What is Forensic Psychology?

Question 1

What is Forensic Psychology?

Answer 1

The application of psychological knowledge or methods to a task faced by the legal system.

Question 2

List at least 4 roles of Forensic Psychologists

Answer 2

Basic scientist of the law
Policy evaluator
Forensic evaluator
Treatment provider
Correctional Psychologist
Trial Consultant

Question 3

List theories of crime

Answer 3

Societal or macro-level theories
Community or locality theories
Group or social influence theories
Individual or difference theories

Question 4

What are the 5 principles of the 18th century Classical school of thought?

Answer 4

Rationalism
Hedonism
Punishment
Human rights
Due process

Question 5

Psychological theories of crime (Psychodynamic)

Answer 5

Early childhood experiences impact behaviour later - Mary Ainsworth attachment theory

Question 6

Biological theories of crime

Answer 6

Genetic vulnerabilities (twin and adoption studies)
Brain injury (pre-frontal cortex)
Physiological Abnormalities (testosterone)

Question 7

Psychological theories of crime (Cognitive)

Answer 7

Individuals move through stages of moral development in which their thinking about moral problems changes. Criminals are proposed to have a lower level of reasoning

Question 8

Psychological theories of crime (Behavioural)

Answer 8

Children learn about aggressive behaviour from parents - social learning theory

Question 9

Psychological theories of crime (Personality)

Answer 9

Crime is due to personality defects, such as psychopathy, characterised by callousness, lack of empathy, and aggression.

Question 10

Psychological theories of crime (Intelligence)

Answer 10

Low intelligence might indicate poor learning skills and this was once linked with criminal behaviour. (No support for this theory)

Question 11

Sociological theories of crime (General strain theory)

Answer 11

strain refers to a relationship in which others are not treating the individual as he/she would like to be treated.
Categories of strain:
- failure to achieve positively valued goals
- removal of positively valued stimuli
- presentation of negatively valued stimuli

Question 12

Sociological theories of crime (subcultural theory)

Answer 12

Conflict between norms held by different groups causes criminal behaviour.
Gangs enforce behavioural norms about how to behave, which is as odds with larger society