for manuscripts that deepen our understanding of current issues and/or expand the scope of inquiry about human behavior in legal contexts.