RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Perceptions of Psychiatric Testimony: A Historical Perspective on the Hysterical Invective
JF Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law Online
JO J Am Acad Psychiatry Law
FD American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law
SP 203
OP 219
VO 14
IS 3
A1 Resnick, Phillip J.
YR 1986
UL http://jaapl.org/content/14/3/203.abstract
AB This paper discusses the perceptions of psychiatric testimony by the public, lawyers, and psychiatrists. Five major criticisms are put into historical perspective: psychiatrists excuse sin; psychiatrists always disagree; psychiatrists give confusing, subjective, uninformed, jargon-ridden testimony; psychiatrists dictate the law; psychiatrists give conclusory opinions. Proposed solutions to these criticisms are analyzed.