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Questions and Answers
What is the etymological origin of the term 'forensic'?
What is the etymological origin of the term 'forensic'?
Which researcher conducted early studies on witness accuracy, using questions and confidence ratings?
Which researcher conducted early studies on witness accuracy, using questions and confidence ratings?
How did William Stern contribute to the field of forensic psychology?
How did William Stern contribute to the field of forensic psychology?
Who is known for advocating the practical applications of psychology in legal contexts, publishing 'On the Witness Stand'?
Who is known for advocating the practical applications of psychology in legal contexts, publishing 'On the Witness Stand'?
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What was the primary focus of the research by Alfred Binet in relation to forensic psychology?
What was the primary focus of the research by Alfred Binet in relation to forensic psychology?
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What was the main finding of Stern's experiment where students summarized a dispute they had witnessed?
What was the main finding of Stern's experiment where students summarized a dispute they had witnessed?
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When did Lewis Terman begin applying psychological principles to law enforcement?
When did Lewis Terman begin applying psychological principles to law enforcement?
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Which psychologist testified in a murder trial about the effects of suggestibility on witness testimony?
Which psychologist testified in a murder trial about the effects of suggestibility on witness testimony?
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In a forensic interview, what is the primary goal in securing information?
In a forensic interview, what is the primary goal in securing information?
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What was the primary purpose of the Stanford-Binet test when it was initially used in a forensic setting?
What was the primary purpose of the Stanford-Binet test when it was initially used in a forensic setting?
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What is a key aspect of a forensic interview's approach, that is unlike a clinical interview?
What is a key aspect of a forensic interview's approach, that is unlike a clinical interview?
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Who is considered the 'client' in a typical forensic interview context?
Who is considered the 'client' in a typical forensic interview context?
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William Marston's research on systolic blood pressure led to the development of what forensic tool?
William Marston's research on systolic blood pressure led to the development of what forensic tool?
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Which best characterizes the approach to confidentiality in forensic interviews?
Which best characterizes the approach to confidentiality in forensic interviews?
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What is the significance of the Frye vs. United States case in the context of forensic psychology?
What is the significance of the Frye vs. United States case in the context of forensic psychology?
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What is the central focus of a forensic assessment when compared to a clinical assessment?
What is the central focus of a forensic assessment when compared to a clinical assessment?
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What was the crucial ruling in the 1940 People vs. Hawthorne case that influenced expert witness testimony?
What was the crucial ruling in the 1940 People vs. Hawthorne case that influenced expert witness testimony?
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Which of these events officially recognized forensic psychology as a specialization within the field of psychology?
Which of these events officially recognized forensic psychology as a specialization within the field of psychology?
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In a forensic assessment, as opposed to a clinical assessment, what dynamic is more likely to arise between psychologist and client?
In a forensic assessment, as opposed to a clinical assessment, what dynamic is more likely to arise between psychologist and client?
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Unlike clinical assessments, what specific client autonomy is characteristically missing in the forensic assessment process?
Unlike clinical assessments, what specific client autonomy is characteristically missing in the forensic assessment process?
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Which subfield of forensic psychology focuses on how jurors interact and make decisions in a group?
Which subfield of forensic psychology focuses on how jurors interact and make decisions in a group?
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In a forensic assessment scenario, what must the psychologist be particularly aware of in relation to the client's information?
In a forensic assessment scenario, what must the psychologist be particularly aware of in relation to the client's information?
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Which of the following best describes the work done in the subfield of Developmental Psychology in forensic settings?
Which of the following best describes the work done in the subfield of Developmental Psychology in forensic settings?
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What is the primary focus of Criminal Investigative Psychology?
What is the primary focus of Criminal Investigative Psychology?
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What is the primary goal of a forensic psychology evaluation?
What is the primary goal of a forensic psychology evaluation?
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In which of the following settings might a forensic psychology evaluation NOT take place?
In which of the following settings might a forensic psychology evaluation NOT take place?
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What is the term for a defendant's capacity to understand the legal proceedings and charges against them?
What is the term for a defendant's capacity to understand the legal proceedings and charges against them?
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What does the concept of 'criminal responsibility' primarily evaluate?
What does the concept of 'criminal responsibility' primarily evaluate?
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Why is the use of intoxication as a legal defense often challenging?
Why is the use of intoxication as a legal defense often challenging?
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Which of the following defenses is considered the most difficult to assess due to difficulties in verifying its authenticity?
Which of the following defenses is considered the most difficult to assess due to difficulties in verifying its authenticity?
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What is the primary challenge associated with using a diagnosis of dissociative identity disorder in legal defense?
What is the primary challenge associated with using a diagnosis of dissociative identity disorder in legal defense?
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What is the purpose of sentence mitigation in the context of forensic psychology?
What is the purpose of sentence mitigation in the context of forensic psychology?
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Which party can initiate a forensic psychology evaluation?
Which party can initiate a forensic psychology evaluation?
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What is the primary purpose of informing an evaluee about the non-therapeutic nature of the forensic evaluation?
What is the primary purpose of informing an evaluee about the non-therapeutic nature of the forensic evaluation?
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When is it acceptable for a forensic psychologist to prepare a report without a clinical interview?
When is it acceptable for a forensic psychologist to prepare a report without a clinical interview?
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What is the standard approach a forensic psychologist should take when considering confidentiality with an evaluee?
What is the standard approach a forensic psychologist should take when considering confidentiality with an evaluee?
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Why is it important to inform the examinee about how their information may be used?
Why is it important to inform the examinee about how their information may be used?
