Psychology & Crime PDF

Psychology & Crime Dr. Meghana Srivatsa Disclaimer Trigger Warning: As the title of this course suggests, we will be discussing all sorts of CRIME, mental health issues related to crime, criminal behaviours, etc. If any of the related topics is TRIGGERING to anyone here, this cou...

Psychology & Crime Dr. Meghana Srivatsa Disclaimer Trigger Warning: As the title of this course suggests, we will be discussing all sorts of CRIME, mental health issues related to crime, criminal behaviours, etc. If any of the related topics is TRIGGERING to anyone here, this course isn’t for you. You may decide to leave the course now, but if you continue the class today, you will be expected to complete the course. Attendance: You are allowed a 5-minute leeway to enter the class in case of an unexpected event. If you are late beyond 5 minutes or leave the class in between for more than 5 minutes, your attendance will be deducted for the class. If you have a medical emergency, please send an email requesting leave for the same. Disclaimer Assignment Deadlines: You will have 3 assignments and one end of the semester written exam. Details of the assignments will be given early week of every month and 3 weeks to complete them. It is expected that the assignments will be submitted on or before the deadlines. No nudges will be given to submit them post deadlines and will be marked as a non-submission. Lecture Notes & Class Interactions: Notes will be given for every lecture. You do not have to take down notes actively during lectures. It is hence expected that all students pay attention and participate in class interactions. These classes will be collaborative and immersive. All students are expected to interact and will be marked for class participation. Some assignments are part of learning and will happen during class hours. Presence of students during all lectures is hence important. Assignments 1. Critical review of a case- A vignette of a crime will be given by the first week of September. You will need to submit a critical psychological overview of the case with your understanding of the theories of crime. Deadline 30th September. Weight - 20%. 2. Roleplay performances- Topics related to Investigative Interviewing will be given to teams of 2 (or 3 in case of odd nos.). We will have roleplays during our 2-hour sessions. Teams can be created beginning of the semester and will be completed latest by end of October. Weight - 20%. 3. Poster Presentation: You will be making an academic poster related to a topic of your choice covered during the semester. No two students will repeat the same topic. The poster will entail an understanding of topics through literature reviews and critical analysis of methodologies used. Deadline mid November. Weight-20%. 4. End semester exam- December (as per set date). Written. A mix of multiple choice, true or false, fill in blanks worth 15 marks. One short answer 5 marks (150 words). One long answer 10 marks (300 words). Weight 30% 5. Class participation- 10% Myth or Fact 1. Forensic psychologists can determine if someone is lying just by observing their body language. 1. Myth While body language can provide clues, it is not a reliable standalone indicator of deception. Forensic psychologists use a combination of methods, including psychological assessments and interviews, to evaluate truthfulness. Myth or Fact 2. Forensic psychologists are mainly involved in criminal investigations and rarely work on civil cases. 2. Myth Forensic psychologists work in both criminal and civil contexts. In civil cases, they may be involved in issues like custody disputes, personal injury claims, and competency evaluations. Myth or Fact 3. Criminal profiling is a precise science that can always predict a criminal’s identity accurately. 3. Myth Criminal profiling is not an exact science. It provides a possible profile of the perpetrator based on patterns and behaviors, but it cannot always accurately predict a criminal’s identity. Myth or Fact 4. Psychopathy and sociopathy are terms that are often used interchangeably in forensic psychology. Psychopaths are classified as people with little or no conscience but are able to follow social conventions when it suits their needs. Sociopaths have a limited, albeit weak, ability to feel empathy and remorse. They're also more likely to fly off the handle and react violently when confronted by the consequences of their actions. 4. Fact Although often used interchangeably in popular media, psychopathy and sociopathy have distinct characteristics. Both fall under the umbrella of antisocial personality disorders, but they differ in traits and behaviors. Myth or Fact 5. Forensic psychologists can use lie detector tests (polygraphs) as evidence in court. 5. Myth Polygraphs are not generally admissible in court as evidence due to concerns about their accuracy and reliability. Forensic psychologists may use them in investigations, but they are not considered definitive proof of deception. Myth or Fact 6. Forensic psychologists often use hypnosis to uncover hidden memories during criminal investigations. 