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Psych Paper 3 > Forensic Psychology > Flashcards

Forensic Psychology Flashcards

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1
Q

What is the primary tool employed by police in the Top Down Approach of offender profiling?

A

Characteristics of the offender can be deduced from the characteristics of the crime scene

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2
Q

What is the aim of the Top Down Approach in offender profiling?

A

To narrow field of enquiry and list of suspects

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3
Q

In the Top Down Approach, how does the behaviour towards the victim differ between organised and disorganised offenders?

A

Organised: Victim targeted, controls conversation
Disorganised: Victim selected at random, crime unplanned, avoids conversation

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4
Q

What are some characteristics of organised criminals according to the Top Down Approach?

A
  • High intelligence
  • Socially competent
  • Sexually competent
  • Skilled occupation
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5
Q

What are some characteristics of disorganised criminals according to the Top Down Approach?

A
  • Average/lower intelligence
  • Socially immature
  • Sexually incompetent
  • Lives alone
  • Lives close to crime scene
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6
Q

What is a major limitation of the Top Down Approach in offender profiling?

A

Only applies to particular crimes

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7
Q

True or False: The Top Down Approach is best suited for common offences like burglary.

A

False

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8
Q

What was the sample size and composition used to develop the Top Down Approach?

A

Interviews with 36 killers in the US; 25 serial killers and 11 single/double murderers

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9
Q

What evidence contradicts the disorganised type in the Top Down Approach?

A

Canter et al (2004) found evidence of distinct organised type but not for disorganised

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10
Q

What is the main aim of the Bottom Up Approach in offender profiling?

A

To generate a picture of the offender through analysis of the crime scene

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11
Q

What are the two types of offenders identified in the Bottom Up Approach?

A
  • Marauder (kills within neighbourhood)
  • Commuter (travels to commit crime)
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12
Q

What does geographical profiling rely on?

A

Analysis of spatial consistency in offender behavior

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13
Q

What did Lundrigan & Canter (2001) find in their meta-analysis regarding geographical profiling?

A

Spatial consistency in behavior of offenders, more noticeable for those who travelled short distances

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14
Q

What is a significant criticism of the Bottom Up Approach?

A

Concentrating on location may cause investigators to miss important information

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15
Q

What was the outcome of the Rachel Nickell case regarding offender profiling?

A

Colin Stagg was wrongfully targeted; Robert Napier was later convicted

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16
Q

What does Atavistic form refer to in biological explanations of criminal behavior?

A

Criminals are seen as evolutionary throwbacks, biologically different from non-criminals

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17
Q

List key characteristics of offenders according to Lombroso’s Atavistic form.

A
  • Narrow, sloping brow
  • Strong, prominent jaw
  • High cheekbones
  • Facial asymmetry
  • Dark skin
  • Extra toes, nipples, fingers
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18
Q

What was one of the main criticisms of Lombroso’s Atavistic theory?

A

Scientific racism and distinct racial undertones

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19
Q

What did Goring (1913) conclude about criminals compared to non-criminals?

A

There was no evidence that offenders are a distinct group with unusual characteristics

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20
Q

What was the significance of the Mobley Defence in criminal cases?

A

It was one of the first cases where genetic factors were used in defense

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21
Q

What did Brunner’s study (1993) reveal about a family with a genetic abnormality?

A

All affected males showed a genetic mutation linked to violent behavior

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22
Q

What are mirror neurons and their relevance to antisocial personality disorders?

A

They help us understand and interpret the actions of others; in APDs, empathy is sporadic

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23
Q

What did the twin studies by Lange (1930) and Christiansen (1977) reveal about criminality?

A

Higher concordance rates for criminality in MZ twins compared to DZ twins

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24
Q

Fill in the blank: The Diathesis Stress model combines _____ and _____ to explain criminality.

Study These Flashcards
A

[genetic predisposition] and [environmental factors]

