Midterm

Question 1

What are the three approaches to the relationship between psychology and law?

Answer 1

• Psychology in the law
• Psychology and the law
• Psychology of the law

These approaches highlight different aspects of how psychology interacts with legal processes.

Question 2

What is the primary focus of ‘Psychology in the Law’?

Answer 2

Utilizing psychologists’ knowledge and experience to help resolve cases

This includes the involvement of counseling, clinical, or forensic psychologists.

Question 3

How do psychologists contribute in ‘Psychology and the Law’?

Answer 3

Analyzing law components and court processes from a psychological perspective

Psychologists conduct research on issues faced by the legal system.

Question 4

What is the main concern of ‘Psychology of the Law’?

Answer 4

Understanding how law seeks to control behavior and how individuals react to it

This involves examining the interaction between law and human behavior.

Question 5

What is the Method of Tenacity?

Answer 5

Holding firmly to beliefs because they are perceived as true

This method reflects a strong adherence to personal beliefs without questioning.

Question 6

Define the Method of Authority.

Answer 6

Believing something because authoritative figures assert it

This method relies on trust in experts or institutions.

Question 7

What does the A Priori Method entail?

Answer 7

Believing evidence is correct due to logical deduction

This method is often used in legal reasoning.

Question 8

What characterizes the Method of Science?

Answer 8

Testing statements through observations and systematic research

This method is critical for validating claims in a legal context.

Question 9

What is required for expert testimony to be admitted in court?

Answer 9

Proper credentials and sound knowledge of the expert

The judge assesses the qualifications of the expert witness.

Question 10

What is the Frye Standard?

Answer 10

General acceptance of scientific knowledge as a criterion for expert testimony

This standard was widely used in the 20th century in federal and state courts.

Question 11

What does the Daubert Standard require?

Answer 11

• Relevancy
• Legal sufficiency
• Reliability

This standard emphasizes the need for scientific evidence to be relevant, legally sufficient, and reliable.

Question 12

What are the primary functions of the Federal Courts?

Answer 12

• Enforcing laws fairly
• Interpreting the law

These functions are essential for maintaining justice in the legal system.

Question 13

Differentiate between criminal and civil cases.

Answer 13

• Criminal Cases: Accused appear for trial, judge/jury decides guilt
• Civil Cases: Settling disputes between parties, court applies law to facts

Each type of case has distinct processes and outcomes.

Question 14

What roles do psychologists play in the judicial process during the pretrial phase?

Answer 14

• Evaluate criminal defendants
• Provide evidence in depositions
• Testify in pretrial hearings
• Assess risk of dangerousness
• Consult with lawyers
• Restore incompetent defendants
• Assess juveniles

Psychologists contribute significantly to various aspects of the pretrial process.

Question 15

What is the role of a Basic Scientist of the Law?

Answer 15

Pursues knowledge for the sake of knowledge without application focus

This role is more about understanding rather than solving real-world problems.

Question 16

Define the role of an Applied Scientist of the Law.

Answer 16

Generates and applies knowledge to solve real-life problems

This role often involves serving as an expert witness.

Question 17

What is the purpose of a Policy Evaluator in the Law?

Answer 17

Assess and innovate existing programs and policies

This role is crucial for ensuring effectiveness in legal practices.

Question 18

What is the primary function of a Forensic Evaluator in Litigation?

Answer 18

Evaluate individuals in civil and criminal cases regarding competence and mental state

This includes assessing risk and rehabilitation prospects.

Question 19

What does the memory system consist of?

Answer 19

• Encoding
• Storage
• Retrieval

These processes are essential for retaining and recalling information.

Question 20

What is Encoding Specificity?

Answer 20

Conditions present during encoding facilitate later memory retrieval

The effectiveness of cues depends on their match with the initial encoding.

Question 21

What is Context-Dependent Memory?

Answer 21

Memory retrieval is improved when in the same environment as learning

This principle highlights the importance of context in memory.

Question 22

Fill in the blank: Short term memory (STM) holds information for about _______.

Answer 22

15-30 seconds

STM is temporary and limited in capacity.

Question 23

What are the two types of reasoning in law?

Answer 23

• Deductive Reasoning
• Inductive Reasoning

These reasoning types guide legal decision-making processes.

Question 24

Describe System 1 and System 2 in reasoning.

Answer 24

• System 1: Fast, relies on heuristics, requires little energy
• System 2: Slow, analytical, engages in detailed processing

Understanding these systems helps in analyzing decision-making processes.

Question 25

What is Confirmation Bias?

Answer 25

The tendency to seek evidence that supports existing beliefs ## Footnote This bias can significantly impact legal judgments.

