Test 1 Flashcards
What do the broad and narrow definitions of forensic psychology have in common?
both definitions involve a contribution to the legal system
Identify some forensic fields in addition to forensic psychology
forensic engineering, forensic linguistics, forensic pharmacy, forensic oceanography, forensic medicine, forensic digital investigation, forensic social work, forensic nursing, forensic pathology, forensic anthropology, and forensic archaeology
What are the five major areas in forensic psychology in which forensic psychologists are employed in addition to academic settings?
police and public safety psychology, legal psychology, psychology of crime and
delinquency, victimology and victim services, and correctional psychology
A forensic psychologist conducting child custody evaluations, visitation risk assessments, and child abuse evaluations is practicing the forensic psychology subspecialty of __________.
legal
psychology
Five areas in which forensic psychologists are employed in addition to academic settings. Subareas of forensic psychology in which forensic psychologists are employed (i.e., types of services provided).
private practice, victim services, sex offender treatment programs, research
organizations, and legal advocacy centers
What type of education/training is offered at the undergraduate and graduate levels to provides students real-world exposure to the field?
internships
There has been a global increase in forensic psychology graduate programs within the past few years. What conclusion can you draw about the field of forensic psychology from this statement?
the field is growing
What are some limitations of a master’s degree compared with a doctoral degree in forensic psychology?
with a master’s degree, one cannot independently practice psychology (not technically a psychologist)
What are some distinctions between the PhD the PsyD degrees?
the PsyD is focused on clinical training, while the PhD focuses on scientific research
What is board certification and what is the most rigorous certification in American forensic psychology?
board certification means that an individual meets the most rigorous standards for practice in the field, and it adds stature to the credentials of individuals who are called to testify in court; the American Board of Forensic Psychology
Recognize examples of what forensic psychologists do within the five major areas of forensic psychology.
Police and public safety psychology (PPSP) is the research and application of psychological principles and clinical skills to law enforcement, and public safety (fitness for duty evals.)
Legal psychology: Scientific study of a wide assortment of topics reflecting the close relationship between psychology and the law (perform evaluations)
Psychology of Crime and Delinquency: Science of the behavioral and mental processes of the adult and juvenile offender. It is primarily concerned with how antisocial behavior is acquired, evoked, maintained, and modified (research and consult)
Victimology and Victim Services: Study of persons who have experienced either actual or threatened physical, psychological, social, or financial harm as the result of the commission or attempted commission of crime against them.
Correctional psychology: Assessment, crisis intervention, substance abuse treatment, or reentry planning.
Know the five major research and practice areas in forensic psychology and identify the most rapidly growing branch.
correctional psychology
Areas in which psychologists have traditionally provided service to police Four general and overlapping domains of police practice
assessment, clinical intervention, operational support, and organizational counseling
Define “police culture.”
the rules, attitudes, beliefs, and practices that are thought to be accepted among law enforcement officers as an occupational group
Understand what is meant by job analysis and distinguish it from preemployment screening and fitness-for-duty evaluations (FFDEs).
Job Analysis: a systematic procedure for identifying the skills, abilities, knowledge, and
psychological characteristics that are needed to do public safety work successfully
Fitness-for-duty evaluations: assessments conducted to determine the psychological ability of law enforcement officers to perform their essential job functions, particularly after experiencing a major stressful event
Preemployment screening: the psychological evaluation that is conducted prior to a conditional offer of employment
What are considered critical traits for successful police officers?
good judgment and common sense, appropriate decision-making skills, interpersonal skills, a solid memory, good observation talents, and communication skills, integrity, trustworthiness, emotional stability, and the ability to remain steady under stress
Understand the meaning of validity, know the various types of validity (concurrent, predictive, content/face), know which type is the most desirable yet most difficult to achieve, and know the distinction between validity and reliability.
Validity: accuracy
Concurrent validity: the extent of the agreement between two measures or assessments taken at the same time
Predictive validity: The degree to which an inventory or test predicts a person’s subsequent performance on the dimensions or attributes the inventory (or test) is designed to measure.
Face/content validity: A test or inventory has face (or content) validity if its questions appear relevant to the tasks needed in law enforcement.
Most desirable, yet most difficult to achieve: predictive validity
Reliability: the consistency of a measure
construct validity: does the test measure what it says it measures?
What is the goal of a fitness-for-duty evaluation (FFDE)?
to ascertain to what extent an employee is, or is not, able to meet job expectations
Which test has been found to be the most valid (and therefore, the most widely used) for the selection of law enforcement personnel?
MMPI-2 (good predictive validity)
Which type of occupational stressor is often the most prevalent and frustrating for law enforcement personnel?
organizational stressors (paperwork, weekend shifts, etc.)
Know the definition of a “critical incident.”
emergencies and disasters that are nonroutine and unanticipated, such as an active
shooter or a family hostage-taking situation involving young children
What is the major underling reason for police suicides?
difficulties in marital or intimate partner relationships
What were the key finding of the National Institute of Justice’s 1999 report on police use of force?
- Police use force infrequently.
- Police use of force typically occurs at the lower end of the force spectrum, involving grabbing, pushing, or shoving.
- Use of force typically occurs when police are trying to make an arrest and the suspect is resisting.
What is the purpose of crime scene profiling?
collect evidence of the crime scene
