Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

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


See full index

Psychology > Forensics > Flashcards

Forensics Flashcards

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

The Top down profiling approach was devised by who?

A

FBI in the USA

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

What are the characteristics of an organised offender?

A

Planned, target victim, high degree of control over crime, little or no clues left at crime scene, socially and sexually competent, higher than average IQ, , skilled or professional occupation, married and may have children.

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

What are the 4 stages of constructing an FBI profile?

A

Data assimilation, crime scene classification, crime reconstruction, profile generation.

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

Outline a strength of the top-down approach

A

Canter research on serial killers shows FBI typology has validity

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

Who concluded that organised and disorganised were more of a continuum?

A

Godwin

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

Name three characteristics of the bottom up approach to offender profiling

A

Data driven, profile emerges from anaylsis of crime scene, investigative psychology, geographical profiling

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

What is an offender called who operates close to their operational base called?

A

Marauder

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Which country uses the bottom up offender profiing approach

A

UK

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What is investigative psychology?

A

Using stastical procedures, alongside psychological theory to analyse the crime scene evidence.

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

What is interpersonal coherence?

A

The way an offender behaves at the scene, including how they interact with the victim.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What is forensic awareness?

A

People who have been the subject of police interrogation before, may be mindful of how to ‘cover their tracks’.

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

Outline a strength of the bottom up approach to offender profiling

A
  1. Cater’s research on 66 sexual assaults using the smallest space analysis support the principles of investigative psychology and that people are consistent with their behaviour. 2. Canters research also supports geographical profiling and the centre of gravity.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Outline geographical profiling

A

A form of bottom up profiling based on the principle of spatial consistency, that an offenders operational base and possible future offences are revealed by geographical location of their previos crimes.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Outline a limitation of the bottom up approach to offender profiling

A
  1. Linkage of cases depends on the amount of data in the database (smallest space). 2. Geographical profiling alone is not enough to always led to successful capture of an offender. 3. There are mixed results from police forces as to how helpful the profiling is.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Lombroso’s historical biological approach thought that criminals were genetic what?

A

Throwbacks

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

Name some physical features of murderers according to the Atavistic theory

A

Bloodshot eyes, curly hair and long ears

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

What percentage of crimes did Lombroso’s study claim could be accounted for by atavistic characteristics?

A

40%

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

Why was Goring’s study an improvement on Lombroso’s?

A

It had a control group

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

In the biological approach the degree of similarity between twin pairs and family members on a specific characteristic is called what?

A

Concordance

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

Individuals with antisocial personality disorder may have reduced activity in which area of the brain?

A

The prefrontal cortex

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

In the Mednick study, when both biological and adoptive parents had convictions what was the % of adoptees that had convictions?

A

24.5%

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

A variant of which gene is linked to serotonin in the neural explanation of offending behaviour?

A

MAOA

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

In Eysenck’s theory he suggested that the criminal type would score highly on measures of what?

A

Extraversion, Neuroticism and Psychoticism

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

Name a behaviour that is associated with extraverts

A

seek excitement and stimulation, engage in risk taking behaviour, not easy to condition

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

How would you describe an extraverts nervous system?

A

Their nervous system (RAS) is underactive.

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

How did Farringon find that offenders scored on the EPQ? And is this a strength or weakness or Eysencks theory.

A

High on measures on P but not for E or N, therefore it’s a weakness of the theory.

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

Outline a strength of Eysenck’s theory of the criminal personality

A

Eysencks own research on 2070 prisoners and 2422 controls, taking the EPQ showed that offenders did score higher than the controls on E,N and P.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
28
Q

Outline a limitation of Eysenck’s theory of the criminal personality

A
  1. That offending behaviour can be explained by personlaity traits alone, Moffitt showed it was more about an interaction with the environment and personality. 2. Farringtons research showed offenders had high rates of P but not E or N. 3. Bartol and Holanchock showed cultural issues with the theory, Hispanic and African American offenders scored low on Extraversion.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
29
Q

What are the 3 levels in Kohlbergs theory of moral reasoning?

