Psychology major for prospective law school student

concerneddad
Wed, 27 Oct 2004 20:26:25 +0000

To the extent that psy, like many social sciences, are based upon theory rather than inalienable truths, it will give you some ability to understand the competing lines of reasoning that case law can represent. For example, most U.S. Supreme Court cases are not unanimous decisions, and each concurring or dissenting opinion can espouse its own theory or rationale for reaching the conclusion that it does. Thus, coming from a discipline that values such arguments can be an aid. I came from an anthropology background that also had many competing theories.

As far as writing skills, it would just depend on the partiuclar instructor and what assignments they had out. I did not have a lot of undergrad writing experience and was somewaht handicapped upon entering law school. But, I got lucky, had a great reseach and writing prof., and became an appellate attorney who writes for a living.