The relationship between law and psychology: A study of interdisciplinarity in research

Luk, Ann C. (2021) The relationship between law and psychology: A study of interdisciplinarity in research. PhD thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

Interdisciplinary research between law and psychology is a growing field of study. However, the methodology behind such research has been subject to challenges and alternate proposals for how the two disciplines should be combined. This thesis undertakes an in-depth methodological analysis of the relationship between law and psychology, seeking to clarify the reasons, methods, and benefits of bringing these two disciplines together. The thesis engages with case studies of psycho-legal and interdisciplinary research, and with the literature on the methodology of psycho-legal and interdisciplinary research. A comparative analysis of how these sources have addressed the relationship between law and psychology will highlight the debates and conflicts which have arisen regarding the important question of how these two disciplines can interact. The thesis will demonstrate how the writings of Max Weber on the methodology of social sciences and the relationship between normative and empirical statements, and the more recent discussion on the value neutrality of research allow these debates and conflicts to be answered.

This will lead to the establishment of a new methodological framework for psycho-legal research. This framework will provide answers to the challenges that have been made towards interdisciplinary research between law and psychology, highlight weaknesses in the current methodological proposals for psycho-legal research, and provide an in-depth methodological outline for how to engage with and undertake psycho-legal and other interdisciplinary research in the future. By specifying the potential reasons, methods, and benefits of bringing law and psychology together, the thesis will emphasise the need to reformulate many of the current approaches to psycho-legal study that have been proposed and will highlight hitherto unrecognised benefits of legal interdisciplinary research.

• Item Type: Thesis (PhD)
• Qualification Level: Doctoral
• Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology; K Law > K Law (General)
• Colleges/Schools: College of Social Sciences > School of Law
• Supervisor's Name: Pavlakos, Prof. George, Goldoni, Dr. Marco and Anderson, Dr. Gavin
• Date of Award: 2021
• Depositing User: Theses Team
• Unique ID: glathesis:2021-82417
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 01 Sep 2021 08:53
• Last Modified: 01 Sep 2021 08:53
• Thesis DOI: 10.5525/gla.thesis.82417
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/82417