A

Pre conventional, conventional , post conventional

30
Q

Name a popular dilemma that Kohlberg used to ascertain peoples level of moral reasoning

A

Heinz

31
Q

Which level did Kohlberg suggest offenders were likely to be at?

A

Preconventional

32
Q

Outline a strength of Kohlberg’s theory

A

Evidence by Palmer and Hollin who tested offenders and non offenders levels of morality using the Socio moral reflection measure short form, and found that offenders had less mature moral reasoning than non offenders.

33
Q

Outline a limitation of Kohlbergs theory

A

Different types of crime are associated with different levels of moral reasoning. Thornton & Reid, Financial gain eg Robbery were more likely to show pre conventional reasoning, than those who were convicted of assault.

34
Q

A tendancy to interpret the behaviour of others as threatening or confrontational is called what type of bias?

A

Hostile attribution bias

35
Q

Studies have shown that what type of offender is prone to minimalisation?

A

Sex offenders

36
Q

Outline a strength of cognitive distortions explanation of offending behaviour

A

CBT is a practical application of cognitive distortions. It aims to challenge the irrational thinking and encourages offenders to ‘face up’ to what they have done.

37
Q

Outline a limitation of cognitive distortions explanation of offending behaviour

A

It depends on the level of the offence. Howitt & Sheldon found that gathering questionnaire resposes from sexual offenders, non contact sex offenders used more cognitive distortions than contact sexual offenders.

38
Q

According to Sutherlands Differential association theory, people will commit crime when ……

A

They are exposed to more pro-crime attitudes than anti-crime attitudes

39
Q

According to Sutherland what is the ‘equation’ for crime

A

Frequency x intensity x duration of exposure = criminal/non criminal behaviour

40
Q

Sutherland said that offending arises from 2 factors, what are they?

A

learned attitudes towards crime & the learning of specific offending acts/techniques

41
Q

Why are prisions a potential hazard for criminals according to Sutherland

A

While in prison criminals can learn techniques for other crimes and they ae surrounded by pro-criminal attitudes

42
Q

Outline a strength of Differential association theory

A
  1. It changed the focus of offending explanations, it moved away from the biological Atavists ideas and towards the idea that social circumstances could be to blame. 2. It can account for offending within all sectors of society - working class/blue collar crime and middle class/white collar crime.
43
Q

Outline a limitation of Differential association theory

A
  1. Theory is hard to test the predictions made by the theory. It is practically impossible to operationalise the variable in the ‘equation’ for crime. 2. It is possible to stereotype individuals who have a particular back ground, especially impoverished and crime ridden, suggesting their behaviour is unavoidable.
44
Q

Name the 3 types of inadequate superego according to Blackburn’s psychodynamic explanation of offending.

A

Weak, Deviant and Over-harsh superego’s

45
Q

What psychosexual stage is the superego formed?

A

Phalic stage

46
Q

The superego is based on what principle?

A

Morality principle

47
Q

What is a long term consequence of maternal deprivation according to the psychodynamic explanation?

A

Affectionless psychopath or deliquent behaviour

48
Q

How many of Bowlby’s affectionless psychopaths had experienced prolonged separation from their mothers?

A

12

49
Q

Outline a strength of Psychodynamic explanations of offending behaviour

A

Research to support the psychodynamic approachs link to offending from Goreta. 10 interviews carried out with offenders, all had disturbances in superego formation. All had feelings of guilt and the need for self punishment, this support the idea of the over harsh superego.

50
Q

Outline a limitation of Psychodynamic explanations of offending behaviour

A

Huge amounts of gender bias at the heart of Freuds theory, evidence by the fact that there are many more males than femaes in prison, but Freud claimed women were less moral, so surely there should be more in prison. 2. Evidence for inadequate superego’s in limited. Parents who give harsher forms of discipline tend to raise children who are rebellious & rarely express feelings of guilt. 3. Bowlby’s research on material deprivation and offending is only correlational.

51
Q

What are the 4 main aims of custodial sentancing?

A

Deterrance, Incapication, Retribution & Rehabilitation

52
Q

What are the some of the psychological effects of custodial sentancing

A

Stress and depression, institutionalisation, prisionisation

53
Q

What is recidivism?

