Forensic Psychology Overview

Study Notes

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

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

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

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 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

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

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 (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 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.

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.