Behavioral and Brain Sciences



Open Peer Commentary

Implications for law of a unified behavioral science


Owen D. Jones a1
a1 Departments of Law and Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37203-1181. owen.jones@vanderbilt.edu http://law.vanderbilt.edu/faculty/jones.html

Article author query
jones od   [PubMed][Google Scholar] 

Abstract

The argument for unifying behavioral sciences can be enhanced by highlighting concrete, vivid, and useful benefits that coherent behavioral models could provide. Shifting sets of behavioral assumptions underlie every legal system's efforts to modify behaviors by changing incentives in the legal environment. Consequently, where those assumptions are flawed, improved behavioral models could improve law's effectiveness and efficiency in regulating behavior.

(Published Online April 27 2007)