1. Theoretical Foundations

Question 1

Clinical Forensic Psychology (AU) is

Answer 1

the application of clinical psychological knowledge to the treatment and rehabilitation of offenders.

Question 2

Criminal Psychology (UK) is

Answer 2

the application of psychological knowledge to the criminal justice system.

Question 3

Law and Psychology (US) is

Answer 3

the use of psychological knowledge to assist with issues of importance to the law.

Question 4

The course specific definition of Forensic Psychology is

Answer 4

The understanding and production of psychological knowledge that is applicable, in an integrative fashion, to issues of importance to the criminal and civil justice systems.

Question 5

Psychology is

Answer 5

the science of behaviour and mental processes (how they act and speak).

Question 6

Nature vs. Nurture

Answer 6

Revolves around the issue of how people acquire their behaviours and mental processes. Descartes- nature Tabular rasa- nurture

Question 7

Free will vs. Determinism

Answer 7

Revolves around the issue of whether our behaviours and mental processes are a product of our choice or the unavoidable result of precursors.

Question 8

Mind vs. Body or Attitudes vs. Behaviour

Answer 8

Revolves around the issue of establishing the relationship between the mind (cognitive processes) and the body (behaviour). Do we try to change the attitude or behaviour?

Question 9

Name the five steps of the scientific method

Answer 9

1. Observation 2. Hypothesis Generation 3. Hypothesis Testing 4. Theory Development 5. Replication and extension

Question 10

Step one of the scientific method, Observation involves:

Answer 10

Noticing some abnormal aspect of human behaviour. “Well that was weird”

Question 11

Step two of the scientific method, Hypothesis Generation, involves:

Answer 11

Producing a formal statement that represents your belief about the cause of the observed behaviour.

Question 12

Step three of the scientific method, Hypothesis Testing, involves:

Answer 12

employing non-experimental or experimental methods to test the veracity of your hypothesis. -Data collection.

Question 13

Step four of the scientific method, Theory Development, involves:

Answer 13

Placing your research results within a theoretical framework or model in psychology.

Question 14

Step five of the scientific method, Replication and Extension, involves:

Answer 14

Testing additional hypothesis based on your results and the accompanying theory.

Question 15

List 5 ethical guidelines for human subject research which represent a balance between zero allowance and mild tolerance, in order to progress our knowledge and research.

Answer 15

1. Protection from harm 2. Right to Privacy 3. Deception 4. Informed consent 5. Debriefing

Question 16

The Law is defined as:

Answer 16

The rules established by a Governing Authority to Institute and Maintain orderly coexistence.

Question 17

Legal Issue: Criminal vs. Civil

Explain criminal law.

Answer 17

Criminal cases involve the prosectution by the state of an individual who has violated a law. (citizens do not ordinarily bring a criminal case to court)

Question 18

Legal Issue: Appellate vs. Lower Court Decisions

Answer 18

Appellate decisions are those made by a higher court, usually regarding a claim that an individual’s constitutional rights were infringed upon during a lower court hearing. These decisions are generally recorded.

Lower court ► decision appealed ► higher (appellate) court.

Question 19

Define Mens Rea and Actus Rea.

Answer 19

Guilty mind, Guilty act

Question 20

Legal Issue: Mens Rea and Actus Rea (guilty mind, guilty act)

Answer 20

Two pronged common law standard for establishing criminal guilt. Based on the latin phrase “actus non facit reum nisi mens sit rea” which means the act does not make a person guilty unless the mind also be guilty.

Question 21

Legal Issue: Stare Decisis

Answer 21

The legal principle of following Precedents in deciding a case, the idea that future decision of a court should follow the example set by the prior decisions (to establish continuity).

Question 22

A clinical Forensic Psychologist is:

Answer 22

broadly concerned with the assessment and treatment of mental health issues as they pertain to the legal system. (must be registered in US) Eg, Assessing an offender to determine if they are a threat to the community if released.

Question 23

Forensic Psychiatry is

Answer 23

a field of medicine that deals with all aspects of human behaviour as it relates to the law or legal system.

Question 24

A research or experimental forensic psychologist is:

Answer 24

broadly concerned with the study of human behaviour as it related to the law and legal system.

Question 25

A Legal Scholar would:

Answer 25

most likely engage in scholarly analysis of mental health law and psychologically oriented legal movements. Whereas in their applied work, would most likely centre around policy analysis and legislative consultation.

Question 26

Psychology AND the law is:

Answer 26

the use of psychology to examine the operation of the legal system, questioning assumptions.

Question 27

Psychology IN the law is:

Answer 27

the use of psychology in the legal system as that system operates, (application)

Question 28

Psychology OF the law is:

Answer 28

the use of psychology to examine the law itself.

Question 29

Legal Issue: Criminal vs. Civil Law

Explain Civil Law

Answer 29

Civil cases involve the settlement of a dispute between two parties where one of the parties believes that they have been harmed. (money)