01_Forensic Psychology: A Distinct Subfield of Psychological Science and Practice

Question 1

Forensic” and “Correctional” Psychology are discrete subfields of Psychology and

Answer 1

¥ Related histories yet separate evolutions
¥ Have never been formally distinguished
¥ Mainstream distinction is needed.
¥ Direct implications for education and workforce issues in the field
¥ Contextual ethics critically important
¥ Often confused / lumped together

Question 2

How do we define Forensic psychology?

Answer 2

Forensic psychology is a subfield of psychology in which basic and applied psychological science or scientifically-oriented professional practice is applied to the law to help resolve legal, contractual, or administrative matters

Question 3

How do we define Correctional Psychology ?

Answer 3

Psychology is a subfield of psychology in which basic and applied psychological science or scientifically-oriented professional practice is applied to the justice system to inform the classification, treatment, and management of offenders to reduce risk and improve public safety.

Question 4

Forensic psychology is part of law…to help resolve ____

Answer 4

legal, contractual, or administrative matters.

Question 5

Correctional psychology is part of the criminal justice system…to inform the _____

Answer 5

classification, treatment, and management of offenders to reduce risk and improve public safety.

Question 6

first psychologist testifies as expert _year ?

Answer 6

1921

Question 7

Frye vs US. Scientific evidence admissibilitystandard set. Related to Wonder Woman _year ?

Answer 7

1923

Question 8

American Psychology Law _year ?

Answer 8

1968

Question 9

Major Roles for Psychologists, incl. Forensic Psychologists:

Answer 9

¥ Scientific Research
¥ Assessment (Evaluation)
¥ Treatment

Question 10

Criminal Forensic Psychology does

Answer 10

¥ Testify about research bearing on anything relevant
¥ The impact of jury diversity in capital sentencing
¥ Impact of conditions on eyewitness reliability
¥ Mental illness and violence risk
¥ Expert witness bias
¥ Conduct assessments bearing on any psycho-legal question
¥ Competency to stand trial
¥ Insanity
¥ Provide treatment to address a psycho-legal issue
Restoration (or attainment) of competency to stand trial

Question 11

Civil Forensic Psychology does

Answer 11

¥ Testify about research bearing on anything relevant
¥ Doll skin color on minority children’s development of self-esteem in wrongful discrimination case
¥ What actions people perceive as sexual harassment
¥ Conduct assessments bearing on any psycho-legal question
¥ Parenting capacity
¥ Mental illness and violence risk for civil commitment
¥ Social Security Disability eligibility
¥ Provide treatment to address a psycho-legal issue
¥ Anger management to reduce risk of violence
¥ Therapy to process trauma and reduce PTSD severity after an accident someone else caused (was liable for)
¥ Provide treatment to address a psycho-legal issue
¥ Anger management to reduce risk of violence
Therapy to process trauma and reduce PTSD severity after an accident someone else caused (was liable for)