RT Article
T1 Legal psychologists as experts: guidelines for minimizing bias
JF Psychology, crime & law
VO 30
IS 7
SP 705
OP 729
A1 Vredeveldt, Annelies
A2 van Rosmalen, Eva A. J.
A2 van Koppen, Peter J.
A2 Dror, Itiel E.
A2 Otgaar, Henry
LA English
YR 2024
UL https://krimdok.uni-tuebingen.de/Record/1900825341
AB Legal psychologists’ assessments can have a major impact on the fact finder’s evaluation of evidence and, consequently, perceptions of guilt. Yet, in the few studies about legal psychologists’ assessments and reports, great variability was found. As is the case with other forensic expert domains, legal psychologists are prone to cognitive biases, such as being adversely affected by irrelevant contextual information, confirmation bias, and allegiance bias. Based on the scientific literature, we propose several ways in which legal psychologists can minimize cognitive biases in their assessments, most notably the alternative scenario method. Furthermore, we propose guidelines for expert witnesses in the legal psychological domain, designed to make reports as scientifically grounded, applicable, readable, transparent, and bias-free as possible. We hope that the guidelines will enhance the quality of expert witness testimony provided by legal psychologists around the world.
K1 forensic decision-making
K1 Confirmation bias
K1 cognitive bias
K1 legal psychology
K1 expert witness
K1 Court expert
DO 10.1080/1068316X.2022.2114476