Forensic Flashcards
Functional approach
Defines normality by level of ones ability to interact and involve oneself in everyday activites. Functioning refers to everyday activities eg. Eating If you can’t do these things according to this approach you would be abnormal.
Eg. Anorexia, Depression
Historical approach
Defining normal behavior depends on the era, or period of time when the judgement is made.
Eg. In australian society in past sex befroe marriage would be considered abnormal. Today it might be normal to write in paper but not in future. In the future gay marriage might be normal.
Situational approach
Within a society or culture, behavior which may be considered acceptable in one situation may not be considered acceptable in another. Whether it’s normal or not depends on the situation or context.
Eg. Wearing pajamas- not at school
Laughing- not at a funeral
Medical approach
Think of abnormal behavior as a disease or illness (eg. Mental illness), which has an underlying cause resulting from a physiological malfunction. It is assumed that through the use of drugs, surgery etc, illness can be diagnosed and treated . Eg OCD
Statistical approach
Normality is any behavior that is common in a large group. If everyone else does it, it must be normal. Normal distribution. Normal behavior or characteristic is one which is shown by a large majority of people called the statical average. Abnormal is a small group called statical extremity. Eg. Not being able to walk considered abnormal
What is the DSM- IV and how is it used? What information does it provide? What doesn’t it provide.
Stands for Diagnostic and Statistical manual of mental disorders.
Used for diagnosing and classifying mental disorder. Provides
Recognizable symptoms that are precisely described
Typical course of each disorder
Age at which people are most likely to develop disorder
The degree of impairment
The prevalence (how common)
Whether the disorder is likely to affect family members
The relationship of the disorder to gender, age and culture
Causes are not provided unless it can be deffinately established.
What is stigma
An association of disgrace or public disapproval with something, such as a condition eg. Depression
Symptoms of Depression
Depressive mood (feeling sad, hopeless, helpless) for two weeks for most of the day and doesn't improve Anhedonia (show no enjoyment in activities they normally would) Cognitive symptoms (negative thoughts) Psychrometer changes (become agitated, restless, unable to concentrate or relax, delayed reactions) Biological symptoms eg. Sleep disturbance, loss of appetite
Schizophrenia
Delusions (fixed, false or unrealistic beliefs about themselves and the world
Auditory hallucinations hear sounds of people speaking
Thinking may become illogical or unreasonable or speech disorganized
Behavior becomes disorganized or catatonic
Present for at least 6 months and interferes with everyday life
Anxiety
Feelings of panic, fear, and uneasiness Problems sleeping Cold or sweaty hands and/or feet Shortness of breath Heart palpitations An inability to be still and calm Dry mouth Numbness or tingling in the hands or feet Nausea Muscle tension Dizziness
What do forensic psychologists do?
Roles of a forensic psychologist
- advising the police about the type of person likely to have committed a crime (preparing profile)
- assessing a person’s state of mind at the time of committing offense
- assessing whether the person is mentally fit to enter a plea
- giving advice or an expert opinion to a court
- assessing and treating victims or witnesses
- Providing psychological assessment and treatment to offenders
- assessing dangerousness of an offender
- conducting research in areas of forensic psychology
Types of stalkers
Rejected, erotomaniac, intimacy seeking, predatory, incompetent suitor and resentful
Rejected stalker
Has experienced a break up but refuses to accept relationship is over. just can’t let go and do things such as repeatedly approaching, telephoning and writing letters or notes to the victim.
Erotomaniac stalker
Stalker has a mental disorder called erotomaniac a delusional disorder in which the person has a false and fixed belief that another person is in love with them. Communicates with their love by subtle methods such as body posture. Object has little or no contact with them but they try to contact them
The intimacy seeking stalker
Responds to loneliness by trying to establish a close relationship with someone else in an inappropriate way. May begin after brief encounter and they write, send gifts and letters to victim. May stalk for a long period of time and court appearances or jail terms may not stop their stalking
