World's Best Scientists 2026 revealed!
Psychology, Crime and Law
H-index 12

Psychology, Crime and Law

1068-316X

Published by: Taylor & Francis

https://www.tandfonline.com/toc/gpcl20/current

Ranking & Metrics

Discipline name Position Best Scientists Publications D-Index
Psychology 588 93 120 11
Social Sciences and Humanities 1114 9 10 4

Additional Metrics

Number of Best Scientists*: 108
Documents by Best Scientists*: 135
Top 100 Ranked Scientists*: 3
SCIMAGO H-index: 72
SCIMAGO SJR: 0.633
Impact Factor: 1.5

Overview

Top Research Topics at Psychology Crime & Law?

The journal aims to foster the development of research in Social psychology, Developmental psychology, Clinical psychology, Criminology and Psychiatry. In particular, the Social psychology works presented emphasize discussions on Deception. Recall, Cognition and Sexual abuse are some topics wherein Developmental psychology research discussed in Psychology Crime & Law have an impact.

The study on Recall presented in the journal intersects with subjects under the field of Cognitive interview. Sexual abuse research is the primary subject tackled in it with a focus on Child sexual abuse. Topics in Clinical psychology explored in Psychology Crime & Law were investigated in conjunction with research in Injury prevention, Suicide prevention and Personality.

Criminology works presented in it have a specific focus on Prison. It is mostly focused on Psychiatry, specifically Recidivism.

  • Social psychology (41.41%)
  • Developmental psychology (22.40%)
  • Clinical psychology (16.15%)

What are the most cited papers published in the journal?

  • The good lives model and conceptual issues in offender rehabilitation (442 citations)
  • Toward a comprehensive theory of child sexual abuse: A theory knitting perspective (402 citations)
  • Criminogenic needs and human needs: A theoretical model. (302 citations)

Research areas of the most cited articles at Psychology Crime & Law:

The journal papers mostly deal with topics like Social psychology, Clinical psychology, Developmental psychology, Psychiatry and Criminology. The most cited publications emphasize research on Social psychology, which includes concerns such as Deception. The most cited articles tackle studies in Child sexual abuse and the interrelated subject of Child abuse to gain insights into Developmental psychology.

What topics the last edition of the journal is best known for?

  • Social psychology
  • Cognition
  • Social science

The previous edition focused in particular on these issues:

Psychology Crime & Law generally zeroes in on subjects such as Social psychology, Criminology, Clinical psychology, Developmental psychology and Applied psychology. The Social psychology works featured in Psychology Crime & Law incorporate elements from Credibility and Perception. The presented research on Criminology deals specifically with Adjudication but it also addresses topics in Rehabilitation.

Psychology Crime & Law addresses concerns in Clinical psychology which are intertwined with other disciplines, such as Sample (statistics), Association (psychology) and Psychopathy. It holds forums on Developmental psychology that merges themes from other disciplines such as Structural equation modeling and Vulnerability. The research on Prison featured in the journal combines topics in other fields like Procedural justice and Exoneration.

The most cited articles from the last journal are:

  • Experiences and psychological health among children exposed to online child sexual abuse – a mixed methods study of court verdicts (6 citations)
  • Optimizing CBCA and RM research: recommendations for analyzing and reporting data on content cues to deception (5 citations)
  • Lessons from London: a contemporary examination of the factors affecting attrition among rape complaints (3 citations)

Papers citation over time

A key indicator for each journal is its effectiveness in reaching other researchers with the papers published at that venue.

The chart below presents the interquartile range (first quartile 25%, median 50% and third quartile 75%) of the number of citations of articles over time.

The top authors publishing in Psychology Crime & Law (based on the number of publications) are:

  • Aldert Vrij (33 papers) absent at the last edition,
  • Pär Anders Granhag (23 papers) absent at the last edition,
  • Tony Ward (22 papers) absent at the last edition,
  • Ray Bull (21 papers) absent at the last edition,
  • Gisli H. Gudjonsson (20 papers) absent at the last edition.

The overall trend for top authors publishing in this journal is outlined below. The chart shows the number of publications at each edition of the journal for top authors.

Only papers with recognized affiliations are considered

The top affiliations publishing in Psychology Crime & Law (based on the number of publications) are:

  • University of Portsmouth (52 papers) published 1 paper at the last edition, 4 less than at the previous edition,
  • University of Leicester (43 papers) absent at the last edition,
  • Victoria University of Wellington (36 papers) absent at the last edition,
  • University of Kent (34 papers) published 3 papers at the last edition,
  • University of Birmingham (31 papers) published 1 paper at the last edition.

The overall trend for top affiliations publishing in this journal is outlined below. The chart shows the number of publications at each edition of the journal for top affiliations.

Publication chance based on affiliation

The publication chance index shows the ratio of articles published by the best research institutions in the journal edition to all articles published within that journal. The best research institutions were selected based on the largest number of articles published during all editions of the journal.

The chart below presents the percentage ratio of articles from top institutions (based on their ranking of total papers).Top affiliations were grouped by their rank into the following tiers: top 1-10, top 11-20, top 21-50, and top 51+. Only articles with a recognized affiliation are considered.

During the most recent 2021 edition, 6.00% of publications had an unrecognized affiliation. Out of the publications with recognized affiliations, 14.89% were posted by at least one author from the top 10 institutions publishing in the journal. Another 11.70% included authors affiliated with research institutions from the top 11-20 affiliations. Institutions from the 21-50 range included 26.60% of all publications and 46.81% were from other institutions.

Returning Authors Index

A very common phenomenon observed among researchers publishing scientific articles is the intentional selection of journals they have already attended in the past. In particular, it is worth analyzing the case when the authors participate in the same journal from year to year.