A

Reoffending, a tendancy to relapse into a previous condition or mode of behaviour.

54
Q

Outline a strength of custodial sentancing

A
  1. It can provide an opportunity for training and treatment.
55
Q

Outline a limitation of custodial sentancing

A
  1. The numerous psychological effects, suicide rates are nine times higher than in the general population. The amount of psychological issues may not be accuate as they do not consider people conditions before they arrived in prison. 2. Prison can be a school of crime, and make reoffending more likely.
56
Q

What approach in psychology does Token economies derive from?

A

Behaviourism, specifically based on the priciples of behaviour modification through operant conditioning.

57
Q

What is behaviour modification?

A

An application of the behaviourist approach to treatment. The aim is to replace undesirable behaviours with more desirable ones through the selective use of positive and/or negative reinforcement.

58
Q

What is the name of the behaviour modification system used in prison and most instituions?

A

Token economy

59
Q

What kind of reinforcers is a token in token economy

A

Positive secondary reinforcer, as they can be exchanged for a primary reinforcer like a phone call, or foods.

60
Q

Why is it impotant to train staff in how to use the token economy?

A

Training staff means that the rewards system is standardised as behaviours are rewarded in the same way.

61
Q

Outline a strength of behaviour modification in custody

A
  1. Research to support it use from Hobbs and Holtin young offenders. 2 It is easy to implement meaning it can be established in most prisons and accessed by most prisioners.
62
Q

Outline a limitation of behaviour modification in custody

A
  1. T.E offeres little rehabilitative value, especially when they are released and TE stops. Offenders may quickly regress back to their former behaviour. Other treatments like anger management might therfore be more useful. 2 If the TE techniques are not applied consistently and correctly (perhaphs through lack or training/high staff turnover) then the approach will be unsuccessful. 3. Critics of behaviour modification describe it as manipulative and dehumanising. Participation in te schemes are obligatory not optional and human rights campaigners argue that withdrawl of ‘privileges’ eg exercise is unethical.
63
Q

How is CBT used in custodial sentancing?

A

CBT is used for Anger management

64
Q

What are the 3 stages of CBT for anger management?

A

Cognitive preparation, skill acquisition and application practice

65
Q

What were the results of usig the National Anger Management Package in prison

A

Offenders reported increased awareness of their anger management difficulties and an increased capacity to exercise self control

66
Q

Outline a strength of Anger Management in custody

A
  1. The benefits outlast those of behaviour modification in token economies.
67
Q

Outline a limitation of Anger Management in custody

A
  1. Follow up studies have shown that anger management does not reduce re offending rates. 2. Anger management may not benefit all offenders only those that fit a certain profile. 3. Anger management programmes are expensive to run as they need a higly trained specialist.
68
Q

What is restorative justice?

A

A system for dealing with offending behaviour which focuses on the rehabilitation of offenders through reconciliation with the survivor. It enables the offender to see the impact of their crime and serves to empower survivors by giving them a ‘voice’

69
Q

What is the aim of restorative justice?

A

The recovery of the survivor and the rehabilitation of the offender.

70
Q

Name 4 of the key features of the restorative justice programme

A

Trained mentor supervises meeting, non courtroom setting, Face to face or video linked, survivor can confront offender and explain how it affected them, active involvement from both parties, focus on positive outcomes for both parties, other people the crime has affected can be present to.

71
Q

Outline a strength of the restorative justice programme

A
  1. Research has shown that some of the aims, helping survivors cope with the aftermath of the incident have been successful. Only 2% siad it made them feel worse. 2. Restorative justice has a positive impact on reoffending shown by a meta analysis of 10 students by Strang.
72
Q

Outline a limitation of the restorative justice programme

A
  1. Not all research for restorative justice is positive, Suzuki states the process is not as survivor focessed as reported. Often the use of rehabilitation for the offender takes the focus. 2. The system can be abused, offenders could use it to avoid punishment, play down their faults or even take pride in meeting the survivor face to face. 3. There is a big question to its use in cases of domestic violence, evidence here is mixed.

Psychology (11 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions