Psychopathology Flashcards - Midterm 1 (2)
What is forensic psychology?
Forensic psychology is a discipline that applies psychological knowledge to legal issues.
What are some common topics of forensic psychological reports?
What are psychological reports useful for?
Criminal responsibility
Risk assessment
Competence to stand trial
Credibility of eyewitness testimony
Confession evidence
Line-up outcomes
Child-care and custody
What are some psychopathological consequences of crime?
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in victims
How does forensic psychology differ from forensic psychiatry?
Forensic psychiatry is a medical field, focusing on the practical, patient-centered aspects of mental disorders and their legal implications, while forensic psychology is more focused on psychological theories of mental disorders and crime.
How are psychological theories applied to understanding violent crime?
Psychological theories, particularly those focusing on personality and mental disorders, are heavily drawn upon to explain violent and shocking crimes
What specific psychological orientations are used to analyze the development of functional concepts of psychopathy and criminality?
Cognitive, behavioral, and psychodynamic orientations are combined to analyze the development of functional concepts of psychopathy and criminality.
What are some specific psychological schools of thought related to criminal behavior?
Behaviorism
Psychodynamic interpretation
Cognitive theories
Biologically oriented theories
What are the two main behavioral theories of criminal behavior?
Conditioning theories and learning theories
How do conditioning theories explain criminal behavior?
Conditioning theories suggest that criminal behavior is shaped through stimulus pairing (classical conditioning) and reinforcement/punishment (operant conditioning).
Who are the key figures in conditioning theory?
B.F. Skinner (operant conditioning) and Ivan Pavlov (classical conditioning)
How does learning theory explain criminal behavior?
Learning theory suggests that criminal behavior is learned through observation and association with others.
What are the key traits of psychopathy?
Superficial charm, grandiosity, pathological lying, lack of remorse, impulsivity, irresponsibility, criminal versatility.
How prevalent is psychopathy in criminal populations?
Psychopathy is common in criminal populations and is linked to recidivism, violence, and dangerousness.
What is the primary assessment tool for psychopathy?
The Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R)
What are some ethical concerns related to the use of the psychopathy label?
Use of the psychopathy label in youth and high-stakes legal decisions (e.g., capital sentencing).
How does the PCL-R measure psychopathy?
The PCL-R is a 20-item checklist measuring emotional, interpersonal, and behavioral traits.
What is the predictive validity of the PCL-R?
The PCL-R is a strong predictor of violent recidivism and criminogenic risk.
What is the modern focus in understanding offenders?
The focus has shifted from classic notions like the understanding of right and wrong to offenders’ characteristics that predict recidivism.
What are some underlying assumptions in the study of offender characteristics?
Moral Theory of Justice: There’s an underlying moral theory of justice that guides our understanding of criminal behavior.
Consensus on Criminal Irresponsibility: There needs to be a consensus on what constitutes criminal irresponsibility.
Reliable and Valid Measurement: The concepts used to measure offender characteristics must be reliable and valid.
How has neuroscience impacted forensic psychology?
Forensic practice has begun to use brain scans as diagnostic tools.
What are the limitations of using brain scans in forensic psychology?
-It’s unclear to what extent brain abnormalities cause or correspond with psychopathology or criminal behavior.
-The nature of techniques like fMRI, which involve thousands of statistical tests, can be complex and open to interpretation.
How can neuroscience influence judicial decisions?
Research suggests that the inclusion of neuroscientific information in forensic reports can influence judges in unexpected ways, such as making them more lenient towards psychopaths if their condition is explained in terms of brain abnormalities.
What is Adrian Raine’s contribution to the understanding of criminal behavior?
Raine’s neuropsychological perspective suggests that criminal behavior is a clinical condition linked to brain abnormalities, particularly in the prefrontal cortex.
What are the implications of Raine’s research for the concept of culpability?
Raine’s research raises questions about culpability, as it suggests that criminal behavior may be rooted in biological factors beyond an individual’s control.
How does Raine’s work relate to earlier biological theories of crime?
