Forensic Psychology Overview
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Questions and Answers

What are the benefits of having laws?

Laws provide order, safety, and a means to resolve conflicts.

What is forensic psychology?

Forensic psychology applies psychological principles to legal matters.

What does "confidence did not equal correctness" mean in the context of eyewitness testimony?

It means that a confident witness is not necessarily a reliable one.

According to the realist movement, laws should remain static and unchanging to ensure stability.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The criminal justice system primarily aims to discover the complete truth during trials.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the two major models of the criminal justice system?

<p>Due Process Model and Crime Control Model (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a key principle used in making sentencing decisions?

<p>Principle of mercy (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main goal of therapeutic jurisprudence?

<p>To promote positive mental health outcomes within the legal system.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a core component of therapeutic jurisprudence?

<p>Punishment-focused approach (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a "psycholegal soft spot"?

<p>Areas in the legal system where intervention could lead to negative psychological consequences.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Forensic Psychology

The application of psychological principles to legal issues.

Eyewitness Testimony

A description of an event by someone who saw it.

Realist Movement

Law should be evaluated based on its effects and serve society's needs.

Psychology in Legal Proceedings

The use of psychological knowledge in court, involving assessments of witnesses and defendants.

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Forensic Psychologist Roles

Includes police, legal psychology, psych of crime, psych of victims, and correctional psychology.

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Consensus View of Law

Society generally agrees on what behaviors are acceptable and unacceptable.

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Conflict View of Law

Society is made up of different groups with conflicting interests, shaping the law.

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Interactionist View of Law

People shape their behavior based on learned meanings and perceptions.

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Individual Rights vs. Common Good

Balancing individual liberties with the well-being of society.

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Due Process Model

Presumes innocence, requiring fair treatment of suspects.

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Crime Control Model

Prioritizes apprehending and punishing criminals.

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Equality vs. Discretion in Law

Balancing consistent application of the law with individualized consideration for specific cases.

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Principle of Proportionality

Punishment should fit the crime.

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Sentencing Disparity

Variations in penalties for similar crimes.

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Implicit Bias

Unconscious biases that affect decisions.

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Determinate Sentencing

Fixed sentences for specific crimes.

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Truth vs. Conflict Resolution

Balancing the pursuit of truth with the need to resolve legal disputes.

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Plea Bargaining

Negotiating a guilty plea for a less severe sentence.

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Settlement Negotiation

Negotiating a resolution to civil disputes without a trial.

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Therapeutic Jurisprudence

A legal approach that focuses on the psychological well-being of participants in the legal system.

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Mental Health Court

A court that provides treatment for mentally ill defendants.

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Attribution Theory

Explaining behavior by attributing causes to internal or external factors.

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Study Notes

Forensic Psychology

  • Forensic psychology encompasses anything related to law
  • Key factors influencing the definition: the degree of narrowness and breadth of the field itself, the relationship between research and practice, and the application and practical use as it applies to legal matters
  • Forensic psychologists work with legal, contractual and administrative matters
  • Forensic practice encompasses how psychological knowledge is applied to law, emphasizing research

History of Forensic Psychology

  • Key figures in the early 19th century included Cattell and research on eyewitness testimony
  • Early insights highlighted discrepancies between confidence and correctness in eyewitness accounts and the influence of external factors on judgment
  • Emphasis on the role of the father of psych and law regarding influences on women in the workplace and the development of psych inquiry in law
  • The study of law and behavior, particularly as presented by Llewellyn, recognized the significance of societal change in its context with the law

Implications of Law and Psychology

  • Society evolves at a faster pace than law; laws need constant review to ensure they continue supporting societal needs
  • Law should not be the ultimate goal; it is a means to achieve social aims or ends
  • Modern psychology plays a critical role in evaluating the impact of law, including its effectiveness and suitability in societal contexts

Forensic Psychology Subspecialties

  • Police Psychology: focuses on the clinical and practical skills for law enforcement and public safety
  • Legal Psychology: involves the role of psychology in court settings, including jury selection, assessment of competency, and insanity defense
  • Criminal Psychology: explores the behavioral and mental processes of offenders, aiming to reduce criminal behavior
  • Victim Psychology: examines the experiences of persons who experience harm from crimes, focusing on research, education, and policy
  • Correctional Psychology: involves applying psychological principles to correctional systems and evaluating inmates

Laws as Human Creation

  • Laws are dynamic and evolve based on societal needs for order, safety, and change
  • Legal systems help manage disagreements, protect rights, and resolve conflicts that may arise.

  • Laws reflect the evolving and challenging relationship between people’s actions and rights

Psychological Study of Law

  • Individual behavior is shaped by personal qualities and the external environment or context
  • External environment pressures, contextually and situationally, influence human behavior, which is considered relevant to legal decisions

Basic Choices in the Psychological Study of Law

  • Laws frequently present dilemmas because rights for one might be problematic for others
  • Conflicts may arise when various goals are incompatible or when values or choices vary in importance
  • Balancing rights of the individual against the common good is a key issue in law and society
  • Two primary models for how legal systems function: the rights of individuals must be protected, and a system to control crime that ensures that lawbreakers are apprehended and punished, and hence contained

Equality vs Discretion

  • Equality (in the legal system) emphasizes similar treatment for similar crimes committed by comparable individuals
  • Discretion involves the consideration of unique circumstances in assessing culpability and determining the appropriate response.

Truth vs Conflict Resolution/Justice

  • Truth and conflict resolution need to balance perspectives and goals related to individual rights, social justice, and the need for resolving disputes
  • Procedural justice aims to resolve these disputes in fair ways by acknowledging and considering the perspectives of both sides while determining the fairest process.

Science vs Law

  • Law often relies on authority, precedence and case method
  • Psychology relies on scientific methods such as empirical research, experiments and the application of scientific data.

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Related Documents

Chapter 1: Introduction to Law and Psychology PDF

Description

Explore the field of forensic psychology, focusing on its applications in legal matters and the relationship between research and practice. Learn about the historical development of the field, including key figures and insights into eyewitness testimony. This quiz will deepen your understanding of how psychology intersects with the law.

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