(8) Forensic Psych Flashcards
What does a forensic psychologist do?
Investigate crime/cause, consult with involved people
What are some crime-related issues that give the need for this field?
Criminal behaviour, increasing crime rates, incarceration, likelihood to re-offend
Main philosophical issues of forensic psych
- What extent should we control behaviour
- What level should crime be analyzed at
- Free will vs determinism
- evidence
Law vs psych - controlling behaviour
Law: Short term, immediate, direct, explicit
Psych: long term, indirect, implicit
Law vs psych - Level of analysis for crime
Law: Individuals who have committed
Psych: General populations (groups most likely to commit)
Law vs psych - Free will
Law: Ppl commit crimes out of free will
Psych: Multiple factor influence engagement in criminal activity
Law vs psych - Evidence of crime
Law: Common sense (beyond reasonable doubt)
Psych: Scientific, objective
What causes the negative feedback loop caused by AI crime prediction software
Doesn’t differentiate serious vs “petty” crimes, leads to over patrolling of high poverty areas, people get imprisoned for petty crimes -> life of crime
Is a sequential or simultaneous lineup more effective for correct identification (if perp is actually in lineup)?
Simultaneous
Are sequential or simultaneous lineups better for correct rejections?
Sequential
How should sequential lineups be modified to increase odds of a hit
“Perp may or may not be in the lineup”, use fillers to minimize bias
3 main police interview errors
Closed ended questions, frequently interrupting, questions in predetermined order
Are cognitive or police interviews better?
Cognitive duh
What do cognitive interviews improve?
Rapport (increases honesty), eyewitness memory, eyewitness-interviewer communication
Why do cognitive interviews increase communication?
They don’t feel accused and will therefore share more relevant info
Antisocial personality disorder
Pattern of not caring about others since 15 years old, must now be 18+. Must present (≥3) with non-conformity, deceit, aggression, irresponsibility, and lack of remorse.
Conduct disorder
Pattern of violating social norms, can be under 18. Must present with (≥3) aggression, destruction, deceit/theft, serious rule violations
What characterizes psychopathy
High impulsivity + low empathy
Does there seem to be a genetic link for antisocial personality disorder?
Yes
Factor one personality presentations of antisocial personality disorder
Interpersonal (charming) + affective (shallow lacks guilt etc.)
Factor 2 personality presentations of antisocial personality disorder
Lifestyle (impulsivity) + antisocial (early problems)
What are the 2 main characteristics of “predators”
Hunting behaviour (minimal autonomic arousal) and rationality (planning/preparing)
Under-arousal hypothesis
Psychopaths have abnormally low cortisol levels in response to stressors
How does the brain contribute to rationality in psychopaths
PFC, Issues with maintaining plan/inhibiting irrelevant info, deficits in executive function
Are psychopaths good at accurate victim selection
Yes, can tell just based on video of someone walking
Are psychopaths actually good at avoiding detection and engaging on social mimicry?
High factor 1 traits = better at faking emotions so yes
Do psychopaths react the same to fearful stimuli?
No they don’t react as much, don’t avert eyes, aren’t startled as much
Do psychopaths seem to enjoy risk taking?
Yes (rated risk taking game positively)
