Introduction Lecture

Question 1

Forensic psychology definition

Answer 1

A field of psychology that deals with all aspects of human behaviour as it relates to the law or legal system
- notably, forensic psychology excuses civil cases, and focuses just on criminal cases

Question 2

The Narrow approach to for. Psy.

Answer 2

Focuses only on the applied/ clinical part of forensic psychology. Used in the US, where strict criteria are required to become a forensic psychologist

Question 3

The Broad approach to for. Psy.

Answer 3

Applied, clinical, and research. Used in Canada, where criteria of criminal psychologist are much more loose

Question 4

In Canada, what is the main goal of For. psych?

Answer 4

Development of treatment for criminals

Question 5

Role of Forensic Psychologist as a Clinician

Answer 5

• Assessment of mental health issues as they pertain to the law or legal system
• Example: police officer screening, rehabilitation evaluation
• must be licensed

Question 6

Role of Forensic Psychologist as a researcher

Answer 6

• While also working on mental health issues, the also examine issues relating to the legal system
• Example: tests to predict risk of crime, analysis of questioning styles
• minimum: masters degree

Question 7

Role of Forensic Psychologist as a Legal scholar

Answer 7

Engage in the analysis of the mental health of law

- very rare, they often consult other forensic psychologists

Question 8

What is the difference between a Forensic Psychiatrist and Forensic Psychologist?

Answer 8

Psychiatrists have a medical degree, so they can prescribe medication. Tend to rely on medical model of psychology

The psychologist will incorporate wider view of mental health when assessing criminal behaviour

Question 9

Define psychology AND the law

Answer 9

a. Analyzes the legal system from a psychological perspective and criticizes flaws
b. Eg. Assumptions of the law, eyewitness accuracy, partiality of judges, etc.
c. Goal: to improve and change the legal system

Question 10

Define psychology IN the legal system

Answer 10

a. Applying principles of psychology to certain jobs in the legal system
b. Eg. A police officer using psychological techniques to interrogate a suspect

Question 11

Define psychology OF the legal system

Answer 11

a. Use of psychology to examine the law itself
b. Eg. Look at whether certain laws actually reduce crime
c. Goal is to improve in the future

Question 12

What are the three levels of courts in Canada?

Answer 12

1. Trial courts
2. Appeal court
3. Supreme court

Question 13

Explain psychodynamic theories of crime

Answer 13

1. Freudian theories involving the Id, Ego, and Superego are employed to explain crime
2. Bowlby’s Theory of Maternal Deprivation
3. Hirschi’s Social Control Theory (Social Bond Theory)

Question 14

Briefly describe the three types of superegos

Answer 14

1. Harsh superego
   - feelings of guilt abut everything, crime committed to get punishment that will relieve the guilt
2. Weak superego
   - superego fails to regulate the Id, leads to guiltless, unfeeling criminals
3. Deviant superego
   - parental models were bad examples, shaping the child’s morality badly

Question 15

Define Bowlby’s theory of Maternal Deprivation

Answer 15

a. Any disruption of the child-mother relationship during early childhood
b. May result in irreversible long term effects, especially on ability to create meaningful prosocial relationships

Question 16

What are the four types of bonds defined by Hirschi’s Social Control Theory?

Answer 16

1. attachment
   - relationships keep people from crime
2. commitment
   - having a job, going to school
3. involvement
   - time spent in activities benefiting society
4. belief
   - conviction about obeying the law

Question 17

According to Hirschi’s Social Control Theory, why are the four types of bonds important?

Answer 17

If one or more of them is broken by an individual, they are more likely to commit crime

Question 18

Define classical learning theory

Answer 18

Pairing of two different stimuli can produce unrelated effect to one stimuli

Question 19

Define Operant conditioning

Answer 19

Behaviour is controlled by consequences: positive and negative reinforcement

Question 20

Define vicarious learning

Answer 20

Learning from observing peers

Question 21

Briefly describe Eyesenk’s Biosocial Theory of Crime

Answer 21

• Three dimensions to personality: Extraversion, neuroticism, psychoticism
• Essentially, people with high levels of neuroticism and extraversion are most likely to exhibit criminal behaviour, because they are under stimulated and unable to learn from actions

Question 22

Define Kernberg’s Theory of Borderline Personality Organization

Answer 22

Personality is organized along a continuum from psychotic, to borderline, to neurotic

Question 23

Define a psychotic person

Answer 23

absence of reality testing (out of touch) and use of primitive defense mechanisms
Result: when they commit crime, they are deemed “unfit”

Question 24

Define a borderline person

Answer 24

They have some capacity for being in touch with reality, but still use primitive defense mechanisms and it’s easy for them to get caught for their crimes

Question 25

Define a neurotic person

Answer 25

they are very in touch with reality, as well as high level defense mechanisms
Result: Plan outcome, divorce emotion, less likely to get caught

Question 26

How does primitive defense enable criminal behavior?

Answer 26

If you deny that something is bad to do, you won’t feel guilty about it