25
What are Eysenck's three dimensions of personality associated with criminal behavior?
* Extraversion * Neuroticism * Psychoticism
26
What did Palmer and Hollin (1998) find regarding moral reasoning in offenders?
Offenders showed less mature moral reasoning than non-delinquent groups
27
What is hostile attribution bias?
Perceiving others' actions as aggressive when they may not be
28
What is minimalization in the context of criminal behavior?
Downplaying the seriousness of an offense
29
What did Schonenberg & Justye (2014) find regarding violent offenders' perception of facial expressions?
Violent offenders were more likely than non-violent participants to perceive emotionally ambiguous facial expressions as angry or hostile ## Footnote This study highlighted differences in perception between violent and non-violent individuals.
30
What is minimalisation in the context of criminal behavior?
Downplaying the seriousness of an offence ## Footnote Examples include euphemistic labeling, where offenders justify their actions.
31
What percentage of convicted rapists denied committing an offence according to Barbaree (1991)?
54% denied they had committed an offence at all ## Footnote Additionally, 40% minimized the harm caused to victims.
32
What does Differential Association Theory propose?
Individuals learn criminal behavior through interaction with others ## Footnote This includes learning values, attitudes, techniques, and motives for criminal behavior.
33
Who is Edwin Sutherland and what was his contribution to criminology?
Sutherland proposed that crime is a learned behavior and aimed to establish scientific principles of offending ## Footnote He emphasized the importance of social interactions in the learning process.
34
What are the two parts of Sutherland's Differential Association Theory?
* Learned attitudes towards crime * Learning of specific criminal acts
35
What are the childhood risk factors identified in the Cambridge Study in Delinquent Development?
* Family criminality * Low school attainment * Poverty * Poor parenting
36
According to Freud, what are the three aspects of personality?
* Id * Ego * Superego
37
What does an inadequate superego lead to according to the psychodynamic explanation of criminality?
It leads to feelings of guilt and a lack of moral guidance ## Footnote A weak superego may result from an absent same-sex parent during the phallic stage.
38
What is maternal deprivation according to Bowlby?
Lack of a mother to attach to during infancy leads to criminal behavior, known as affectionless psychopathy ## Footnote Bowlby's 1944 study found that 39% of juvenile delinquents experienced significant attachment disruption.
39
What does recidivism mean?
Re-offending ## Footnote The Ministry of Justice reported that 57% of UK offenders will reoffend within a year of release.
40
What are the four main reasons for custodial sentencing?
* Deterrence * Incapacitation * Retribution * Rehabilitation
41
What is the difference between general deterrence and individual deterrence?
* General deterrence: aims to send a broad message to society * Individual deterrence: aims to prevent the individual from repeating the same offences
42
What psychological effects can custodial sentencing have on offenders?
* Stress and depression * Institutionalization * Prisonization
43
What is the role of vocational training in reducing recidivism?
Vocational training can help offenders secure employment and lower chances of reoffending ## Footnote Ofsted reported that meaningful training in prison leads to better post-release outcomes.
44
What is behavior modification in custody?
An application of the behaviorist approach to treatment based on operant conditioning ## Footnote It replaces undesirable behaviors with desirable behaviors using reinforcement.
45
What are the three stages of anger management according to Raymond Novaco?
* Cognitive preparation * Skill acquisition * Application practice
46
What are the aims of restorative justice?
* Opportunity to explain the impact of the crime * Acknowledgement of harm caused * Acceptance of responsibility * Reintegration and empowerment
47
What are the four types of restorative justice?
* Victim-offender mediation * Peace making * Neighborhood boards * Family group conferencing
48
What is the primary aim of restorative justice?
To help manage conflict between people in schools, workplaces, and hospitals ## Footnote This includes various aspects such as empowerment, restoration, and healing.
49
What are impact statements in the context of restorative justice?
Opportunities for victims to explain the impact of the crime ## Footnote This allows for acknowledgment of harm caused.
50
List the aims of restorative justice.
* Acknowledgement of harm caused * Chance to ask questions * Acceptance of responsibility * Active involvement of both parties * Reintegration * Empowerment * Restoration * Healing
51
What are some issues associated with restorative justice?
* Done with less serious crimes * Too victim oriented * Coercion involved
52
Name the four types of restorative justice.
* Victim offender mediation * Peace making * Neighbourhood boards * Family group conferencing
53
What are the three basic principles inherent in restorative justice?
* Repairing harm * Engendering stakeholder involvement * Transforming role of community & government
54
What is the focus of Victim Offender Mediation (VOM)?
Repairing harm done to the victim and restoring the community ## Footnote This includes reintegrating the offender into society.
55
True or False: Participation in Victim Offender Mediation is voluntary for both the victim and the offender.
False ## Footnote Participation is voluntary for the victim but not for the offender.
56
What is the concept of reiterative shaming in restorative justice?
A process where the current justice system stigmatizes offenders while allowing for reintegrative shaming ## Footnote Shaming expresses disapproval and forgiveness.
57
What does social disorganization refer to in the context of restorative justice?
Communities need to overcome their problems and develop collective efficacy.
58
What did Sherman & Strang conclude in their 2007 meta-analysis regarding restorative justice?
* RJ is not more harmful than traditional justice system * At least equally effective as traditional system * More effective in lowering recidivism rates and PTSD, especially with serious offenses and adult offenders

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