Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Psychology Paper 3 > Forensic Psychology > Flashcards

Forensic Psychology Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
Psychology 101 flashcards GRE® Psychology flashcards AP® Psychology flashcards
1
Q

What two sections is the top down approach separated in?

A

Organised and disorganised offenders

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What is the top down approach?

A

The American approach= profilers created pre existing categories of offender types

Organised = plan, prepare, tidy, high intelligence

Disorganised = messy, evidence, low intelligence

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Give one research of the top down approach that is also a strength (A03)

A

Ressler = created definitions of organised and disorganised offenders using interviews with real serial killers.
Classified 24 as organised and 12 as disorganised suggesting there are distinct “types” of offender

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What is are two limitations of the top down approach?

A
  1. Effectiveness is difficult to assess, it’s never used in isolation, so it can be difficult to identify how much the profile contribute.
  2. The bottom up approach, takes into account geographical factors.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What is the bottom up approach?

A

Canter -
British approach, The aim is to generate a profile of the offender through analysis of the crime scene.

Investigative psychology = matches details of the scene with statistical analysis based on psychological theory.

Geographical profiling = an offenders possible future offences are revealed by the location of their previous.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What two sections is the bottom up approach broken into?

A

Investigative psychology & Geographical profiling

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What are two strengths of the bottom up approach?

A
  1. Generalisable, Geographical profiling helps locate many different types of crime e.g. burglars, serial killers, kidnappings. (canter used john Duffy)
  2. Uses statistical analysis from published research, seen as more scientific than top down
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What is one limitation of the bottom up approach?

A
  1. Doesn’t prepare for Statistically abnormal offenders (ones that don’t fit profiles based on previous offenders)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Who proposed the atavistic form theory for the historical approach for offending ?

A

Lombroso

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What does the atavistic form theory consist of?

A

Lombroso proposed a theory that criminals were “genetic throwbacks” a primitive subspecies who were biologically different from non criminals.

  • Criminality is innate and those with it have certain physical characteristics
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What are the physical characteristics of atavistic form?

A

Dark skin, strong jaw, high cheekbones.

Murderers = curly hair, long ears

Sexual deviants = swollen fleshy lips,

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Give one strength of atavistic form

A

Lombrosos work was conducted with careful measurements, making a legacy for more scientific approaches to criminality.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Give 2 limitations of Lombrosos research

A
  1. Racism, atavistic form makes a lot of biological features that are Afrocentric (list features)
  2. Self fulfilling prophecy, it may not be biological but instead these people are rejected from society for their features so turn to crime
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What is the genetic explanation for offending?

A

-Criminals inherit genes that predispose them to crime

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What is the adoption study for genetic explanations of crime?

A

Crowe = found that adopted children who’s biological mother had a criminal record had a 50% risk of having a criminal record by 18
Whereas those who are adopted without a criminal biological mother on had a 5% risk

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What do candidate genes show in genetic explanations for offending?

A

Those with the MAOA gene ( regulates serotonin in the brain linked to aggressive behaviour) are linked to high levels of criminality

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What does the genetic explanation consist of (sections)

A

adoption studies
Candidate genes
Diathesis stress model

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What does the diathesis stress model say in genetic explanations?

A

Criminality is linked to having a criminal gene and also a stress trigger e.g dysfunctional upbringing

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Who is the researcher for pre frontal cortex in neural explanations and what does she say?

A

Raine = individuals with anti social personalities have reduced activity in the prefrontal cortex ( emotional regulator)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

What do mirror neurons suggest in neural explanations for offending?

A

-Mirror neurons control empathy
-Offenders with APD can switch their emotions off and on

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What is one strength of genetic explanations for offending?

A

Adoption studies allow the research for nature v nurture, as crowes research shows both had no contact with the biological parent.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

What are two limitations of genetic and neural explanations for offending (biological)

A

Reductionist, valid understanding would take into account other factors such as drug abuse, mental illness, abuse in childhood

Biologically deterministic, doesn’t take into account free will, takes the responsibility off the perpetrator

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

What is the basis of eyesencks theory in psychological explanations?

A

Proposed behaviour could be represented with
Introvert - extravert
Neurotic - stable
Psychoticism- sociability

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

What is the biological basis of eyesencks theory? (3 dimensions)

A

Extraverts= have under aroused nervous systems so constantly seek stimulation and risk

Neurotics = high level of reactivity in sympathetic nervous system so respond quickly to situations of threat (fight or flight)

Psychotics = higher levels of testosterone so are prone to aggression

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

How did eyesenck measure criminality ?

