Affiliation:
1. Yale Law School, New Haven, USA
Abstract
This article reviews the contributions of social/organizational psychology to social reform in the area of law and legal institutions. Social/organizational psychology provides theoretical models for legal authority based on popular legitimacy, something that is created and maintained when laws are created and when legal authority is implemented through just procedures. This alternative model provides a contrast to the generally dominant deterrence model and, when adopted, leads to a more desirable relationship between community members and legal authorities because it motivates not only compliance but also cooperation with legal authorities and community engagement.