Forensic Psych - Definitions and Roles Flashcards
What is the APA division focused on forensic psychology?
APA Division 41: American Psychology-Law Society
What is forensic psychology?
The application of psychological methods and principles within the legal system
It is a specialty area within clinical psychology that requires particular training.
What are some roles of forensic psychologists?
They can:
- Evaluate defendants’ sanity
- Assess legal competency
- Predict dangerousness
- Serve as expert witnesses
Psychologists with different academic backgrounds may be drawn to the field, such as those focusing on eyewitness testimony.
What is the prevalence of assessment in forensic psychology?
High prevalence
The clinician’s role is less clear because test information is shared with courts (not confidential).
They must be:
- an expert in mental health and legal issues Be
- able to address the demands of the legal system
- able to interact with lawyers
How do forensic experts rate:
- objective personality tests
- projective personality tests
They rate objective personality tests high and projective personality tests negatively due to reliability
A multimethod assessment approach is often used.
What is malingering in the context of forensic psychology?
When the person being evaluated seems to be faking or exaggerating symptoms to achieve benefits
Clinicians look for specific responses within tests to identify malingering.
What is dangerousness/risk assessment?
An assessment of the likelihood an individual will behave violently
It includes clinical prediction methods and statistical (actuarial) prediction methods.
What is NGRI?
Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity
This refers to individuals unable to control actions due to a mental disorder.
What happens to individuals found NGRI?
They are institutionalized for treatment.
What is the success rate of NGRI pleas?
Less than 1% of trials go for NGRI and only ¼ of that 1% of trials are successful
This highlights the rarity and difficulty of NGRI pleas.
What is the M’Naghten test?
The first legal standard of the insanity defense in American legal history
It assesses the mental state of defendants at the time of the crime.
What would be a “middle ground” between a regular guilty plea and an NGRI plea in the legal system?
Guilty, but mentally ill
It acknowledges the defendant’s mental illness while still holding them accountable, without declaring NGRI.
