Introduction to forensic Psychology: Social Factors and offending Flashcards

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1
Q

What is criminal Psychology

A

The application of psychological theory, knowledge and techniques to offending and the legal system, including: understanding offenders, investigating crime and the psychology of the courtroom

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2
Q

What key areas do you look at in criminal psychology

A

Offending behaviour, police investigations, psychology in the courtroom, officer treatments and prison psychology

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3
Q

How is crime defined?

A

An act of commission, possession or omission typically requiring “Actus rea” (The guilty act) and “mens rea” (The guilty mind) unless it’s a crime of strict liability

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4
Q

What are the main psychological explanations for crime

A

Psychobiological, psychodynamic, behavioural and cognitive

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5
Q

What does the psychobiological perspective question about crime?

A

Whether criminals are born or made and if people are genetically predisposed to crime.

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6
Q

Who is Cesare Lombroso and what was his contribution to the psychobiological explanation to crime

A

Lombroso proposed that criminals have distinct physical features similar to primitive humans, but this notion has been comprehensively debunked

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7
Q

What methods are used in psychobiological research to study crime

A

Family studies, twin studies and adoption studies are used to assess genetic and environmental influences on behaviour

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8
Q

What did Rhee and Waldman find regarding antisocial behaviour in their 2002 paper?

A

They found that environmental factors were stronger influences on antisocial behaviour than genetic ones

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9
Q

How is criminal behaviour likely influenced according to current psychobiological theories

A

Multiple genes acting in combination with environmental triggers are believed to contribute to criminal behaviour

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10
Q

What theory is associated with psychodynamic explanations of crime

A

Attachment theory, primarily developed by Bowlby and Ainsworth

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11
Q

What criticisms exist regarding psychodynamic explanations

A

Criticisms include weak research methodology, excessive emphasis on maternal influence and the idea that damage is irreversible

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12
Q

What is Social Learning Theory in the context of criminal behaviour

A

It posits that criminal behaviour is acquired through direct reinforcement from the environment and modelling or imitation of others such as family and peers

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13
Q

What is the difference between risk factors and causal relationships in crime

A

Risk factors are associated with or predictive of later offending, while causal relationships explain how a risk factor leads to offending behaviour

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14
Q

What is the difference between cross-sectional and longitudinal research?

A

Cross-sectional research looks for differences between offenders and non-offenders at one point in time, while longitudinal research follows individuals over time to study the development of antisocial behaviour

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15
Q

What findings were reported from “The Cambridge study”

A

It found that predictors of delinquency included poor parenting, parent conflict, family criminality socioeconomic deprivation, and childhood behaviour issues

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16
Q

What are the two main approaches to understanding Child-rearing

A

Parenting styles and dimensions of parenting

17
Q

What are the four parenting styles

A

Authoritarian
Authoritative
Permissive
Rejecting neglectful

18
Q

What do each of the parenting styles do

A

Authoritarian = Values obedience and uses punitive punishment
Authoritative = Uses an inductive style of discipline and encourages explanation of right and wrong
Permissive = Allows complete freedom =, leading to impulsivity and poor academic performance
Rejecting-neglectful = Neglectful of children’s needs, leading to various negative outcomes

19
Q

What dimensions of parenting influence child behaviour?

A

Control (discipline) and support (parental warmth), which interact to affect a child’s development and behaviour

20
Q

What types of abuse are mentioned and what are their potential effects

A

Physical, Mental, Sexual, and neglect. Victims are more likely to have a criminal record and engage in violent offenses

21
Q

How does family structure affects delinquency

A

Disrupted families, such as parental divorce or single parenthood, are linked to increased delinquency

22
Q

What is the impact of parental conflict on children

A

Parental conflict can negatively affect children’s cognition and emotions, leading to maladaptive behaviours

23
Q

How do peers and gang affiliations influence delinquent behaviour

A

Associating with delinquent friends increases the likelihood of engaging in delinquent behaviour creating a cycle of influence among peers