The Returning Authors Index presented below illustrates the ratio of authors who participated in both a given as well as the previous edition of the journal in relation to all participants in a given year.

Returning Institution Index

The graph below shows the Returning Institution Index, illustrating the ratio of institutions that participated in both a given and the previous edition of the conference in relation to all affiliations present in a given year.

The experience to innovation index

Our experience to innovation index was created to show a cross-section of the experience level of authors publishing in a journal. The index includes the authors publishing at the last edition of a journal, grouped by total number of publications throughout their academic career (P) and the total number of citations of these publications ever received (C).

The group intervals were selected empirically to best show the diversity of the authors' experiences, their labels were selected as a convenience, not as judgment. The authors were divided into the following groups:

  • Novice - P < 5 or C < 25 (the number of publications less than 5 or the number of citations less than 25),
  • Competent - P < 10 or C < 100 (the number of publications less than 10 or the number of citations less than 100),
  • Experienced - P < 25 or C < 625 (the number of publications less than 25 or the number of citations less than 625),
  • Master - P < 50 or C < 2500 (the number of publications less than 50 or the number of citations less than 2500),
  • Star - P ≥ 50 and C ≥ 2500 (both the number of publications greater than 50 and the number of citations greater than 2500).

The chart below illustrates experience levels of first authors in cases of publications with multiple authors.

How to Become a Forensic Scientist in Rhode Island and Its Relevance to Psychology Crime & Law

Looking into a practical career perspective related to the field of psychology and law, one of the intriguing paths one can take is to become a forensic scientist. Particularly in states such as Rhode Island, careers in forensic science can be a promising area of focus for those interested in applying their knowledge about psychology in a crime and law context. Forensic scientists perform intricate work to investigate matters of crime, involving analysis and interpretation of material evidence. This role requires a deep understanding of various disciplines, including psychology. In Rhode Island, aspiring forensic scientists must meet key educational requirements and undergo job-specific training. This could mean obtaining a degree in psychology, criminology, or a related field, and then expanding upon that knowledge via experience in the field or further specialized education. A critical understanding of psychology can become a valuable tool in this field, enhancing the ability to understand and interpret human behaviors and tendencies. According to our research, forensic science appears to intersect with topics regularly explored in the Psychology Crime & Law journal, particularly within the realms of social psychology, developmental psychology, and clinical psychology. As such, potential forensic scientists might find valuable insights and knowledge growth by referencing research and discussions found within the journal. Exploring these sections could provide a more informed, comprehensive approach to their work within the crime and law enforcement arena. To learn the specific steps one can take towards becoming a forensic scientist in Rhode Island, consider visiting this comprehensive guide [how to become a forensic scientist in Rhode Island](/careers/how-to-become-a-forensic-scientist-in-rhode-island). This resource might serve as an essential roadmap for those planning to embark upon such a career, enabling them to contribute effectively towards their society's safety and justice systems.

Top Publications

  • Growing up in single-parent families and the criminal involvement of adolescents: a systematic review

    Janique Kroese;Wim Bernasco;Aart C. Liefbroer;Jan Rouwendal

    (2021)
    40 Citations
  • The predictive validity of youth violence risk assessment tools: a systematic review

    Li Lian Koh;Andrew Day;Bianca Klettke;Michael Daffern

    (2020)
    27 Citations
  • The unseen cost of justice: post-traumatic stress symptoms in Canadian lawyers

    Marie-Eve Leclerc;Jo-Anne Wemmers;Alain Brunet

    (2020)
    25 Citations
  • Children’s attitudes towards animal cruelty: Exploration of predictors and socio-demographic variations

    Roxanne D. Hawkins;Joanne M. Williams

    (2020)
    21 Citations
  • The interaction of truthful and deceptive information

    Brianna L. Verigin;Ewout H. Meijer;Aldert Vrij;Leonie Zauzig

    (2020)
    18 Citations
  • Optimizing CBCA and RM research: recommendations for analyzing and reporting data on content cues to deception

    Siegfried L. Sporer;Antonio L. Manzanero;Jaume Masip;Jaume Masip;Jaume Masip

    (2021)
    17 Citations
  • Online groomer typology scheme

    Evianne L. van Gijn-Grosvenor;Michael E. Lamb

    (2021)
    16 Citations
  • Pathways to incarceration: an examination of childhood maltreatment and personality psychopathology in incarcerated adults

    Jennifer Boland;Rachel Rock;Alexandria K. Johnson;Michelle A. Jones

    (2021)
    13 Citations
  • Activism and radicalism in adolescence: an empirical test on age-related differences

    Michaela Pfundmair;Markus Paulus;Elisabeth Wagner

    (2021)
    13 Citations
  • Body dismemberment in sexual homicide cases: lust murder or rational decision?

    Julien Chopin;Eric Beauregard

    (2021)
    13 Citations

Related Online Degrees & Career Pathways

Pursuing a Psychology degree in the USA opens doors to diverse career pathways, but exploring related online degrees can enhance your prospects. Many students opt for most useful graduate degrees that complement Psychology, such as counseling, social work, or human resources. These programs provide valuable skills that boost employability in competitive fields.

If you're looking for a quicker entry route or to build foundational knowledge, consider 2 year online degrees. These flexible programs often serve as stepping stones toward higher degrees or immediate workforce integration, offering accessibility and convenience for busy learners.

Cost is a crucial factor when selecting an online program. Thankfully, students can find quality education without overspending by enrolling in cheap online college classes. This approach helps balance educational goals with budget constraints while maintaining accreditation and credibility.

Additionally, for those concerned about academic performance, researching the best colleges for low gpa allows opportunities to pursue degrees despite past challenges. Many institutions now provide accessible admissions policies, enabling a fresh start toward a rewarding psychology career.

Best Scientists Contributing to This Journal