Raine’s work builds upon earlier biological theories, such as Lombroso’s, but seeks to provide more nuanced and scientifically rigorous explanations for criminal behavior.
What are the criticisms of biological theories of crime?
Critics argue that biological theories, including Raine’s, can be reductionist and deterministic, potentially leading to harmful social and legal implications. They also point to the limitations of brain imaging studies and the complex interplay between biological and environmental factors in shaping criminal behavior.
What are some common risk assessment instruments used in forensic psychology?
HCR-20, SVR-20, PCL-R
How accurate are risk assessment tools?
The predictive accuracy of risk assessment tools varies, and they should not be used as the sole determinant of detention, sentencing, or release decisions.
How should forensic psychologists use risk assessment tools?
Forensic psychologists should rely on multiple measures to reach their conclusions. However, simply accumulating more imperfect information does not necessarily increase the accuracy of the overall assessment.
How does psychological reasoning differ from legal reasoning?
Psychology tends to explain behavior through various factors like unconscious processes, environment, cognition, or neurobiology, sometimes diminishing personal responsibility. In contrast, legal systems emphasize individual responsibility, regardless of psychological or biological influences.
What is the traditional approach to disordered offenders in the legal system?
Traditionally, disordered offenders were not fully punished due to their diminished responsibility.
How has the legal system’s approach to disordered offenders shifted?
The focus has shifted from responsibility for past crimes to assessing the risk of future crimes
What is the role of risk assessment in the modern approach to disordered offenders?
Risk assessment tools are used to predict future danger, which influences decisions about incarceration or treatment.
What are the implications of this shift in focus?
This shift emphasizes risk management over rehabilitation, potentially moving away from a more humane approach to the justice system.
What is the purpose of periodic evaluations for forensic patients?
Forensic psychiatrists and psychologists assess the threat level posed by patients to determine if they can be safely reintegrated into society.
How do forensic patient evaluations differ from regular prisoner evaluations?
The release of forensic patients hinges on expert evaluations, unlike regular prisoners. This places a significant responsibility on forensic psychologists to make accurate decisions.
How accurate are periodic evaluations of forensic patients?
Research suggests that these decisions are not flawless. However, forensic patients have relatively lower recidivism rates compared to regular prisoners, indicating some effectiveness at the population level.
What are the consequences of false negatives in risk assessment?
Dangerous individuals may be released if they are incorrectly deemed not at risk.
What are the consequences of false positives in risk assessment?
Individuals who are ready to return to society may be incarcerated for longer periods than necessary.
Why are false positives difficult to detect in risk assessments?
It’s challenging to identify individuals who are incorrectly deemed dangerous, leading to potential over-incarceration of disordered criminals.
How accurate are risk assessments for forensic patients?
While not perfect, risk assessments for forensic patients have shown some validity at the population level, as evidenced by lower recidivism rates compared to regular prisoners.
What is the primary training pathway for forensic psychologists?
Most forensic psychologists graduate from clinical psychology programs and receive on-the-job training in forensic clinics.
What are the limitations of the current training pathways for forensic psychologists?
Lack of legal training and inadequate preparation for the unique challenges of the forensic field.
How does the focus of work differ between clinical and forensic psychologists?
Clinical psychologists work for the patient, while forensic psychologists work for the judge or hospital.
How does the issue of privacy differ between clinical and forensic settings?
Patient privacy is prioritized in clinical settings, but much less so in forensic environments.
How does patient motivation differ between clinical and forensic settings?
Clinical patients are typically motivated to improve, whereas forensic patients often cause suffering and may be uncooperative.
What is the fundamental difference in focus between clinical and forensic psychology?
Clinical psychology is client-centered, while forensic psychology is truth-centered.
How does the therapist-patient relationship differ in clinical and forensic settings?
In clinical settings, the focus is on building a strong therapeutic relationship and showing empathy. In forensic settings, the focus is on evaluation and objectivity, which can sometimes conflict with the therapeutic relationship.
How can the dual role of therapist and evaluator impact the therapeutic relationship in forensic settings?
