PSYCHOLOGY AND LAW

In this article we review the historical and present-day aspects of psychology and law in Spain. We note that it is a specialist area in which there has been research and practice during the past five years. There are two basic orientations: academic and professional. From an historical point of view we shall indicate three key events: first, the appearance of a book by Mira y Lopez; second, the publication of an Annual on Forensic Sociology-and Psychology and the publication of a book by Munoz Sabate; finally the pivotal change produced in 1986, and the last two National Congresses of Social Psychology. From a thematic point of view, we shall indicate the following areas which received more attention in psychological research: testimony in trials, judges' sentences, juries, and applications of psychology in the penitentiary system.