Psychology and Law Course Study Guide Exam 1 PDF

Study Guide for First Exam of CJC 377/PSYC 372 Psychology and Law Course **3 short answer and 3 true or false Q's** 1. **Name the [four Daubert Criteria,] know [how judges must apply the Daubert Standards] according to SCOTUS, the findings associated with [how well judges can discern val...

Study Guide for First Exam of CJC 377/PSYC 372 Psychology and Law Course **3 short answer and 3 true or false Q's** 1. **Name the [four Daubert Criteria,] know [how judges must apply the Daubert Standards] according to SCOTUS, the findings associated with [how well judges can discern valid science from junk science. ]** - Testability - Peer review - Error rate - General acceptance **[Judges apply the rule:]** By playing the **gatekeeper role**. Based on reliable testimony, scientific validity, avoid speculative or unreliable scientific opinions, and consider relevance. [**Findings in how well judges find junk science:** ] Judges' discernment varies, most lack scientific training or the credentials to validate true science from junk science but try there best to recognize it. 2. **Know the [Frye standard] and that most states use the Daubert Standard to assess what expert testimony or scientific evidence can be admitted in courts** **[Frye standard:]** [(]**more restrictive**[)] is an older test for determining the admissibility of scientific evidence in court. Testimony is only admissible if the underlying scientific principle is *"generally accepted*" by the relevant scientific community. (Judge will use the "scientific study' to see if it has been accepted by the community to **science is the gatekeeper**) **[Daubert standard:]** **(more flexible**) Mainly used to asses what expert testimony of scientific evidence can be admitted. (**Judge is gatekeeper** & needs only to use one criteria to make judgment) 3. **Be able to describe or identify how the legal field and psychology field are different** Law has existed longer, and the difference lies in ***empirical evidence.*** - **Law** focuses on history and "truth" is determined by what can be legally proven. - **Psychology** focuses on both present and future and explains & predicts. 4. **Be able to apply the three models of how psychology informs the legal field: social fact, social framework, social authority** **Social Fact:** (social science) **Data** that resolves disagreements **Social Framework:** (social science) **Research** that creates more context for court fact-finders **Social Authority:** (social science) **Research** that creates and or modifies legal rules 5. **What is the central purpose of an amicus curiae brief from the APA's perspective?** **Amicus Curiae**= friend of the court **Purpose=** to provide courts with empirical, researched-based psychological insights that inform legal decision making. 6. **(TO REMEMBER**) Know that **expert witnesses do not have immunity from civil lawsuits in some states and in the United Kingdom**, and that the **attorneys that hired experts can sue them for malpractice** in some states. 7. **The three models of how expert witnesses testify in courts and the countries covered in class that use each model** **Adversarial Model** (**USA & Israel**): Judge does NOT play a gatekeeper role in admission of expert testimony. **Appointed by the Court** (**Brazil**): All Qs are filtered through the judge. **Panel of Experts**: (**Australia**) Hot tubbing technique) 8. **Know what Neal et al (2019) found about the admission of psychological assessments in court and (TO REMEMBER) that attorneys rarely challenge junk science in court trials.** **[What Neal found about admission of psychological assessments:]** is that courts often admit psychological assessments, but their scientific quality varies. Many low-quality tests are used and judges and attorneys lack the proper discernment to asses them. 9. **Know how Dr. Phillip Goeff defines racism** Racism is not just an individual prejudice BUT is a **structural** and **systematic issue** embedded in institutions and policies. **Racism operates through Implicit bias** rather than purposeful discrimination. 10. **Generally, know the findings from Kovera about racial disparities in outcomes, and how to best approach systemic racism** **Findings**: Racial disparities in legal outcomes stem from biases in decision making, procedural inconsistencies and systematic inequalities. 