Question 26

What is the Reid Technique in interrogations?

Answer 26

A three-step process involving fact analysis, behavioral analysis interview, and accusatorial interrogation ## Footnote This technique is designed to elicit confessions.

Question 27

What is a Self-Fulfilling Prophecy?

Answer 27

Expectations causing actions that make those expectations come true ## Footnote This phenomenon can influence behavior and outcomes in legal contexts.

Question 28

What is the Mock-Crime Paradigm?

Answer 28

Participants are assigned to commit a mock crime or innocent behavior before being interrogated ## Footnote This method helps establish ground truth in studies of interrogation.

Question 29

What are Cognitive Biases?

Answer 29

Systematic errors in thinking due to subjective perceptions ## Footnote These biases can affect decision-making and judgment in legal contexts.

Question 30

What is the difference between Bayesian and Coherence-Based Reasoning?

Answer 30

* Bayesian: Each piece of evidence is assessed separately * Coherence-Based: Evidence reshaped to fit a consistent narrative ## Footnote These reasoning approaches have different implications for how decisions are made.

Question 31

What are the primary factors influencing obedience?

Answer 31

* Location * Participant Gender * Distance between teacher and learner ## Footnote These factors can significantly affect an individual's likelihood to obey authority figures.

Question 32

What is the purpose of coercive interrogation tactics?

Answer 32

Designed to obtain self-incriminating statements from suspects ## Footnote Coercive tactics can include psychological pressure and manipulation.

Question 33

What are Miranda Rights?

Answer 33

A set of constitutional warnings that law enforcement officers in the U.S. must give to a suspect before conducting a custodial interrogation ## Footnote Protects Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination and Sixth Amendment right to legal counsel.

Question 34

Define the term 'Phenomenology of Innocence'.

Answer 34

Innocent suspects believe their innocence is sufficient to protect them from negative outcomes ## Footnote This belief can lead innocent suspects to waive their rights and be more forthcoming.

Question 35

What is 'short-sighted thinking' in the context of interrogation?

Answer 35

Suspects tend to make short-sighted confession decisions favoring short-term gains over long-term interests ## Footnote This is often influenced by the pressures of interrogation.

Question 36

What does self-regulation refer to?

Answer 36

The process by which people resist, override, or inhibit behaviors, thoughts, and emotions that interfere with long-term goals ## Footnote Depleted self-regulation resources can lead to increased impulsivity and decision fatigue.

Question 37

What is the Five-factor model of confessions?

Answer 37

A confession decision is determined by social, emotional, cognitive, situational, and physiological antecedents and consequences ## Footnote Developed by Gudjonsson in 1989.

Question 38

Fill in the blank: The interrogation decision-making model uses the framework of _______.

Answer 38

[subjective expected utility theory] ## Footnote This theory helps explain how various factors sway suspects' decisions.

Question 39

What is the role of the 'interrogation-related acute situational suggestibility model'?

Answer 39

It predicts that a suspect’s ability to resist interrogation pressures diminishes over the course of questioning ## Footnote This model highlights the impact of interrogation pressures on self-incrimination.

Question 40

What are perceived cues to deception?

Answer 40

* Avoid eye contact * Nervous touching/shifting * Speak quickly ## Footnote These cues are often mistakenly interpreted as indicators of lying.

Question 41

What is 'strategic use of evidence (SUE)' technique?

Answer 41

Goal: elicit cues of deception by strategically disclosing evidence ## Footnote This technique is used to prompt suspects to reveal inconsistencies or lies.

Question 42

True or False: Lying is less cognitively taxing than telling the truth.

Answer 42

False ## Footnote Liars often exhibit more behavioral cues to deception due to the cognitive load of maintaining a lie.

Question 43

What is the 'Implicit Association Test (IAT)' used for?

Answer 43

To measure attitudes indirectly by categorizing words according to certain rules as fast as possible ## Footnote Faster pairing indicates a stronger association between concepts.

Question 44

What does the autobiographical Implicit Association Test (aIAT) aim to determine?

Answer 44

Whether the IAT could be applied to lie detection ## Footnote Studies have shown high accuracy in distinguishing between guilty and innocent conditions.

Question 45

What is the Tipping Framework of Lie Detection?

Answer 45

Lie detection is revealed in implicit, nonconscious patterns ## Footnote This framework suggests that implicit knowledge can influence conscious judgments of veracity.

Question 46

What are some interrogation reforms suggested?

Answer 46

* Training * Time Limits * Videotaping * Safeguards for vulnerable populations * Probable cause ## Footnote These reforms aim to improve the interrogation process and protect suspects' rights.