forensic psychology Flashcards

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1
Q

what are the four stages of constructing an FBI profile?

A
  1. data assimilation
  2. crime scene classification
  3. crime reconstruction
  4. profile generation
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2
Q

desribe the 4 stages of crime scene reconstruction

A
  1. collect evidence and review
  2. disorg/org
  3. hypothesis of events
  4. hypothesis on characteristics of the offender
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3
Q

explain these two evaluation for the top-down approach
- only applies to particular crimes
-original sample

A
  1. 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.
  2. 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
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4
Q

what did lombroso say the characteristics of murderers and sexual deviants were?

A

murderers-curly hair, bloodshot eyes
sexual deviants- glinting eyes, projecting ears

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5
Q

explain these 2 evaluations for atavistic form
-RS-poor control
-contribution to criminology

A

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

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6
Q

what is the general theory behind eysencks perosnality theory?

A

behvaiour can be represented along 2 x dimensions of intorversion/extroversion and neuroticism/stability. they combine to form a no. of characteristics

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7
Q

what is the biological basis of eysencks theory?

A

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)

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8
Q

eval for eysenck: supporting evidence+CA

A

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

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9
Q

eval for eysenck: cultural bias

A

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

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10
Q

eysenck eval: mismeasurement of personality

A

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

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11
Q

what research is there into token economies?

A

hobbs+holt: used token economy in 3 behavioural units with young delinquents. 4th unit=control. found significant difference in bheav comp. to control grp.

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12
Q

strength for behaviour modification+CA: easy

A

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

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13
Q

limitation: behvaioural modification: ethical issues

A

t&c: manipulative+dehumanising- participation=obligatory. offenders choose to follow H/E critics argu withdrawal of priveleges=ehtically questionable

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14
Q

why does CBT work for anger management?

A

navoco argues cog factors trigger arousal which causes aggression

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15
Q

what do behaviourist believe about anger?

A

anger=reinforced by individuals control over situation

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16
Q

what are the 3 stages of anger managment?

A
  1. cognitive prep-refelcts on past experience+identify triggers+ if the way they interpeet sitchs=irrational,therapists tell this
  2. 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
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17
Q

what is kohlbergs level of moral reasoning theory?(3)

A

-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

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18
Q

what are kohlbergs 3 stages?

A
  1. preconventional morality
  2. conventional morality
  3. post conventional morality
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19
Q

how does kohlberg use his 3 stages to describe criminals?

A

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

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20
Q

define cognitive distortions

A

errors/bias in peoples infromation processing system causing faulty thinking

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21
Q

what is hostile attribution bias?(cognitive explanations for crim)

A

violence is ass/ w/ tendency to misinterpret actions of other ppl. mis-read nonaggresive cues triggering a disproportionate response

22
Q

what RS is there into hostile attribtuion bias?

A

55 violent offenders=presented with ambiguous facial expressions. likely to percive images as hostile/aggresive comp to non aggresive cntrl

23
Q

what is minimalisation?

A

attempt to deny/downplay the seriousness of an offence

24
Q

what is the study for minimalisation?

A

35% of child molesters argued crime=not sexual just affectionate
36% stated the victim consented

25
Q

what are the 4 psychological explanations for criminal behaviour?

A

-cognitive
-eysenck
-differential association theory
-psychodynamic

26
Q

eval for cognitive distortions
- application
-descriptive, not explanatory

A

application
-beneficia in treatment-dominant in rehab of sex offenders, CBT establish distorted view of their actions, studies show correlation btwn reducing minimalisation=reducing re-offending
- describe crim mind, doesnt explain, other explanations=more sufficient

27
Q

eval for moral reasoning: individual differences

A

RS-MR=dependent on crime, financial crimes=likely to show pre-conventional MR, impulse crimes-reasoning isnt evident, intelligence=alt predictor of criminality, explains why low IQ=more =less likely to commit crime, but low MR

28
Q

RS in2 moral reasoning

A

330 M=F non-offenders+126 convicted had moral dilemma qs, includ. not taking t=stuff. delinquents=low MR comp to non, consistent with kohlbergs theory

29
Q

what are the 4 aims of sentencing?

A
  1. retribution
  2. incapacitation
  3. deterrence
  4. rehab
30
Q

what are the 3 psychological effects of custodial sentences

A

-stress+depression- higher suicide rates, incr. chance of self-harm/psychological disturbance
-institutionalisation- adapt 2 norms+routines, cant function on outside
-prisonisation- prisoners socialise +adapt to new inmate code. bheav=unacceptable on outisde=encourgaed+rewarded on inside

31
Q

what percentage of offenders re-offend within 1 yr of release?

