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Promises and Problems in Forensic Psycholocy - A Review

Posted by Helping Psychology in Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX on Nov 14, 2008

Lawrence Wrightsman has done a noteworthy job of researching the problems and promises in the field of forensic psychology, but his writing style creates another problem altogether. Why is it that this otherwise informative and timely book is written in such a dry, stiff, and (almost) pontificating manner? Textbooks in the sciences too often fall prey to a cumbersome style of writing, perhaps to constantly remind the reader that the subject matter is "serious stuff" But it it really necessary?

In the "Problems and Promises" section, Wrightsman discusses the divergent roles and backgrounds of forensic psychologists and begins a large and extensive review of this increasingly important field. He goes on to make the startling point that Supreme Court Justices have continually ignored the findings of psychology related to jury selection, opting instead to be guided by their own intuitive feelings when writing majority opinions and reaching decisions. This has huge implications for cases heard in court and is definitely "serious stuff." But why must it be such a challenge to claw through the narrative in order to get to the facts and findings? Yes, such a book is best written in a professional and knowledgeable manner, but isn't the point to share the information. not bury it under a cloak of stuffy verbiage?

Busy professionals, willing to read this book and learn from it (perhaps even judges), may be so put off by the burdensome and unwieldy narrative that they throw the book down in frustration, crying, "Who has the time or the energy?" Students, possibly not having the option to "throw down", might come to resent the topic itself based merely on the struggle of navigating the style of writing. It's a little like reading a graduate level textbook in a second (or third) language. Truly, "another language" is exactly what academic writing often is.

Is it really so important to sound scholarly at the risk of putting the reader to sleep? If the reader is able remain awake and alert for the duration of this book, he will surely gain a better understanding of the roles and responsibilities of forensic psychologists in the legal system. But what about the less determined and persevering reader? Should he be left in the dark about this important topic simply because the language wore him out?

Why not feed us this feast of complex and relevant information in a way we can easily digest, using a writing style that is smooth, clear, friendly and flowing? Why burden us with the effort of deciphering the language only to then have us absorb a multitude of crucial and pertinent issues? What purpose is served by this verbal hindering, other than to slow and congest the process of reading and learning? And what about the joy derived from a well-crafted and well-turned phrase? Is there a reason why a "serious" tome cannot also be a pleasure to read?

Writing style may be an issue with many academic textbooks, but Forensic Psychology is more than a textbook. An analysis of the current relationship between psychology and the law, it could greatly impact lawyers, psychologists, students, judges and, of course, all who come under the courts. The author has so much of value to say; it would benefit many if he would just simply say it.