1. Racial bias in Legal judgement 2. Disparities in Forensic Evidence Interpretation 3. Challenges in Reducing Bias overall 11. **(TO REMEMBER) Black boys are judged to be older than White boys in social psychological research** 12. **Know what policies or practices increase or decrease racial profiling** **Increase racial profiling:** **(1)** top and frisk's, **(2)** biased risk assessment, **(3)** lack of data transparency and **(4)** weak accountability for misconduct. **(5)** **[Police departments that focus of deterrence ]** **Decrease racial profiling: (1)** implicit bias training, **(2)** body cameras, **(3)** data collection and **(4)** reform. **[(5) Interacting with other racial/minority groups]** 13. **Know the overall findings of Voigt et al (2017)** Officers speak to black drivers with less respect and more negative language compared to white drivers. (apologizing, softening commands, etc.) 14. **Know the meaning of systemic racism, procedural injustice/justice, substantive or distributive injustice/justice.** **Systemic Racism**: Racism embedded in laws, policies, and institutions that result in disparities. **Procedural justice:** The fairness of the processes used to make decisions and enforce rules. **Distributive Justice:** The perceived fairness of how resources, opportunities, and outcomes are distributed within a society. 15. **How does Goffman describe how people are labeled as deviant?** Through social interactions and societal perceptions rather than Soley based on their actions. 16. **Know the Definitions of stigma, Stigmatization, Dehumanization, Power** **Stigma:** Is a socially constructed negative label **Stigmatization:** process of labeling, stereotyping, and discriminating against individuals or groups based on perceived differences, that seem undesirable. **Dehumanization**: the process of **depriving** a person or group **of positive human qualities** by picking out attributes of a person. **Power**: the ability to influence, control or direct the behavior of others. -Types- **Structural**: workplace environment (teacher over student) **Interpersonal**: friend group **Individual**: self autonomy 17. **When are people more likely to dehumanize others?** When they perceive others as a threat, or as competition. What motivates this is factors of fear and authority influence. 18. **Know four strategies to resist authority's orders and the strategies used by participants in** **Milligram's study who successfully resisted authorities.** 1. Taking responsibility 2. Questioning legitimacy of authority 3. Expressing empathy 4. Seeking social support 19. **Know the conclusion of these Supreme Court Cases: Boykin vs. Alabama, Bordenkircher vs. Hayes, Miranda vs. Arizona** **Boykin vs. Alabama:** A guilty plea must be made **voluntarily** and **knowingly**. **Bordenkircher vs. Hayes:** Ruled that **prosecutors can threaten defendants** with harsher charges if they refuse a plea deal, as long as punishment is within legal limits. This **did NOT violate due process of law.** **Miranda vs. Arizona**: Court established **Miranda Rights** (right to remain silent, to an attorney, etc.) 20. **Know the difference between implicit bias and prejudice** **Implicit bias**: Unconscious and automatic. Actions operate subtly **Prejudice**: is conscious and intentional. Actions operate deliberately. 21. **Know the difference between Dehumanization and Negative Zero Empathy** **Dehumanization:** the process of viewing others as less than human. (As subhuman) **Negative Zero Empathy:** the complete lack of emotional connection or concern for others (mental disorder) 22. **Know which personality disorders are associated with Negative Zero Empathy** - Narcissism - Psychopathy - Borderline personality disorder 23. **Know the general findings from Fessinger et al., 2024 and Baker et al., 2024 on legal advice to juveniles and guilty pleas** **Fessinger**: juveniles often lack the capacity to fully comprehend the implications of guilty pleas. Suggest legal counsel should be mandatory in all juvenile proceedings. **[Baker]**: Looks at types of advice juvenile defendants receive when pleading guilty. 24. **Describe the stereotype content model and how it shows that dehumanization can result in a variety of behaviors. Be sure to explain which dimension of the stereotype content model is associated with physical aggression or attacks.** [**Stereotype content model**: ] Developed by Susan Friske, explains how people perceive social groups based on two dimensions, **Warmth** & **Competence**. Results in **dehumanizing behaviors are based on levels of the dimensions**. Ex. **High warmth** & **High Comp**=**admirable** people. **High warmth** & **Low comp**= paternalistic stereotype (elderly people, disabled people) **[Dimension associated with aggression:] Warmth. (Cold and incompetent=more violent)**