A

57%

32
Q

eval 4 custodial sentencing: supporting evidence for psychological effects

A

suicide rates=15x higher then gen pop, most=young men within 24hr of confinement. Study by prison reform trust: 25% w,15%m reported psychosis symptoms. Prison=triggers psychological disorders in those vulnerable=not possible to rehab

33
Q

eval 4 custodial sentencing:individual differences

A

can be psychologically challenging, H/E not all ppl react same, length of sentence,reason 4 incaraceration,previous experience of prison=impor factors, those in prison may already have psychological disorders=difficult to make gen conclusions generalizable to all

34
Q

eval 4 custodial sentencing:opps for training+treatment

A

improve character to lead crime-free life e.g education+training-find job,anger management-give insight into their behave.+decr. Recidivism, suggest prison=worthwhile. H/E lack resources+LT benefits=not conclusive

35
Q

when does the superego form?

A

formed at end of the phallic stage when children resolve either: Oedipus/electra complex

36
Q

what did blackburn suggest about the superego?

A

superego=deficient then crim behave=inevitable, id=given free rein+not controlled

37
Q

what are the 3 types of superego?

A
  • weak
    -deviant
    -over-harsh superego
38
Q

how does a weak superego form?

A

no same-sex parent during phallic stage, child=unable to internalize a fully-formed superego, no opp for identification=crim behave=more likely as a result

39
Q

how does a deviant superego form?

A

if superego that the child internalizes is immoral/deviant valuea=offending behave. E.g boy raised by crim father not likely to ass/ guilt w/wrongdoing

40
Q

how does an overly harsh superego form?

A

heathy supergo=firm internal [aren’t. H/E one that is overly harsh=individual=crippled byguilt+anxiety. Unconsciously drives them to perform crim acts to satisfy the superegos overwhelming need for punishment

41
Q

what comes under the psychodynamic explanations for criminality?

A
  • indaquate superego
    -maternal deprivation theory
42
Q

eval for superego: contradictory evidence

A

little evidence to show that those raised w/out a same-sex parent=less abiding-contradicts blackburns weak superego. +those who raised by deviant parents-may due to genetics/socialization hen formation of deviant superego+crim behav. due to unconscious desure 4 punishment=contradicted by those who go to great lengths to conceal crimes-avoid punishment

43
Q

eval for superego: unconscious concepts

A

lack falsifiability-unable to be empirically tested, TF, inadequate superego can only be judged on face value then scientific. Regarded as pseudoscience-contribute little to undertsadning of crime

44
Q

eval for bowlby: methodological issues w/RS

A

-researcher bias as his preconceptions of what he expected to find may have influenced the responsed of his interviews.
- failed to draw distinction-privation,deprivation-many thieves=privation=more damaging

45
Q

eval for bowbly: correlation not causation

A

-analysis of-500 interviews of yng ppl
-found MD=poor predictor of crim+the ability to form close r.ships in adolescence. -Even if link cant infer causation.
-Other explanations for link bwtn deprivation+delinquency e.g genetic+differential diss theory. MD may be 1 reason not sole

46
Q

eval for superego: gender bias

A

-girls develop weaker superego then boys as they do not experience castration anxiety, TF less likely to identify w/mothers. TF sense of morality=weak.
- Implication: fem =prone to crim behav.
- evidence of male-female ratio in prisons disproves
- Study of resisting temptation g+b=no gender differences+female=more moral then boys.

47
Q

eval for top down: classification=too simplistic

A

-2 behavioural categories-not mutually exclusive-variety in each CS
-prompted other RS: walter focused more on motivations rather then ‘types’. TD=too restrictive

48
Q

eval for top down- outdated models of personality

A

suggest personlity+behaviour=consistent
- situational factors=not considered
-not a stable dispositional factor
- poor validity in identifying cirm+future behav.

49
Q

give a few examples of the 7 stage process that the top down approach uses to narrow down suspects

A
  • murder type
    -primary intent
    -victim risk
    -offender risk
  • escalation
    -time factors
    -location factors
49
Q

what is the basis of top-down approach?

A

-inferences can be made from the scenes due to modus operandi of the crim, operate in a similar way that reflects their personality

50
Q
A