A

A questionnaire, which locates people along the E,N,P dimensions to determine their type.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

What is one strength of eyesencks theory?

A

Eyesencks offers a way to measure criminal personalities and how they differ from the general population

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

What are two limitations of eyesencks theory?

A
  1. Culture bias, criminal personality may vary with culture e.g
  2. Too simplistic
28
Q

Define all of moral reasoning in cognitive explanations

A

Kohlberg = people’s decisions and judgements can be summarised into levels

higher the level= the more sophisticated the reasoning.

Pre- conventional level = offenders are stuck at this level, characterised by a need to avoid punishment and gain reward (can explain crimes involving money)

29
Q

Whats a strength of kohlbergs theory of moral reasoning?

A

Useful as it provides insights into the mechanics of the criminal mind, that offenders may be more childlike and egocentric when making judgments

30
Q

Define all of cognitive distortions in psychological explanations of offending (excluding the researchers)

A

-suggest there are internal metal processes about the world that lead to offending

Hostile attribution bias = the process of assuming others are being confrontational when they are not (e.g being “looked at”)

Minimalisation = attempt to deny or downplay the seriousness of their offence (e.g denying actions caused harm)

31
Q

What is the research hostile attribution bias?

A

Schonenberg and Justye = presented emotionally ambiguous facial expressions to offenders vs a control group

-the violent offenders were more likely to perceive the images as hostile

32
Q

What is the research for minimalisation?

A

Barbaree = studied rapists and found over half denied they committed offence and the majority of the rest minimised the hard they caused.

33
Q

What is a strength of cognitive distortions?

A

Real world application, challenges irrational thinking, offenders are encouraged to face up to what they have done and establish a less distorted view of their actions

34
Q

What is one strength of cognitive explanation

A

Application to research, Understanding the link between offending and cognition means CBT could be used to change the the offenders irrational thinking.

35
Q

Who is the researcher for differential association?

A

Sutherland

36
Q

According to differential association what are the two factors that lead to offending?

A

learnt attitudes and learnt techniques

37
Q

Outline the research behind learnt attitudes and techniques in offedning

A

Learnt attitudes = Sutherland argues that if the number of pro- criminal attitudes a person encounters outweighs the number of anti- criminal attitudes they will offend

Learnt techniques = In addiction to being exposed to Pro- criminal attitudes they may also learn how to commit crimes. e.g pick pocketing.

38
Q

What is socialisation in prison in differential association?

A

Sutherlands theory may be a reason for why those released from prison reoffend.

39
Q

What are two strengths of differential association

A
  1. Wide range, whilst Sutherland acknowledged working class crime such as burglary he also applied it to middle class crime e.g. white collar.
    -this takes away from the stigma of working classes being the only ones who commit crime.
  2. A replacement for the racist theories of criminals at the time e.g. atavistic form.
40
Q

What is one limitation of differential association?

A

Doesn’t explain why criminality is higher in younger males compared to older males who have had more socialisation.

41
Q

What is are the 3 types of inadequate superego psychodynamic explanation for offending and who was the researcher?

A

Blackburn proposed three types of inadequate superegos in those who offend;

  1. Weak superego = due to no same sex parent identification. (superego comes after phallic stage)
  2. Deviant superego = Child socialised with deviant values e.g. criminal father.
  3. Over- harsh superego = Child socialised with overly harsh parenting.
    -Person is crippled with guilt and commit crime to satisfy the superegos need for punishment.
42
Q

What is the superegos role in punishment?

A

Superego is the morality principle which punishes the ego through guilt for wrongdoing and praise for good behaviour.

43
Q

Explain maternal deprivation in the psychodynamic explanations for offending?

A

Bowlby = Those who are maternally deprived could develop problems in later life one being affectionless psychopathy (lack of guilt and empathy for others)

44
Q

What is the study of maternal deprivation in psychodynamic explanations for the offending?

A

Bowlby = 44 juvenile thieves, through interviews with thieves and their families he found 14 had affectionless psychopathy 12 of which from prolonged separation in the critical period
-compared to a non offending group only 2 experienced prolonged separation.

