Chapter 1

Question 1

Forensic = _____ ______

Answer 1

legal system

Question 2

Forensic is derived from the Latin word forensis, which means “___ _____”

Answer 2

“the forum”

Question 3

How is forensic psychology used (in general)?

Answer 3

To determine the culprit in a crime,

To determine DNA = applying scientific principles to evidence.

Question 4

What is the application of psychology IN the legal system?

Answer 4

Practice; professional WORK in the legal system

Question 5

What is the application of psychology OF the legal system?

Answer 5

Research; the STUDY of the legal system

E.g., study the prediction of violent behavior, testify the chances the defendant may be a danger to society/themselves.

Question 6

Roles of Psychologists: Expert Witness (4)

Answer 6

o Evaluation of defendants, plaintiffs
o Give scientific, technical information
o Risk assessment
o Reliability of witness

Question 7

Roles of Psychologists: Trial Consultant (4)

Answer 7

o Jury selection
o Preparing witnesses
o Pre-trial publicity
o Presentation of arguments, evidence

Question 8

Roles of Psychologists: Law Enforcement (3)

Answer 8

o Selection of police, LEOs
o Fitness for duty evaluations
(A type of psychological evaluation)
o Counseling

Question 9

Roles of Psychologists: Investigation (3)

Answer 9

o Assist in the investigation of a crime or an
accident
o Analysis of mental states, motives, behavior
patterns
o Evaluate interrogations, confessions

Question 10

Roles of Psychologists: Victim Services (2)

Answer 10

o Assess mental distress or impact in victims
o Treatment for crime victims (exterior services of
other psychologists may be called upon for this)

Question 11

Roles of Psychologists: Correctional (2)

Answer 11

o Assess inmates for mental illness, risk of
violence (they would be monitored more)
o Treatment, counselling for inmates

Question 12

Roles of Psychologists: Research

Answer 12

o They conduct research to better understand
and inform the practice of forensic psychology
o Not as much control as there would be in a
laboratory
o Mock juries

Question 13

Roles of Psychologists: Amicus Curiae

Answer 13

o “friend of the court”
o Submit briefs summarizing research relevant
to case
o Often filed by organizations, such as the APA
o Example: Brown v. Board of Education (1954)

Question 14

In what aspect was William Stern a pioneer in forensic psychology? (6)

Answer 14

o      EYEWITNESS TESTIMONY
o	“Reality experiments”
o	Emotions of witnesses
o	Suggestive questioning 
o	Confident ≠ correct
o	Child eyewitnesses

Question 15

In what aspect was Hugo Munsterberg a pioneer in forensic psychology? (4)

Answer 15

o First well-known U.S. psychologist to promote
applied psychology
o Applying psychology to legal situations
o 1905: “trial of the century” of
Harry Orchard, accused of assassination
 Overstepped his role in the case
o On the Witness Stand: Essays on Psychology &
Crime (1908)

Question 16

In what aspect was State v. Driver (1921) a pioneer in forensic psychology? (2)

Answer 16

o 1st US psychologist admitted as an expert witness in a criminal trial
o Dr. Florence Mateer, psychologist testified regarding the mental status of a 12-year-old victim in attempted rape case

Question 17

In what aspect was Coca-Cola v. Chero-Cola (1921) a pioneer in forensic psychology?

Answer 17

o Experimental psychologists in civil trials about consumer confusion over trademarks
o “Hearsay” evidnce?

Question 18

Who decides what testimony is allowed to be considered in the court?

Answer 18

Federal Rules of Evidence: judge is the gatekeeper and decided if evidence if more probative then prejudicial

Question 19

Probative:

Answer 19

relevant and reliable (useful to the jury)

Question 20

Prejudicial:

Answer 20

emotion, bias

it is just there to enhance/change feelings or mood without any useful facts

Question 21

Scientific evidence must have “______ _______”

Answer 21

“general acceptance”

Question 22

What are the problems with general acceptance for scientific evidence? (3 Q’s)

Answer 22

Which scientists decide this?
What about new but valid science?
How do you find out if it is “generally accepted”?

Question 23

What is the advantage of using mock juries in research?

Answer 23

Can study them in every step of the way since they aren’t a real jury (can ask questions, interview them, see what they discussed the most, see what they remember the most

  This can’t be done in a real trial 

  Can only approach a real jury after the trial is 
  done)

Question 24

Does the Daubert Standard apply to psychological experts and behavioral disciplines?

Answer 24

Yes, all experts are considered to be ‘scientific’ and subject to the same standards

Question 25

What case set the new standard for admissibility?

Answer 25

The Daubert Case

Question 26

What are the 4 guides for “reliable” science? (Daubert Standard)

Answer 26

1. General acceptance
2. Falsifiability (testable)
3. Peer review (published, reputable scientific journals)
4. Known error rate

Question 27

What does an error rate refer to?

Answer 27

The chances that you are wrong about something

Question 28

What are the stats on judges understanding the Daubert Criteria?

Answer 28

o General acceptance – 82%
o Peer review – 71%
o Falsifiability – 6%
o Error rate – 4%

Question 29

Legal vs. Psychological Science:

1. ___ (how we should behave) vs. ___ (how we do behave)

Answer 29

Prescriptive; descriptive

Question 30

Legal vs. Psychological Science:

2. ___ (sane OR insane, guilty OR innocent) vs. ___ (tendency, likelihood)

Answer 30

Certainty; probability

Question 31

Legal vs. Psychological Science:

3. ___ (this particular defendant) vs. __ __ (type, category, group)

Answer 31

Specific case; general principles

Question 32

Legal vs. Psychological Science:

4. ___ (stare decisis: “let the decision stand”) vs. __ __ (best data win; what we know now)

Answer 32

Precedent; empirical evidence

Question 33

Legal vs. Psychological Science:

5. ___ (adversarial) vs. ___ (unbiased, impartial)

Answer 33

Advocacy; objectivity

Question 34

Ethics:
May be employed by one side, but must ___ ____.
Avoid appearance of “___ ___”

Answer 34

remain neutral

“hired gun”

Question 35

Ethics:
Must avoid ____ _____ (conflict of interest)
E.g. shouldn’t testify as an expert witness about a _____.

Answer 35

multiple relationships

client

Question 36

Therapeutic vs. Forensic:

1. ____ is the client vs. ___/___ is the client
2. ____, ____ attitudes vs. ___,___ attitudes towards client
3. Information mostly from ___ vs. Information also from ___, ___, ___
4. ___ has input, control vs. ___ requirements control
5. Goal: ___ ___ vs. Goal: ___ ___ & ___
6. P____ vs. P___ process (audience, cross examination, etc.)

Answer 36

1. Defendant vs. Attorney/court
2. Empathic, accepting vs. Objective, skeptical
3. Client vs. police, evidence, witnesses
4. Client vs. Legal
5. benefit client vs. benefit jury & judge
6. Privacy vs. Public

Question 37

What APA Division is forensic psychology?

Answer 37

APA Division 41

Question 38

Forensic psychology and licensure

Answer 38

As a professional psychologist, it is usually desirable

Question 39

Forensic psychology and certification

Answer 39

Certification not required, but useful

Question 40

What does the ABFP stand for?

Answer 40

American Board of Forensic Psychology

Question 41

What are the different tracks in education and training for forensic psychology? (4)

Answer 41

Clinical psychology
Academic/Research specialization
Law enforcement
Specialized degree programs