E3c1 The job of the forensic psychologist

Question 1

What a forensic psychologist does IN GENERAL

Answer 1

1) works in courts to uncover psychological issues
2) looks at psychological aspects of criminal activity
3) looks at psychological issues to do with treating criminals

Question 2

Main tasks of forensic psychologist

Answer 2

1) Sets up treatment programmes and evaluates them
2) Work with offender behavior to look at the needs of prisoner as well as staff.
3) Research role- with other psychs. May gather data for review when prisoners profiled
4) Give evidence in court and advise parole boards- be involved in analysing crime
5) Work with other agencies to asses problems and come up with interventions
6) develop policies

Question 3

Who the forensic psychologist works with

Answer 3

1) Offenders and prison staff- work to help reduce and manage stress. May look into coping with bullying if appropriate in prisons, and other similar issues.
2) Victims and witnesses- to support them and help overcome problems
3) Judges and juries in court

Question 4

Examples of what forensic psych does

Answer 4

1) advise prison governors about prisoners, staff, implementing change etc
2) carry out one-to-one assessments and treatments of prisoners
3) assessing risk of re-offending
4) presenting assessment findings to others in multi-agency working
5) carrying out research projects- e.g looking at drop out rates for probation or evaluating group programmes e.g anger management
6) crime analysis- e.g using offender profiling to assist police
7) training prison staff
8) evaluating/ monitoring treatment

Question 5

Psychopath

Answer 5

person suffering from chronic mental disorder with abnormal or violent social behavior

Question 6

The problem with psychopathic disorders

Answer 6

1) those w/ disorder are detained in secure hospitals to protect public, but not always put on treatment programme- people dk whether they should be in secure hospitals or main prison
2) to be treatable, prisoner needs to show progress, many are unable to do so. If the disorder not considered suitable for treatment, this means little research carried out= little progress made in treatment
3) diagnosis- psychopath might be labelled on offenders with personality disorders- may not be “real” disorder that has set of symptoms and one cause- makes “disorder” hard to treat