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What must be clearly explained to the individual being evaluated regarding the forensic psychologist's report?
What must be clearly explained to the individual being evaluated regarding the forensic psychologist's report?
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What is an acceptable approach if a lawyer wants to be present during a forensic evaluation?
What is an acceptable approach if a lawyer wants to be present during a forensic evaluation?
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What is the primary purpose of a forensic psychologist's evaluation and report, in relation to mitigation?
What is the primary purpose of a forensic psychologist's evaluation and report, in relation to mitigation?
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Study Notes
Forensic Psychology Definition
- "Forensic" is derived from Latin, meaning legal or judicial
- The word "forensis" literally means relating to the forum or market
- Forensic Psychology is the branch of psychology concerned with the production and application of psychological knowledge and principles within the legal process.
History of Forensic Psychology
- J. McKeen Cattell conducted early research on the psychology of testimony in 1895
- Cattell's experiments at Columbia University investigated the accuracy and confidence in eyewitness testimony
- His work sparked interest in other psychologists who continued to study eyewitness testimony.
- Alfred Binet replicated Cattell's work and studied other psychological experiments in relation to law and justice (Bartol, 2005)
- His work in intelligence testing also contributed to the development of forensic psychology
- William Stern studied eyewitness recall in a study of students witnessing a dispute, and discovered errors in recall associated with emotions (Stern, 1939).
- He also established the first academic journal devoted to applied psychology.
- Psychologists began acting as expert witnesses in criminal trials throughout Europe in the late 1800s.
- Albert von Schrenck-Notzing testified at a murder trial in 1896 about the effect of suggestibility on witness testimony.
- Hugo Munsterberg (often considered the first forensic psychologist) believed in practical applications of psychology in everyday life, contributing to the development of forensic psychology.
- In 1908, he published a book advocating the use of psychology in legal matters
- Stanford Psychologist Lewis Terman applied psychology to law enforcement in 1916, using revised intelligence tests to evaluate law enforcement personnel
- In 1917, William Marston (a student of Munsterberg) discovered a link between systolic blood pressure and lying, leading to the development of the polygraph.
- The Frye v. United States case (1923) established a precedent for expert witness use in courts, requiring procedures and assessments to be generally accepted within their field to be admissible as evidence.
- Significant growth in American forensic psychology post-World War II.
- Expert witness roles were not restricted to medical professionals; knowledge of the subject was the key factor, according to the courts.
- Forensic psychology has expanded in recent decades, with increased graduate programs offering psychology/law degrees or specialized forensic degrees.
- The American Psychological Association officially recognized forensic psychology as a specialization in 2001.
Subfields of Forensic Psychology
- Clinical-Forensic Psychology
- Deals with legal issues of individuals with mental health challenges and their impact on legal decisions
- Developmental Psychology
- Focuses on legal issues concerning children, adolescents, and older adults, emphasizing policy rather than treatment.
- Social Psychology
- Studies the interactions of jurors and how they form group decisions.
- Cognitive Psychology
- Research into how people make decisions in legal settings. This field closely relates to social psychology
- Criminal Investigative Psychology
- Focuses on analyzing criminal behavior, focusing on profiling and psychological autopsy.
Differences between Forensic and Clinical Psychology
- Goal: Forensic psychology focuses on obtaining accurate information, while clinical focuses on treating symptoms
- Focus: Forensic focuses on facts and accurate recall of events, clinical focuses on therapeutic approaches to understanding events (attributions, perceptions)
- Relationship with client: Forensic is adversarial (focused on the legal matter),clinical is therapeutic (focused on the client's well-being)
- Confidentiality: Forensic confidentiality is usually restricted, clinical has traditional confidentiality
- Questions: Forensic is mandated by court, clinical is posed by the client
- Interview strategies: Forensic interviews are formal and restricted, clinical interviews vary
- Client competence: Forensic evaluates client competence, clinical often does not
Forensic Assessment
- Used when a psychologist is hired to answer legal questions (e.g., competency, insanity)
- Involves clinical interviews, review of records, psychological tests, and a resultant opinion to answer the legal question
- Many different techniques are employed
- The psychologist acts as an expert witness
- Forensic interviews and legal assessments differ greatly from clinical interviews and assessments.
Roles of a Forensic Psychologist
- Competency to stand trial: assesses the defendant's mental capacity to understand legal procedures and charges
- Criminal responsibility: assesses the defendant's mental state during the alleged offense in relation to their culpability (insanity plea)
- Other defenses: such as intoxication, amnesia, dissociative identity disorder
- Prediction of violent behavior: assesses the tendency of individuals to commit future acts of violence
Ethical Considerations in Forensic Psychology
- Identification of the client (and their representatives)
- Informed consent (and related details) - the disclosure of relevant information to the individual
- Confidentiality (often restricted)
- Presence of lawyer, (sometimes required)
- Multicultural awareness - psychologists have a responsibility to understand and consider multiple cultures, and the potential biases in those cultures in their interpretations
Producing Forensic Reports
- Producing reports without a complete clinical interview is valid when impossible and sufficient collateral information is acquired to form an opinion with clinical certainty. Clearly stated limitations are important for integrity in forensic practice.
Additional Information
- Ethical and ethical responsibilities - different standards and limits apply.
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Description
Explore the essential concepts and historical figures in forensic psychology through this quiz. Delve into the etymology of 'forensic' and learn about key research and experiments that shaped the field. Test your knowledge on the contributions of notable psychologists and the practical applications of psychology in legal contexts.