6. Myth Hypnosis is rarely used in modern forensic psychology due to concerns about its reliability and the potential for creating false memories. More reliable methods are preferred for investigating memories. Myth or Fact 7. Forensic psychologists frequently testify as expert witnesses in court cases. 7. Fact Forensic psychologists often serve as expert witnesses, providing testimony on psychological assessments, competency evaluations, and other relevant issues in court. Myth or Fact 8. Forensic psychologists are involved in providing training to law enforcement on understanding psychological issues 8. Fact Forensic psychologists often provide training to law enforcement and other professionals on various psychological issues, including crisis intervention and recognizing mental health disorders. 1. Introduction to Psychology & Crime Consider the following cases: i. A body is found in a gunny bag outside a warehouse. Witnesses see the strange looking bag lying there early morning and go close to explore it. They identify outlines of a human body and immediately alert the police. The police then come to the scene and alert the forensic department to screen the crime scene for evidence. ii. An aged woman is forcibly admitted into a geriatric home by her children. They claim that she is mentally unsound. She claims that they forcibly made her sign the property papers and is taking her rights away to live in her own home. Forensic experts were called in to check the veracity of the documents. iii. A man complained to the police of losing all his money in an online transaction while he was trying to make a purchase of secondhand furniture. A forensics team was called in to trace the transaction and the seller. As all these examples indicate, the term forensic refers to anything pertaining to law, both civil and criminal. Forensic scientists participate in the investigation of major crimes—not necessarily violent ones—and are present at many accident scenes. The Forensic Sciences Absolutely any subject of study can have a forensic angle to it if it pertains to law. E.g., Pathology, Anthropology, Chemistry, Biology, Linguistics, etc. These departments collaborate within a forensic laboratory setup. Forensic laboratories are usually maintained or sponsored by governmental agencies specifically to examine physical evidence in criminal and civil matters. Most of these “sciences” use technology that provide exact information that can be used as evidence. But that’s where Psychology differs. The “evidence” gathered from forensic psychological techniques can only be used as an aid to investigation, and not as primary evidence in the court of law. What is Forensic Psychology? It is the application of psychological knowledge in civil and criminal justice systems. Forensic: means ‘of the courts’ Literal interpretation: ‘psychology of the courts’ Forensic Psychology is sometimes equated to Criminal Psychology, but they are different Criminal psychology relates to the psychology of criminal behaviour as well as the social context in which it occurs. (offender focused) such as What causes a person to offend? What are the motivations of certain types of offenders? How do we rehabilitate certain types of offenders? Are they being violent as a reaction to something particular? How is that person being treated in their upbringing? Was the person abused or neglected and has this led to their behaviour? History of Forensic Psychology The end of the 19th Century (1893) – J McKeen Cattell – Columbia University – first set of simple experiments in eyewitness testimony and memory. To this day, both memory and eyewitness research remain of high interest to many forensic psychologists 20th century - Research on human cognition, child development, abnormal behavior, the detection of deception, stress, juvenile and adult correctional treatment, etc. Such psychological knowledge gradually was introduced into legal proceedings in the form of expert testimony, first in civil courts and later, as the century wore on, in criminal courts Lewis Terman – WW2- introduced intelligence and aptitude testing to the military. 1981- Loh observed the strong relationship of psych and law. 1991- AP-LS was formed. 2001- FP was recognized as a specialty by the APA. Additional info: Focus 1.1. Selected Historical Benchmarks Pertinent to Forensic Psychology (Curt R Bartol – Introduction to Forensic Psychology; p52-p53) for more dates and happenings in the field. Forensic Psychology today Examples of things that forensic psychologists (depending on their specialty) may do: Private practice Family, drug, and mental health courts Child protection agencies Victim services Domestic violence courts and programs Forensic mental health units (governmental or private) Sex offender treatment programs Correctional institutions (including research programs) Law enforcement agencies (federal, state, or local) Research organizations (governmental or private) Colleges and universities (teaching or research) Juvenile delinquency treatment programs Legal advocacy centers (e.g., for immigrants, prisoners, the mentally ill or intellectually disabled)