W9 The Psychology of Justice Flashcards
What is the key idea behind incapacitation in the justice system?
Limiting the opportunity to re-offend through collective incapacitation (longer sentences for all offenders) or selective incapacitation (incarcerating individuals predicted to re-offend).
What are the two types of incapacitation?
Collective incapacitation and selective incapacitation.
What factors are assessed for incapacitation?
Static factors (e.g., gender, age, SES) and dynamic factors (e.g., behaviors, treatment, current circumstances).
What are the criticisms of incapacitation?
It’s expensive (~$100,000 AUD per prisoner per year), often inefficient, and assessment techniques can be inflexible and inaccurate.
What is the difference between specific deterrence and general deterrence?
Specific deterrence aims to prevent future offending by a particular person, while general deterrence seeks to deter potential offenders through the threat of punishment.
What meta-analysis findings challenge the effectiveness of deterrence?
Some studies suggest a slight increase in re-offending rates following punishment (Smith et al., 2002).
What arguments are made in favor of the death penalty?
It’s considered an effective deterrent that may reduce homicides, with various statistical correlations suggesting a negative relationship between execution rates and homicide rates.
What are the criticisms against the death penalty?
Concerns about flawed statistics, alternative explanations for crime rate reductions, modeling violence, and issues around certainty of guilt.
What does “rehabilitation” aim to achieve in the justice system?
Preparing offenders for reintegration into society, although its effectiveness is debated.
What are key components of effective rehabilitation programs?
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), focus on problem-solving, communication skills, and involving family where possible.
What is the principle of retributive justice?
Punishment should be equivalent to the harm done, emphasizing moral philosophy’s idea of “an eye for an eye.”
What are some criticisms of retributive justice?
It can be expensive, leads to high prison populations, and involves subjective emotional responses from victims and jurors.
What is the goal of restorative justice?
To restore the victim, offender, and community through a bilateral process involving the offender and sometimes the victim.
What are the positive outcomes associated with restorative justice?
Increases in court attendance and potential reductions in re-offending rates.
What biological factors influence criminal behavior according to David Eagleman?
Biological and physiological factors affect personality, behavior, and moral reasoning.