45
Q

what is one strength of the psychodynamic explanation for offending?

A

Shows the link between criminality and childhood experiences and with Freuds research it can be used for prevention e.g. parenting classes

46
Q

what are two limitations of the psychodynamic explanation for offending?

A

1.Freudian concepts are not testable or falsifiable meaning offending behaviour cant be empirically tested

  1. Gender bias, Freud said girls develop a weaker superego than boys as they don’t experience the intense emotion of castration anxiety but data shows men have more criminality than women contradicting his theory.
47
Q

What is custodial sentencing in dealing with offending behaviour?

A

A convicted felon spending time in prison or another closed institution

48
Q

What are the 4 aims of custdiol sentencing and breifly explain them

A
  1. Detterence = The unpleasant experince from prison deters them from commiting again and gives members of society an example (vicarious punishment)
  2. Incapacitation = Offender is taken out of society to protect the public.
  3. Retribution = The offender pays for their actions (justice)
  4. Rehabilitation = Offeders leave better adjusted and ready to join society.
49
Q

What are the 3 psychological effects of custodial sentencing?

A
  1. Stress and Depression = Sucide rates are higher in prison that outside
  2. Institutionalisation = Having adopted to the routine of prison life, inmates may find it hard to join back into socety
  3. Prisonisation = Prisoners socialised behaviours that may be rewarded in prison but unacepptable in general society.
50
Q

What is recidivism?

A

Reoffedning

51
Q

Give one strength of custodial sentencing

A

Rehabilitation = Prison teaches skills, training and treatment, education that makes them a better person for society.

52
Q

Give two brief limiations of custodial sentencing

A
  1. School for crime = Offenders may learn how to become better criminals (differential association)
  2. Expensive , in the uk it costs over 42,000 per person
53
Q

What are token economies in custody? (behavioural modification)

A

Based on skinnerian operant conditioning (Behavioural modification)
Desirable behaviour = Rewarded with tokens that they can exchange for privilege or treats (secondary reinforcement)
Disobedience = Tokens being withheld or taken away (punishment)

54
Q

What 3 aspects of the Design for token econmies in custody?

A
  1. Operationalised = Broken down into component parts.
  2. Scoring system = Staff and prisoners are made aware that behaviours are hierachal
  3. Train staff = Staff are fully trained in order to implemnt token economies successfully
55
Q

Give 2 strenghs of behavioural modification in custody

A
  1. Easy to implement, It is more straight forward than other forms of treatment such as anger management as it can be implemented by any staff.
  2. Research support of behavioural modifaction is skinner and pavlov.
56
Q

Give one limitation of behavioural modification in custody

A

Limited as it can only be used in a controlled setting, it has no long- term effects of reducing redcidivsm

57
Q

What is the main treatment for anger management? and what are the 3 stages

A

Cognitive behaviour therapy
1. Cognitive preparation
2. Skill acquisition
3. Application practice

58
Q

What is the first stage of CBT for anger managment?

A

Cognitive preparation = Offender reflects on their past experience to find the root of their anger and if the therapist beleives its irrational they will make it known

59
Q

What is the second stage of CBT for anger management?

A

Skill acquisition = Skills to help in anger provoking situations being.
Cognitive (positive self talk for calming)
Behavioural (how to communicate)
Physiological (relaxation traning e.g meditation)

60
Q

What is the thrid stage of CBT for anger management?

A

Application practice = Given the opportunity to practice through role play of scenarios
positive reinforcement is given when done correctly.

61
Q

What is the research of CBT for anger management?

A

Keen et al = studied progress made with young offenders using the national anger management programme
-found the final outcomes were positive and offenders repported incresed awareness of their anger

62
Q

What is one strength of CBT for anger management?

A

Its more effective than behavioural modification, anger management tackles the causes of offending.

63
Q

What is one limitation of CBT for anger management?

A

Expensive, they require trained specialists meaning many prisons may not have the recourses to fund it.

64
Q

What is the idea of restorative justice?

A

Focuses on rehabilitation of offenders through reconciliation with victims, allows the offender to see the impact of their crime and give the victims a voice.

65
Q

What is 1 limitation of restorative justice?

A

May be traumatic for the victim in extreme offences such as rape, murder

66
Q

How is reperation used in restorative justice?

A

Offender repays for damage caused
-could be cash or community service

Psychology Paper 3 (4 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions