forensic psychology Flashcards
what are the four stages of constructing an FBI profile?
- data assimilation
- crime scene classification
- crime reconstruction
- profile generation
desribe the 4 stages of crime scene reconstruction
- collect evidence and review
- disorg/org
- hypothesis of events
- hypothesis on characteristics of the offender
explain these two evaluation for the top-down approach
- only applies to particular crimes
-original sample
- crime scene must reveal important details about the offender e.g rape, this is difficult for more common crimes like burglary as there=little info, therefore limited approach to identifying criminals.
- developed through interviews with 36 killers,25=serial, 11-non. the sample is too small+unrepresentative to base typology on+the investigation could be influenced negatively.=self report data, social desirability bias
what did lombroso say the characteristics of murderers and sexual deviants were?
murderers-curly hair, bloodshot eyes
sexual deviants- glinting eyes, projecting ears
explain these 2 evaluations for atavistic form
-RS-poor control
-contribution to criminology
1.no control grp of non-crim., if so significant differences would decrease. variables not accounted for the criminals has psychological disorders-confounded the findings
2. shifted RS to be more scientific+credible. Trying to describe how particular types of ppl commit diff crimes instigated criminal profiling
what is the general theory behind eysencks perosnality theory?
behvaiour can be represented along 2 x dimensions of intorversion/extroversion and neuroticism/stability. they combine to form a no. of characteristics
what is the biological basis of eysencks theory?
personality has a biological origin and comes about through the NS that we inherit. TF all personality types=innate
ectrovert= underactive NS(lack of cortical arousal in the brain)
eval for eysenck: supporting evidence+CA
2070 male prisoners, control= 2422, across all measures of PEN, prisoners scored higher then controls. HE- other evidence=prisoners high on P, not E+N,+lack of physiological basis-measures of EEG=little difference btwn E+N
eval for eysenck: cultural bias
RS in2 hispanic+black-american males in prison, split into 6 groups based on crim activity+type of offence, found less extrovert then non-crim control. eysenck sample=diff culture, questions generalisability
eysenck eval: mismeasurement of personality
theory based on measuring personality through psychological tests, critics argue personality may b=not be reducable to a score+it may not be a stable identity. this is because idividuals may change p daily w/certain grps+context. his measure=flawed
what research is there into token economies?
hobbs+holt: used token economy in 3 behavioural units with young delinquents. 4th unit=control. found significant difference in bheav comp. to control grp.
strength for behaviour modification+CA: easy
easy to implement-no expetise like others treatments, cost-effective+easy to follow. H/E =dependent on consistent approach by prison staff. RS found benefits dropped once staff=inconsistent due 2 training
limitation: behvaioural modification: ethical issues
t&c: manipulative+dehumanising- participation=obligatory. offenders choose to follow H/E critics argu withdrawal of priveleges=ehtically questionable
why does CBT work for anger management?
navoco argues cog factors trigger arousal which causes aggression
what do behaviourist believe about anger?
anger=reinforced by individuals control over situation
what are the 3 stages of anger managment?
- cognitive prep-refelcts on past experience+identify triggers+ if the way they interpeet sitchs=irrational,therapists tell this
- skill acquisition- range of techniques to improve rational bheaviour e.g pos self talk, training to communicate effecttively, physiological=methods of relaxation
3: application practice-role play, success=pos reinforcement by therapist
what is kohlbergs level of moral reasoning theory?(3)
-ppls decisions+judgements of right and wrong can be summed in a stage theory of MD
-theory based on responses to a series of moral dilemmas
- crim=low lvls of moral reasoning
what are kohlbergs 3 stages?
- preconventional morality
- conventional morality
- post conventional morality
how does kohlberg use his 3 stages to describe criminals?
crim=preconventional stage characterised by need to avoid punishment+gain rewards=childlike reasoning
non-crim higher lvls=sympathise with rights of others+exhibits conventional bheav e/g honesty/non-violence
define cognitive distortions
errors/bias in peoples infromation processing system causing faulty thinking