They deal essentially with the mind of the witness on the witness stand; only the last, on the prevention of crime, takes another direction. I have not touched so far the psychology of the attorney, of the judge, or of the jury -- problems which lend themselves to very interesting experimental treatment.
On the Witness Stand is a series of essays that Mnsterberg published to describe his research on eyewitness testimony, false confessions, and the different uses of psychology in legal problems. In the first chapters Mnsterberg describes how unreliable eyewitness testimony can be, and he gives a personal account proving this.
More than 100 years ago, the interface of psychology and law reached popular consciousness with the publication of Hugo Munsterberg’s On the Witness Stand: Essays on Psychology and Crime. In a book familiar to psycholegal researchers, Munsterberg systematically demonstrated how legal issues could be informed by research in psychology.
The latest issue of Applied Cognitive Psychology (Volume 22 Issue 6, September 2008) is a special devoted to Basic and Applied Issues in Eyewitness Research, edited by Brian H. Bornstein, Christian A. Meissner. Published to mark the centenary of the publication of “On the Witness Stand” by Hugo Munsterburg, one of forensic psychology’s founding fathers, this issue contains a feast of.
Munsterberg was a pioneer of what we now refer to as forensic psychology (the combination of psychology and law). His research is still being replicated today, by leading psychologists in the field. Elizabeth Loftus, who provides the forward to some editions of On the Witness Stand, is a well known psychologist working on memory and witness testimony research.
Topics in the book include: the memory of the witness, the detection of crime, untrue confessions, suggestions in court, hypnotism and crime, illusions, and the prevention of crime. Back to top Rent On the Witness Stand 1st edition (978-1933167909) today, or search our site for other textbooks by Hugo Munsterberg.
Munsterberg was an early pioneer in the field of criminal psychology. At the turn of the 20th century, Munsterberg published On The Witness Stand, a collection of essays which pointed out the inherent lack of reliability in witness testimony. Munsterberg revealed how psychological variables can interfere with people providing evidence in trials.
History of Cognitive and Personality Assessment. During the years in which Munsterberg was proselytizing about psychology’s usefulness in the courtroom, particularly involving expert testimony, another American psychologist was more quietly making inroads into a different forensic area, one specifically related to juvenile courts.
Forensic and Psychological Assessment and Expert Witness Site provides information and links concerning forensics and psychological assessment. On the Witness Stand: Essays on Psychology and Crime Classic essays about psychology and crime by Hugo Munsterberg. The Article discusses the use of having a mental disorder as a defence. Recovered Memories.