PSYC357: Forensic Psychology Intake 1 2024

Study Notes

Course and Faculty Details

Dr. Tracey Woolrych leads the PSYC357 – Forensic Psychology course with contact via [email protected].
Other academics involved include Dr. Briony Larance and tutor Camellia Wong, who can be reached at their respective emails.
Major textbook: Introduction to Forensic and Criminal Psychology (7th Ed.) by Dennis Howitt.

Subject Learning Outcomes

Identify key concepts and terms in forensic psychology.
Describe and apply theories of criminal behavior.
Understand application of psychological principles to criminal justice populations.
Critically analyze ongoing research in forensic and criminal psychology.
Grasp principles of forensic assessment and mental illness definitions in legal contexts.

Definition and Origin of Forensic Psychology

"Forensic" originates from Latin forensis, meaning public or forum.
Forensic psychology involves applying scientific methods and principles within the legal system.

The Role of Jurors

Jurors' decisions can be subjective, influenced by personal biases and the opinions of peers.
Jurors may lack full understanding of the evidence presented and often fail to weigh it equally.
External motives (e.g., personal schedules) can affect juror deliberations, leading to faulty reasoning.

Roles of Forensic Psychologists

According to Howard (1981), forensic psychologists perform clinical, experimental, actuarial, and advisory roles.
Clinical roles include conducting psychological evaluations and psychometric testing.
Experimental roles encompass research on topics like eyewitness testimony for defense or prosecution.
Actuarial roles involve statistical analysis of behavioral data, using probabilistic reasoning.

Historical Context of Insanity Defense

The M'Naghten Rule (1843) set a precedent concerning the understanding of mental illness in legal defenses.
The rule established that a defendant must not understand the nature or quality of their act due to a mental defect.

Development of Expert Witnesses in Forensic Psychology

Involvement of psychologists as expert witnesses in U.S. courts marked significant growth in forensic psychology.
The 1962 case Jenkins v. United States allowed psychologists to provide expert insights on mental illness relating to criminal acts.
This ruling challenged the monopoly of medical professionals over mental disease expertise.

Understanding Crime

Crime is a culturally defined concept and varies by social class and legal enforcement.
Criminal behavior intertwines with unconscious motives reflecting psychological conflict.

Sociological Theories of Crime

Structural explanations attribute crime to dysfunctional social arrangements preventing legitimate success.
Subcultural explanations suggest crime emerges from cultural values that conflict with societal norms.

Desistance from Crime

Earliest theories equated desistance with biological maturation (Goring, 1919).
Age was recognized as a predictor of desistance but lacked nuance regarding its interpretation (Sampson and Laub, 1992).
Later theories (Clarke and Cornish, 1985) emphasized volition in desistance, supported by qualitative evidence from former criminals (Cusson and Pinsonneault, 1986) highlighting factors like personal reassessment and awareness of consequences.

Description

Get familiar with the subject overview and learning outcomes of Forensic Psychology, covering major terms, concepts, theories of criminal behavior, and more. Learn about the academics and tutors involved in the course. This quiz is specifically designed for students of PSYC357 Intake 1 2024.