How Can Psychology Be Used In A Paralegal Career

Psychology and Paralegal 1

Running Head : PSYCHOLOGY AND THE PARALEGAL CAREER

How Can Psychology Be Used in A Paralegal Career (student 's name (name of university

Psychology and Paralegal 2

Table of Contents

Title Page

Table of Contents

Outline

Introduction

What is a Paralegal

Definition

Duties and Responsibilities

Psychology and the Paralegal

Psychological Perspectives

Applying Psychology to Paralegal Work

Conclusion

References

Psychology and Paralegal 3

Outline

Introduction

What is a Paralegal

Definition

Duties and Responsibilities

Psychology and

the Paralegal

Psychological Perspective

Applying Psychology to Paralegal Work

Conclusion

Psychology and Paralegal 4

Introduction

Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental processes this definition is very broad and can be applied to virtually any field of study or specialization . Psychology because it is concerned with understanding , predicting and changing human behavior is an appropriate background for anyone who is considering pursuing a paralegal career The objective of this is to present the ways in which psychology can be applied to a paralegal career . First , the paralegal career is discussed , followed by the presentation of important psychological concepts and perspectives and a discussion of how psychology can be applied to the work of a paralegal . It is hoped that this would encourage paralegals to learn psychological concepts to enrich their careers

What is a Paralegal

Definition

In the 1960 's law firms and private practitioners wanted to improve the delivery of legal services to their clients and hence the concept of paralegals or legal assistants came into being . Due to the increased awareness of the general public of their legal rights , lawyers were too swamped with cases that they felt the need to hire legal assistants who could do the less important but vital work in the course of legal proceedings . Through the years , the paralegal profession had become one of the fastest growing occupations , thus more and more people are becoming paralegals

Psychology and Paralegal 5

A Paralegal is a person who through education , training and or work experience performs a wide array of legal work that requires knowledge and mastery of legal concepts which may or may not be exclusively done by a lawyer (National Federation of Paralegal Association . Paralegals usually work under the supervision of lawyers , a law office , a government agency or other organizations that have the authority to perform legal functions , they are however forbidden to seek employment or practice their profession without a license

Duties and Responsibilities

Paralegals can in no formal capacity give legal advice , represent a client in court , set attorney 's fees or accept a case , these are all functions associated with the practice of law and hence only lawyers are permitted to carry out such duties . Paralegals more often than not work under a lawyer and his /her work is supervised by the lawyer , any output or the work carried out by the paralegal is subsumed under the attorney and is considered as part of the attorney 's case output . Although the paralegal assumes tasks that pertain to a...