Forensic Psychology Flashcards
(7 cards)
What is forensic psychology?
A specialty in professional psychology characterized by activities primarily intended to provide professional psychological expertise within the judicial and legal systems
When do mental health issues become legal ones?
- Testing for competency to stand trial
- Using the insanity defense
- Involuntary commitment to a mental institution
- RIghts of mental patients
What is criminal profiling?
Looking at the characteristics of the crime and scene and trying to surmise what they can about the offender
What are the types of criminal profiling?
- Clinical profiling (diagnostic evaluation)
- Typological profiling (crime scene analysis)
- Investigative psychology
- Geographical profiling
- Behavioral evidence analysis
What are the types of crime?
- Violent crime – bodily harm
- Property crime – no bodily harm but involves private property
- White-collar crime – crimes in the name of fraud by businessmen
- Organized crime – criminal activity committed by an organized group of individuals
- Victimless or consensual crime – does not directly harm individuals
What are the models of psychopathology and possible pathways of influence to crime?
(Multipat H Model)
Biological
* Genetics
* Brain anatomy
* CNS function
Psychological
* Personality
* Cognition
* Coping skills
* Emotion
* Early experiences
Social
* Family
* Interpersonal relationships
* Belonging
* Marital status
* Community
* Social support
Sociocultural
* Race
* Gender
* Sexual orientation
* Region
* Socioeconomic status
What are the three theories of criminal behavior?
Strain theory
* Proposal that pressure derived from social factors, such as lack of income or lack of quality education drive individuals to commit crime
Rational choice theory
* Humans are reasoning actors who weigh means and ends, costs and benefits, in order to make a rational choice
* Fear of punishment can control behavior
Social learning theory
* Social behavior is learned by observing and imitating the behavior of others
