(8) Forensic Psych

Question 1

What does a forensic psychologist do?

Answer 1

Investigate crime/cause, consult with involved people

Question 2

What are some crime-related issues that give the need for this field?

Answer 2

Criminal behaviour, increasing crime rates, incarceration, likelihood to re-offend

Question 3

Main philosophical issues of forensic psych

Answer 3

1. What extent should we control behaviour
2. What level should crime be analyzed at
3. Free will vs determinism
4. evidence

Question 4

Law vs psych - controlling behaviour

Answer 4

Law: Short term, immediate, direct, explicit
Psych: long term, indirect, implicit

Question 5

Law vs psych - Level of analysis for crime

Answer 5

Law: Individuals who have committed
Psych: General populations (groups most likely to commit)

Question 6

Law vs psych - Free will

Answer 6

Law: Ppl commit crimes out of free will
Psych: Multiple factor influence engagement in criminal activity

Question 7

Law vs psych - Evidence of crime

Answer 7

Law: Common sense (beyond reasonable doubt)
Psych: Scientific, objective

Question 8

What causes the negative feedback loop caused by AI crime prediction software

Answer 8

Doesn’t differentiate serious vs “petty” crimes, leads to over patrolling of high poverty areas, people get imprisoned for petty crimes -> life of crime

Question 9

Is a sequential or simultaneous lineup more effective for correct identification (if perp is actually in lineup)?

Answer 9

Simultaneous

Question 10

Are sequential or simultaneous lineups better for correct rejections?

Answer 10

Sequential

Question 11

How should sequential lineups be modified to increase odds of a hit

Answer 11

“Perp may or may not be in the lineup”, use fillers to minimize bias

Question 12

3 main police interview errors

Answer 12

Closed ended questions, frequently interrupting, questions in predetermined order

Question 13

Are cognitive or police interviews better?

Answer 13

Cognitive duh

Question 14

What do cognitive interviews improve?

Answer 14

Rapport (increases honesty), eyewitness memory, eyewitness-interviewer communication

Question 15

Why do cognitive interviews increase communication?

Answer 15

They don’t feel accused and will therefore share more relevant info

Question 16

Antisocial personality disorder

Answer 16

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.

Question 17

Conduct disorder

Answer 17

Pattern of violating social norms, can be under 18. Must present with (≥3) aggression, destruction, deceit/theft, serious rule violations

Question 18

What characterizes psychopathy

Answer 18

High impulsivity + low empathy

Question 19

Does there seem to be a genetic link for antisocial personality disorder?

Answer 19

Yes

Question 20

Factor one personality presentations of antisocial personality disorder

Answer 20

Interpersonal (charming) + affective (shallow lacks guilt etc.)

Question 21

Factor 2 personality presentations of antisocial personality disorder

Answer 21

Lifestyle (impulsivity) + antisocial (early problems)

Question 22

What are the 2 main characteristics of “predators”

Answer 22

Hunting behaviour (minimal autonomic arousal) and rationality (planning/preparing)

Question 23

Under-arousal hypothesis

Answer 23

Psychopaths have abnormally low cortisol levels in response to stressors

Question 24

How does the brain contribute to rationality in psychopaths

Answer 24

PFC, Issues with maintaining plan/inhibiting irrelevant info, deficits in executive function

Question 25

Are psychopaths good at accurate victim selection

Answer 25

Yes, can tell just based on video of someone walking

Question 26

Are psychopaths actually good at avoiding detection and engaging on social mimicry?

Answer 26

High factor 1 traits = better at faking emotions so yes

Question 27

Do psychopaths react the same to fearful stimuli?

Answer 27

No they don’t react as much, don’t avert eyes, aren’t startled as much

Question 28

Do psychopaths seem to enjoy risk taking?

Answer 28

Yes (rated risk taking game positively)