Legal Psychology and Criminal Justice

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary focus of forensic psychology?

Investigating criminal behavior and applying psychological principles to criminal justice (correct)

Conducting research on human behavior in legal contexts

Examining the effectiveness of legal interventions and policies

Understanding and treating mental disorders in the legal system

Which of the following is NOT a common area of research in forensic psychology?

Cognitive biases in decision-making

Lie detection

Treatment of mental disorders in patients (correct)

Eyewitness identification

The Steve Titus case illustrates the potential for what problem in the legal system?

Overly cautious juries

Lack of access to legal counsel

Overly lenient sentencing

Misidentification of suspects (correct)

What type of research design involves different groups of participants experiencing different conditions?

Between-subjects design Signup and view all the answers

In an experimental design, the manipulated variable that is expected to influence the dependent variable is known as the:

Independent variable Signup and view all the answers

The Paul Ingram case is an example of:

The dangers of suggestive questioning Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a key difference between forensic psychology and legal psychology?

Forensic psychology uses empirical research, while legal psychology relies on legal precedent. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between between-subjects and within-subjects designs in experimental research?

Between-subjects designs compare different groups of participants, while within-subjects designs compare the same participants across different conditions. Signup and view all the answers

What was Paul Ingram believed to have repressed?

Memories of satanic rituals Signup and view all the answers

Which psychologist suggested that Paul Ingram's memories were false?

Dr. Frederick Ofshe Signup and view all the answers

What was the main evidence that led to the acquittal of the five young men in the Central Park Joggers case?

DNA evidence Signup and view all the answers

Who confessed to the Central Park Joggers case in 2002?

Matias Reyes Signup and view all the answers

Why is the history of psychology and law considered complex?

It overlaps with other related fields Signup and view all the answers

What was the length of imprisonment faced by the five young men in the Central Park Joggers case before acquittal?

5-15 years Signup and view all the answers

What did Paul Ingram's false account involve?

Forcing his children to have incest Signup and view all the answers

What type of church was the Ingram family a member of?

Pentecostal Signup and view all the answers

Who wrote "On the Witness Stand" and is often considered to have written the most important book on psychology and law?

Hugo Munsterberg Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following individuals is NOT mentioned in the passage as contributing to the development of psychology and law?

Sigmund Freud Signup and view all the answers

What is "Psychologie der Aussage" primarily focused on?

Statements, suggestibility, and memory Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the "drama experiment/reality experiment"?

A staged event used to study witness behavior Signup and view all the answers

What was a major obstacle faced by psychologists such as Stern during the war?

Being Jewish and facing persecution Signup and view all the answers

What is the key recommendation regarding questioning children in Stern's work?

Children should be questioned in a comfortable and timely manner Signup and view all the answers

What is the main takeaway regarding the history of psychology in law as depicted in the passage?

The field has experienced significant growth and development Signup and view all the answers

Who wrote "La Suggestibilité", which was related to the work of Wilhelm Stern?

Alfred Binet Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of psychology is crucial for ensuring reliability in legal testimonies?

Trauma and testimony Signup and view all the answers

Which method is characteristic of legal psychology research compared to traditional psychology?

A priori method Signup and view all the answers

In what way do cognitive biases impact legal decision-making?

They can distort how evidence is evaluated. Signup and view all the answers

Which professionals are predominantly affected by understanding lying and deception detection in legal psychology?

Police, judges, and lawyers Signup and view all the answers

What is a major focus of research within the field of criminological and experimental legal psychology?

Reliability of statements during interrogations Signup and view all the answers

What was emphasized in the early work on eyewitness testimony?

The discovery of truth Signup and view all the answers

Who edited the review book 'Legal and Criminal Psychology'?

Hans Toch Signup and view all the answers

Which psychologist discussed the impact of suggestion on children as early as 1911?

Varendonck Signup and view all the answers

What topic gained significant attention starting in the 1970s?

Fallibility of eyewitness testimony Signup and view all the answers

The Central Park Joggers case is most associated with which of the following?

False Confession Signup and view all the answers

What does the project Voordeel van de Twijfel investigate?

Wrongful convictions Signup and view all the answers

What research method does Prof. Howe use in his study on false memories?

Between-subjects Signup and view all the answers

Who is recognized as a key figure in the study of psychopathy in the contemporary context?

Robert Hare Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Psychology, Law, and Criminal Justice

This is a course offered by Professor Dr. Henry Otgaar.
The course is part of a Criminological and Experimental Legal Psychology Lab.

Criminological and Experimental Legal Psychology Lab (CELL)

The lab focuses on research, education, and training.
They conduct expert witness work for courts, police, and child protection.

Research

Topics include: reliability of statements, interrogation and interviewing, trauma and testimony, cognitive biases, and legal decision-making.

Legal Psychology/Psychology and Law

This area of study explores behavioral phenomena important for the courtroom.
Key topics include the reliability of testimony, lying/deception detection, and the roles of professionals (e.g., police, judges, lawyers).
It investigates how evidence (e.g., statements) are interpreted in legal contexts.

Legal Psychology vs. Forensic Psychology

Legal psychology relies on experimental/cognitive psychology (e.g., memory).
Forensic psychology is based on clinical psychology (e.g., psychopathy).
Both use empirical and field research.

Timely Topic Example

Collaborative storytelling is a legal defense strategy in a case.

Case Study: Steve Titus

October 12, 1980
Nancy was raped.
She identified Steve in a suggestive line-up.
Steve was convicted.
Edward Lee King was the actual rapist.

Experimental Research Methodology

Independent variable: manipulated variable (e.g., sleep deprivation).
Dependent variable: measured variable (e.g., false confession).
Research design types: between subjects, within subjects, mixed designs, single case studies.

Case Study: Paul Ingram

Case about recovered memories.
Fall 1988
Ericka and Julie (22 and 18 years old)
Recovered memories of satanic abuse.
Ingram family were members of a Pentecostal church.
Paul Ingram was interrogated and thought he repressed memories.
Psychologist suggested incest between his kids.
He provided a false account of memories.

Case Study: Central Park Joggers Case

April 19, 1989
Trisha Meili was raped.
Five young men were arrested and initially confessed.
Later, DNA evidence proved their innocence.
Matias Reyes confessed later and was proven guilty by DNA evidence.

History of Psychology and Law

The history is not a distinct line but overlaps with other fields such as forensic psychology.
A complete overview of key players isn't always possible.
The psychology of testimony has been a constant concern since ancient Greece.
Key figures like Hans Gross, Münsterberg, and Stern contributed to the field.
Work by Elizabeth Loftus addressed eyewitness testimony fallibility.
Psychology and law often focused on understanding truth.
Important areas of research include false memories, false confessions, and interrogations.

Practice Questions

Central Park Joggers example of: false confessions, deceitful confessions.
The Voordeel van de Twijfel project investigates: wrongful convictions.
Professor Howe's research on sleep deprivation and false memories employed which method? Between subjects.
Forensic psychology is concerned with: clinical psychology.

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Description

Explore the intersection of psychology and law in this comprehensive quiz. Test your knowledge on topics such as the reliability of statements, deception detection, and the psychological aspects that affect legal decision-making. Delve into the research conducted in the Criminological and Experimental Legal Psychology Lab.

Legal Psychology and Criminal Justice - CELL

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