Child Testimony and Truth-Lie Research

Children under 14 no longer need to pass a competency inquiry and can testifiy by answering simple questions.

It is assumed that children can communicate effectively unless proven otherwise, unlike adults whose competency is automatically assumed.

The premise is that legal personnel and jurors must assess children's believability, as mistakes can lead to severe consequences.

<p>Researchers question whether young children understand the concept of a promise, especially those under age 4.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>About two thirds of children do not lie.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Previously, there had to be physical evidence supporting unsworn testimony provided by children.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>It suggests that knowing what a lie is does not necessarily mean children will engage in lying behavior.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Visual cues associated with lying are harder to interpret in children than in adults, creating challenges in assessments.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Protective factors include self-efficacy, supportive family, positive school environment, and strong peer relationships.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>They are assessed through behavior checklists from parents and teachers that evaluate anxiety, depression, aggression, and social interactions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Context is important because some behaviors may be temporary reactions to development rather than indicators of chronic issues.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Primary prevention aims to stop violence before it occurs, secondary reduces the frequency of problematic acts, and tertiary focuses on preventing future occurrences after incidents have happened.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Parenting classes often have high attrition rates and may not result in significant behavioral changes in children.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Programs like 'Scared Straight' may inadvertently increase antisocial behavior by exposing children to criminal environments.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Psychological assessments require consent from both the parent and the child, focusing on inconsistencies in behaviors across different environments.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Gender-specific factors include a history of self-injury, economic hardship, and unhealthy relationships, which can lead to criminal acts primarily aimed at supporting children.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Protective factors help by providing positive role models and encouraging healthier emotional responses rather than negative behaviors.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Common diagnoses include ADHD, Conduct Disorder, and Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD).</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Marriage serves as a protective factor for men, while it can act as a risk factor for women by pushing them to conform to their husbands' desires.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The LSI-R predicts general recidivism in women as effectively as it does in men, even for women previously convicted of serious violent offenses.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Examples of gender-specific tools include the Youth Assessment Screening Inventory for girls and the Service Planning Inventory for Women (SPIN).</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Empowerment is a critical principle, helping women recognize that they do not need to answer to a man.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Neglect is the most common form of child abuse, and disclosure is complicated because children are often reluctant to speak up.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Parental problems such as unemployment, substance abuse, and mental illness are related to a higher risk of child abuse.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Victims of sexual abuse may experience poorer conflict resolution skills, increased depression, and a higher likelihood of substance abuse.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Resilience can be promoted through having a stable, non-abusive parent and engagement in positive community activities.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Children are at the highest risk for abuse from infancy to age four due to their vulnerability and inability to articulate their experiences.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The family plays a significant role in the responsivity principle, necessitating careful consideration of family dynamics in treatment planning for women.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Statistical risk factors are features that do not change over time and cannot be altered with treatment, such as experiencing abuse or growing up in poverty.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Dynamic risk factors are characteristics that can change over time and can be influenced by treatment, such as substance abuse or social relationships.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The four categories are historical, dispositional, clinical, and contextual.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Protective factors reduce the likelihood of violence by enhancing social support and fostering positive behaviors in high-risk offenders.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The primary goal is to identify factors strongly associated with criminal behavior to inform intervention strategies.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The Big Four are a history of antisocial behavior, antisocial personality, antisocial associates, and antisocial cognition.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The Central Eight includes the Big Four plus family/marital relationships, school/work, leisure/recreation, and substance abuse.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Situational factors can act as both risk and protective factors depending on the experiences within these contexts.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Addressing individual criminogenic needs is vital as treatment must target specific risk factors to be effective.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Prenatal complications can affect a person's development, potentially leading to increased behavioral problems.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The base rate problem refers to the difficulty in making accurate predictions due to the low number of individuals who commit crimes, particularly in specific populations.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Cultural background significantly impacts both risk and protective factors, making it essential for personalized assessments.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Minor risk factors include personal or emotional distress and low IQ, which can influence a person's decision-making and ability to conceal criminal actions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Leisure activities can be protective if they involve positive engagement but can be risky if they lead to antisocial behaviors.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Working memory is taxed when a child lies, affecting their ability to maintain the lie over time.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Cues that may indicate lying in adults do not necessarily indicate lying in children, as children's behavior is influenced by different cognitive and social factors.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Parents may coach their children to lie, consciously or unconsciously, often to protect themselves or conceal their actions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Parenting styles significantly influence a child's willingness to lie, as authoritative or permissive styles may either encourage or discourage deceitful behavior.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>It is difficult to provide evidence that a child has been coached, as there are often no tangible signs of coaching present in a child's testimony.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Coached children are often found to be more believable than both those who fabricate their own stories and those telling the truth.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Courtroom preparation teaches child witnesses about procedures and helps reduce stress, thereby improving their ability to communicate effectively during testimony.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Accommodations may include the use of screens during testimony and closed-circuit displays to shield the child from direct confrontation with the accused.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>There is a strong link between biological factors, such as antisocial behavior in biological fathers, and similar tendencies in adopted children.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Children who have witnessed aggression, such as domestic violence, may replicate these behaviors, demonstrating the cycle of violence.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Individual differences are crucial in understanding criminal behavior as they highlight the unique circumstances and factors influencing each offender.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The PIC-R model suggests that criminal behavior results from various personal, interpersonal, and community factors that interact in specific ways.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The CBCA examines emotional discussions and unusual details in a child's narrative as indicators of truthfulness.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Professionals may suspect coaching when a child's account appears overly rehearsed or aligns too closely with an adult's narrative.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Excessive exposure to violent television and video games has been positively correlated with the development of antisocial behavior in children.</p> Signup and view all the answers

A process to determine if a child is able to understand and answer questions in court

Giving testimony without taking an oath to tell the truth.