If a therapist is also evaluating a patient, it can be challenging to maintain a strong therapeutic alliance, especially if the therapist’s evaluation is negative.
What are the stakes of misdiagnosis in forensic settings compared to clinical settings?
The consequences of misdiagnosis in forensic settings are significantly greater, as they can impact legal decisions and individual liberties.
How does the audience for forensic psychological evaluations differ from that of scientific research?
Forensic psychologists present their evaluations to lay consumers (judges) with limited psychological knowledge, unlike scientific researchers who are peer-reviewed by experts.
What are the challenges of transparency in forensic psychology?
The sensitive nature of forensic cases makes it difficult to share information openly, limiting opportunities for peer learning and feedback.
What is forensic psychopathology?
Forensic psychopathology is a discipline that combines psychology, psychiatry, and law. It involves assessing and treating individuals with mental disorders who have come into contact with the legal system.
Why is forensic psychology a popular field?
Forensic psychology is popular due to its potential impact on people’s lives and the intriguing intersection of psychology and law.
What is the size of the forensic patient population relative to the general prison population?
The number of forensic patients is a small fraction of the total prison population.
How does media coverage affect public perception of forensic treatment?
Media coverage often focuses on recidivism among forensic ex-patients, leading to a negative public perception of forensic treatment.
How does the recidivism rate of forensic ex-patients compare to that of ex-prisoners?
Forensic ex-patients have a significantly lower recidivism rate compared to ex-prisoners, even when controlling for crime type.
What are the historical origins of forensic psychology?
The earliest uses of forensic psychology can be traced back to Ancient Greece and India, where criminal insanity defenses were applied to individuals with intellectual impairments.
When did forensic psychology start to take shape in modern times?
Forensic psychology began to take shape in Europe during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.
What was the significance of the James Hadfield case?
The James Hadfield case led to a broadening of the definition of insanity, allowing for individuals who were not completely detached from reality to use an insanity defense.
What was the outcome of the Criminal Lunatics Act of 1800?
The Criminal Lunatics Act of 1800 established indefinite confinement as the standard outcome for insanity acquittals.
Who introduced the concept of “manie sans délire”?
Phillippe Pinel
What was the significance of “manie sans délire”?
It challenged the traditional view of insanity as solely linked to intellectual impairment, paving the way for future research on psychopathy.
What was the outcome of the Daniel McNaughten case?
The McNaughten Rule was established, setting a legal standard for insanity defenses.
What did the McNaughten Rule establish?
The McNaughten Rule established a clear legal standard for insanity defenses, which remains influential today.
Who pioneered the study of the psychology of testimony?
J. McKeen Cattell
What did Cattell’s study on eyewitness memory reveal?
Cattell’s study demonstrated the unreliability of eyewitness memory recall.
How did Cattell’s findings impact the field of forensic psychology?
Cattell’s findings highlighted the practical value of psychological expertise in legal settings.
Who were some other early researchers in the field of forensic psychology?
Joseph Jastrow, Alfred Binet, and Louis William Stern
What role did Stern envision for psychologists in the legal system?
Stern believed that psychologists should play a significant role in the legal system, providing expert testimony and influencing legal decisions.
What is the significance of the Journal of Forensic Psychology Practice?
The journal marked the continued growth and development of forensic psychology as a field.
Who were the two key figures who recognized the importance of psychology in the legal system?
Sigmund Freud and Hugo Munsterberg
What did Freud argue about the role of psychology in the legal system?
Freud argued that psychological methods could be used to uncover hidden truths in legal proceedings.
What did Munsterberg argue about the role of psychology in the legal system?
Munsterberg argued that psychology could be used to improve the decision-making processes of judges, juries, and attorneys.
How were Freud and Munsterberg’s ideas received by the legal community?
Both Freud and Munsterberg’s ideas were initially met with skepticism and criticism.
What was the lasting impact of Freud and Munsterberg’s work?
While their ideas were not immediately accepted, their work laid the foundation for the development of forensic psychology and continues to influence the field.
