Lecture 1: Overview of Forensic Psychology Flashcards
external validity
- This form of validity basically refers to the extent to which findings from a study can be generalized to the real world.
- Many laboratory studies conducted in forensic psychology have low external validity because they are highly artificial. For example, consider the typical study that examines the accuracy of eyewitness testimony.
- The study will usually be conducted in a laboratory setting (rather than outside), where undergraduate (rather than real eyewitnesses) are exposed to video taped scenarios (rather than real events).
forensic psychology (narrow definition)
A field of psychology that examines issues arising out of the interaction between human behaviour and the law, legal system, or legal process.
internal validity
This form of validity basically refers to the extent to which we, as researchers, can be confident in stating that observed experimental findings are due to particular variables (that we manipulate as part of an experiment).
learning theories of crime
Theories of crime that primarily rely on principles of conditioning (e.g., learning from consequences). An example is Bandura’s social learning theory, which argues that the degree to which you interact with antisocial peers will predict your involvement in crime
personality theories of crime
Theories of crime that primarily rely on the personality make-up of criminals and how their personality make-up differs from law-abiding citizens. An example is Eysenck’s bio-social theory of crime, which argued that criminals are high on psychopathy, neuroticism, and extraversion
psychodynamic theories of crime
Theories of crime that primarily rely on the internal dynamics of the offender and the importance of early childhood experiences. An example is Bowlby’s theory of maternal deprivation, which argues that if you deprive infants of maternal caregiving within certain critical windows, they cannot develop the ability to form prosocial bonds. This is one of the factors that leads people to a life of crime.
example of psychology and the law
studying whether low SES people are more likely to commit crime
example of psychology in the law
expert testimony
example of psychology of the law
trying to understand why judges have discretion in Canada
why isn’t psychology of the law common?
because most forensic psychologists don’t have the legal training necessary to study these issues
nomothetic research
understanding principles and processes at a group level
idiographic research
understanding principles on a case-by-case basis
the beginning of forensic psychology: Cattell, 1893
- Investigated the psychology of testimony (memory abilities of students)
- Asked participants about things they see in their everyday lives, like apples and horses
- He found that their answers were often inaccurate
- Students differed in their levels of confidence
- Foreshadowed future research on eyewitness testimonies
wrongful convinctions and eyewitness testimony
Over 80% of wrongful convictions today are due to inaccuracies in eyewitness testimonies
problem with Cattell’s 1893 study
it has poor external validity
forensic psychology in Europe (Stern and Liszt, 1910)
- Mimicked a classroom situation where someone pulled out a revolver
- They found that answers were often inaccurate
- Emotions reduced recall accuracy
the emergence of expert witnesses (Von Schrenck-Notzing, 1896)
- German expert witness
- Extensive pre-trial press coverage
- Uncovered retroactive memory falsification
- What we see is not always what is reported
retroactive memory falsification
confusion around what a witness saw vs. heard
Forensic Psychology in North America (Munsterberg, 1908)
- Published On the Witness Stand about the potential role of psychology in the legal system
- Resistance from legal scholars
- Pushed psychology into the legal arena
Fernald and Healy, 1909
- First clinic for delinquents
- Juvenile Pyschopathic Institute
- Diagnosis, treatment, and reserach
- One of the first times a psychologist and psychiatrist worked together
forensic psychology in the 1910s
- Psychological services in prison
- Psychological services for police
- Tests for personnel selection
Varendonck, 1911
- Belgian murder trial
- Children giving different evidence
- Showed inaccurate recall in children
Marbe, 1911
- Provided testimony in a civil trial
- Involved a train wreck
- Conducted reaction time studies
Marston, 1922
- First professor of legal psychology
- Research on lie detection
- Invented the polygraph test
- Also created Wonder Woman
period of rapid growth of forensic psychology
- Rapid growth in the post war period
- Court cases
- Psychological theories
people v. Hawthorne
standard for determining expert status is not a medical degree but the extent of knowledge
Brown v. Board of Education
psychologists submitted brief outlining detrimental effects of segregation
psychological theories
- Psychodynamic theories (Bowlby)
- Learning theories (Bandura)
- Personality theories (Eysenck)
forensic psychology as a distinct discipline
- Increase in books
- Increase in journals
- Increase in associations
- Increase in degree programs
- Code of ethics
ethical issues
- Competence
- Conflicts of interest
- Informed consent
- Client confidentiality
- Duty to disclose
- Suspected child abuse
forensic psychology broad definition
The professional practice by psychologists within the areas of clinical psychology, counseling psychology, neuropsychology, and school psychology, when they are engaged regularly as experts and represent themselves as such, in an activity primarily intended to provide professional expertise to the judicial system
competence
- You should work within your area of competence
- Defined by dissertation topics, publication, training, education, etc.
conflicts of interest
we should try to minimize them and be transparent when they occur
informed consent
must be granted in both a research and clinical setting
client confidentiality
challenging in a forensic setting because it isn’t always clear who your client is
duty to disclose
psychologists must disclose threats to harm someone
suspected child abuse
must be disclosed in all settings
