The Law Shapes the Mind: Structural‐Level Influence on Individual‐Level Psychology

ABSTRACT

The law is a prominent institutional pillar in societal structure, yet psychology has not seriously contended with the way the law shapes individuals views and perceptions of the world. Both the law and the individual mind are mutually constructive entities. Drawing from social psychological theories, such as The Culture Cycle and Situated Cognition, as well as cross disciplinary perspectives from sociology and legal studies, this article outlines the process by which the law impacts individuals. By introducing the theoretical concept of Legal Enculturation—the dynamic process by which the legal system defines our individual psychologies—this article offers a new approach to critically assess human attitudes and behaviors in psychological science.