Forensic (L8)

Question 1

What is the relevance of personality theory and research to Forensic Psychology?

Answer 1

Specialised psychological assessments such as fitness to stand trial.

Forensic psychology applies psychological principles within legal contexts.

Question 2

Define Personality Disorder.

Answer 2

Impact the personality has on functioning; extreme variants of traits seen across the population (5 factor OCEAN model).

The OCEAN model refers to Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Neuroticism.

Question 3

Summarise the diagnostic criteria for Antisocial Personality Disorder.

Answer 3

Enduring patterns of inner experience and behaviour that deviates from cultural expectations in 2+ areas: affectivity, cognition, interpersonal function, impulse control; inflexible and pervasive.
## Footnote

Reference: leads to clinically significant distress or impairment; stable and enduring; not explained by another disorder.
DSM-5-TR.

Question 4

Define Antisocial Personality Disorder.

Answer 4

Patterns of disregard and violation of the rights of others, behaviour since at least 15 & currently at least 18; indicated by 3+: failure to conform with social norms, deceitfulness, impulsivity, irritability, disregard for safety, consistent irresponsibility, lack of remorse.

Symptoms can become less evident with age.

Question 5

What are the two factors of Psychopathy?

Answer 5

Factor 1: Interpersonal/Affective; Factor 2: Lifestyle/Antisocial.

Factor 1 includes superficial charm and lack of remorse, while Factor 2 includes impulsivity and criminal versatility.

Question 6

List the components of Factor 1 in Psychopathy.

Answer 6

• Interpersonal: superficial charm, grand sense of self-worth, lying, manipulative
• Affective: lack of remorse, failure to accept responsibility

This factor focuses on emotional and relational traits.

Question 7

What is the aetiology of Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD) and psychopathy?

Answer 7

Caused by a range of factors: genes, neurobiological influences, psychosocial influences, severe parental rejection.

Aetiology refers to the causation of a disorder.

Question 8

What psychosocial influences are associated with ASPD and psychopathy?

Answer 8

Sensitivity to reward and punishment; high response to reward, low response to punishment.

These influences can shape behavioural responses and personality development.