Tennessee Tech researchers launch LEAP Lab to study legal psychology

Tennessee Tech University has established the Legal, Experimental and Applied Psychology (LEAP) Lab to investigate how human behavior influences the justice system. Led by Assistant Professor Dr. Haley Dawson, the lab focuses on the intersection of psychology and law, examining critical factors such as witness memory, the perception of evidence, and how individual characteristics may affect jury or judicial decision-making.

Ongoing research projects include studying the impact of victim impact statements on sentencing, developing methods to improve witness recall, and investigating objectivity in sexual assault nursing examinations. The lab emphasizes a student-centered approach, allowing undergraduate researchers to participate in all stages of the scientific process, including methodology brainstorming, literature reviews, survey design, and data analysis.

Michael R. Hoane, chair of the Department of Counseling and Psychology, noted that the lab aligns with updated undergraduate curricula designed to provide high-impact experiential learning opportunities.