Daniel A. Krauss

Daniel A. Krauss serves as the Crown Professor of Psychology and George R. Roberts Fellow in the Department of Psychological Science at Claremont McKenna College. A dual J.D./Ph.D. graduate from the University of Arizona, he directs the Psychology Law Policy Lab and has established himself as a leading scholar at the intersection of psychological science and legal institutions.

His educational foundation includes:

• B.A. in Psychology from The Johns Hopkins University (Phi Beta Kappa)
• M.A., J.D., and Ph.D. (Clinical-Psychology, Policy & Law) from the University of Arizona

Krauss's research critically examines how psychological principles inform legal processes, with particular focus on jury comprehension of expert testimony, validity of forensic assessments, and systemic biases in criminal justice algorithms. His work demonstrates how psychological science can correct legal misconceptions—such as his 2024 Scientific American analysis exposing flaws in child pornography offender algorithms. He investigates the tension between public perceptions of "crime control theater" and evidence-based policy through experimental studies of juror decision-making and risk assessment communication.

His prolific scholarship reveals consistent thematic evolution toward practical applications: from foundational textbook development (5 editions of Forensic and Legal Psychology) to contemporary critiques of algorithmic justice and Supreme Court jurisprudence. Recent publications increasingly address digital-age challenges in forensic assessment while maintaining empirical rigor in jury simulation research.

Major recognitions include:

• Crown Professorship and Roberts Fellowship (2024)
• APA Division 41 Outstanding Mentoring and Teaching Award (2022)
• ABPP Forensic Specialty Award (2020)
• Western Psychological Association Teaching Award (2019)

As a dedicated mentor, Krauss received APA's top teaching award for guiding students through complex legal-psychological intersections. His Supreme Court Fellowship (2002-2003) directly informed research on sentencing guidelines, while current grants support his lab's work on algorithmic transparency and jury decision aids. He actively shapes policy through amicus brief contributions and operational psychology guidelines development.

The Psychology Law Policy Lab (psychologylawpolicylab.com) serves as his research hub, conducting empirical studies on forensic assessment validity and public perceptions of legal processes. The lab's current projects examine risk communication formats for sexually violent predator determinations and cross-cultural applications of forensic assessment tools in international courts.