What was the significance of the Hidden v. Mutual Life Insurance Co. case? .
This case established the admissibility of psychologist testimony in civil proceedings
How did Brown v. Board of Education contribute to the advancement of forensic psychology?
Psychologists provided expert testimony in this case, demonstrating the value of psychological expertise in legal proceedings.
What was the significance of the Jenkins v. United States case?
This case established that psychologists could offer expert testimony on mental disorders in criminal cases, even without a medical degree.
What significant development occurred in 1969 for forensic psychology?
The American Psychology-Law Society was created, marking the field’s first formal professional organization.
What was the significance of the American Board of Forensic Psychology’s certification?
It established a standard for professional competence in forensic psychology.
How did forensic psychologists establish themselves as treatment providers?
By developing standardized guidelines and engaging in treatment-related activities.
What was Loh’s assessment of the field of forensic psychology in 1981?
Loh declared that the field had “come of age.”
What criticism was leveled against the evolution of forensic psychology?
Ogloff criticized the field for being aimless and haphazard, and urged forensic psychologists to be more proactive in influencing the legal system and advancing social justice.
How has forensic psychology evolved in recent decades?
Forensic psychology has become a recognized specialization, with a growing body of research and a broader scope of practice.
What are some key areas of focus in contemporary forensic psychology research and practice?
Risk assessment, forensic neuropsychology, trauma and criminal behavior, psychopathy, forensic media psychology, and restorative justice.
How has forensic psychology contributed to the field of restorative justice?
Forensic psychologists can provide valuable expertise in restorative justice practices, such as reconciliation and restoration through dialogue.
What is a significant issue in forensic psychology related to the criminal justice system?
Racial disproportionality
What efforts have been made to address multicultural competence in psychology?
The APA has published guidelines on multicultural education, training, research, practice, and organizational change.
What guidelines have been developed for research in ethnic minority communities?
The Council of National Psychological Associations for the Advancement of Ethnic Minority Interests developed guidelines for research in ethnic minority communities.
What is a significant issue in forensic psychology related to race and the criminal justice system?
The disproportionate representation of BIPOC individuals within the criminal justice system.
How has the lack of attention to race in forensic psychology impacted understanding of BIPOC individuals?
It has created theoretical and empirical blind spots, hindering a nuanced understanding of BIPOC experiences and needs.
What are some concerns regarding the use of forensic assessment instruments with BIPOC individuals?
The use of instruments that have not been validated for BIPOC populations and the reliance on collateral data that may be biased.
How does the gap between APA policy and practice regarding race and culture impact forensic psychology?
The use of instruments that have not been validated for BIPOC populations and the reliance on collateral data that may be biased.
What is the role of forensic psychologists in addressing racial disparities in the criminal justice system?
Forensic psychologists play a crucial role in informing legal decisions that can impact the lives of BIPOC individuals. It is important for them to be aware of and address issues of racial bias in their work.
What is a common public fascination related to criminal behavior?
The motivations and inner-workings of the “criminal mind.”
How is criminal behavior often culturally understood?
Through psychological theories and explanations, such as mental illness, insanity defenses, and psychological histories.
What media has contributed to public awareness of criminal psychopathology?
Television shows, documentaries, films, and podcasts.
How can media depictions of criminal behavior influence public perception?
Media depictions can influence juror perceptions, public opinion, and even policy decisions.
What is an example of how media can influence public perception of a specific psychological construct?
The television show Dexter can influence public perception of psychopathy.
What film significantly popularized forensic psychology in the 1990s?
Silence of the Lambs
How did Silence of the Lambs contribute to the public perception of forensic psychology?
It popularized the use of psychological theories in criminal investigations, particularly through the portrayal of FBI profilers.
What other media has popularized forensic psychology?
Television shows like Mindhunter, Criminal Minds, and films like Copycat, Kiss the Girls.
How has media representation influenced the public’s understanding of forensic psychology?
Media depictions have shaped public perceptions of forensic psychology, often emphasizing dramatic and sensationalized cases.