Studies on children's understanding of truth and lies

A research method (like the marshmallow test) that observes how a child reacts to a temptation.

Changes to Canadian rules about children testifying in court (simpler questions for competency).

Involves a promise to tell the truth and often entails using religious objects (like a Bible).

The assessment of whether or not a child's testimony is credible.

Adults' assumptions about body language that signal dishonesty might not be accurate for children.

Factors that reduce the likelihood of criminal behavior by reducing exposure to risk, breaking negative cycles, promoting self-esteem, and providing opportunities.

The ability of a child to overcome adversity and achieve positive outcomes despite facing risk factors.

Mental health issues that manifest inwardly, like anxiety, depression, or withdrawal.

Behavioral issues that manifest outwardly, like aggression, bullying, or disruptive behavior.

A child's emotional and cognitive connection to school, including engagement and motivation.

Active participation in behaviors that violate societal norms, like delinquency or aggression.

Intervention strategies aimed at preventing violence before it occurs.

Intervention strategies aimed at reducing the frequency of violent acts.

Intervention strategies aimed at preventing reoccurrence of violence after it has already happened.

A comprehensive strategy that addresses multiple aspects of the problem, including family, school, and community factors.

Children lie for various reasons, including concealing parental misdeeds or following parental coaching.

Parents may unintentionally or intentionally guide children to give specific answers, potentially impacting court testimonies.

Children coached to lie are often perceived as more believable than those telling the truth, even when using lie-detection techniques.

A method of analyzing children's statements to assess truthfulness based on specific criteria like emotion, detail, and language.

Programs teaching children courtroom procedures, etiquette, and stress-reduction in preparation for testimony.

Legal changes aimed at enhancing the comfort and well-being of child witnesses in the courtroom like screens or closed-circuit facilities.

Biological factors can sometimes be linked potentially to behaviours like antisocial behaviours like impulsivity due to possible less frontal lobe inhibition.

Cognitive deficits can exist potentially in certain contexts impacting behaviours linked to both reactive and proactive aggressions.

Aggression in children can be learned from observing and experiencing aggressive behaviour in their environment, including peers or family.

Understanding the unique characteristics and experiences of individuals helps in analyzing their behaviour.

A model suggesting that criminal behaviour is determined by a combination of personal, interpersonal, and community factors.

False claims of abuse or mistreatment often have roots in adult actions, often by mothers or relatives.

Techniques used to calm children during stressful situations like in a courtroom.

Methods for discerning the truth or falsity in statements, but not necessarily successful with children, especially when coached.

A factor that cannot be changed with time or treatment, such as growing up in poverty.

A factor that can change with time and treatment, such as substance abuse or anger management skills.

A risk factor that relates to events that happened in the past, such as childhood abuse.

A risk factor related to a person's traits, personality, or style, such as impulsivity.

A risk factor related to symptoms of mental disorders, such as depression.

A risk factor related to environmental factors, such as unemployment.

A method used in research where researchers consider all possible factors that might be associated with a behavior, instead of focusing on specific ones.

A person's individual major risk factors that contribute to their criminal behavior.

A challenge in predicting criminal behavior, especially for groups like women, where there are fewer individuals committing crimes.

Four major risk factors for violence: history of antisocial behavior, antisocial personality, antisocial associates, and antisocial cognition.

The Big Four plus four additional risk factors: family/marital issues, school/work issues, leisure/recreation issues, and substance abuse.

The idea that interventions should focus on dynamic risk factors that can be changed, such as substance abuse or anger management skills.

A risk factor that has a lesser impact on criminal behavior than major risk factors, such as low IQ or personal distress.

Understanding and addressing risk factors helps us understand and reduce criminal behavior, leading to better interventions and treatment plans.

Marriage is a protective factor for men's well-being but can be a risk factor for women due to potential pressures to conform to their husbands' desires.

The Level of Service Inventory - Revised (LSI-R) is a reliable tool for predicting recidivism in women, even for those convicted of serious violent crimes.

The use of the HCR-20 risk assessment tool for women is less clear-cut, with contradictory evidence.

New tools are being developed to assess risk and needs specifically for women, including the Youth Assessment Screening Inventory for girls, the Service Planning Inventory for Women (SPIN), and the Security Reclassification Scale for Women.

Treatment for women offenders should focus on empowering them to make meaningful choices, fostering their self-worth, and creating a supportive environment for growth.

It's important for women to acknowledge their responsibility for their actions, even if influenced by their husbands, to promote accountability and growth.

Neglect is the most prevalent type of child abuse, followed by physical abuse, with rates for boys and girls being similar.

Sexual abuse is more likely to be committed by non-parental relatives or individuals outside the family, in contrast to other forms of abuse.

Children are more likely to be removed from their homes for neglect compared to physical abuse or witnessing abuse.

Child abuse can occur regardless of age, sex, ethnicity, socio-economic status, or living arrangements. Parental problems like unemployment, substance abuse, and mental illness can contribute, as well as environmental factors like poverty and exposure to violence.