forensics 2

Question 1

What are the key models of classification in mental health?

Answer 1

DSM, ICD, dimensional frameworks (RDoC, HiTOP).

Question 2

How does law view ‘mental illness’?

Answer 2

‘Mental illness’ has no technical meaning; depends on court/jury decisions.

Question 3

What is the psychiatric view of mental illness?

Answer 3

Reductionist, diagnosis-focused; mental illness = present/absent → diagnosis + treatment.

Question 4

What is the psychological perspective on mental illness?

Answer 4

Considers a continuum (normal ↔ abnormal), focusing on normality, assessment, interventions.

Question 5

True or False: Media often accurately represents the link between mental illness and crime.

Answer 5

False.

Question 6

What percentage of prisoners have a mental health disorder?

Answer 6

Over 90%.

Question 7

What small percentage of crimes are directly linked to mental disorders?

Answer 7

Only a small % of crimes, with specific percentages for psychosis (4%), depression (3%), and bipolar (10%).

Question 8

What are some stronger predictors of crime than psychiatric symptoms?

Answer 8

Substance misuse, social factors.

Question 9

What is a mental disorder?

Answer 9

Cluster of abnormal thoughts, emotions, behaviours.

Question 10

What are the four tendencies of mental disorders?

Answer 10

• Statistically infrequent
• Violate social norms
• Cause distress - maladaptive
• Cause impairment (socially, life, job)

Question 11

What is the purpose of classifying disorders?

Answer 11

Grouping disorders by shared attributes.

Question 12

What are the pros of classifying mental disorders?

Answer 12

• Common vocabulary
• Guides treatment/prognosis
• Needed for insurance & interventions

Question 13

What are the cons of classifying mental disorders?

Answer 13

• Validity issues
• Heterogeneity
• High comorbidity
• Can impair people without diagnosis

Question 14

What does DSM-5 define as a mental disorder?

Answer 14

Clinically significant disturbance in cognition, emotion regulation, or behaviour reflecting dysfunction.

Question 15

What is the purpose of ICD-11?

Answer 15

Systematic recording, analysis, interpretation, and comparison of mortality and morbidity data.

Question 16

What are the limitations of ICD-11?

Answer 16

• Considers all mental disorders categories
• Limited reliability
• High co-occurrence/comorbidity

Question 17

What does RDoC focus on?

Answer 17

Research framework focusing on continua, not categories.

Question 18

What is HiTOP?

Answer 18

Hierarchical taxonomy of psychopathology.

Question 19

What are some examples of disruptive behaviour disorders?

Answer 19

• Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)
• Callous-Unemotional (CU) traits
• Conduct Disorder

Question 20

What neurodevelopmental conditions are mentioned?

Answer 20

• ADHD
• Autism
• Communication disorders
• Learning difficulties
• Intellectual disability
• Motor disorders

Question 21

True or False: Many adult disorders start in childhood.

Answer 21

True.

Question 22

What characterizes personality disorders?

Answer 22

Difficulties of degree rather than kind, inflexible traits causing impairment or distress.

Question 23

What are the three clusters of personality disorders?

Answer 23

• Cluster A: Odd/eccentric
• Cluster B: Dramatic/erratic
• Cluster C: Anxious/fearful

Question 24

What is a defining trait of Paranoid Personality Disorder?

Answer 24

Suspiciousness in almost all situations with almost all people.

Question 25

What is a key feature of Borderline Personality Disorder?

Answer 25

Poor self-identity and erratic mood.

Question 26

What is the prevalence of psychopathy in the general population?

Answer 26

1%.

Question 27

What did Cleckley describe in relation to psychopathy?

Answer 27

The 'mask of sanity' characterized by charm and intelligence but irresponsibility.

Question 28

What is the fearlessness hypothesis related to psychopathy?

Answer 28

Poor fear conditioning and low anxiety lead to crime.

Question 29

What is the gender ratio for psychopathy prevalence?

Answer 29

1 female for every 10 males.

Question 30

What are the two types of externalising psychopathology?

Answer 30

* Antagonistic externalising: conflict, hostility, callousness * Disinhibited externalising: impulsivity, lack of control

Question 31

What are Moffitt's two types of antisocial behaviour?

Answer 31

* Life-Course Persistent (LCP) * Adolescence-Limited (AL)

Question 32

True or False: Mental illness is an automatic risk for crime.

Answer 32

False.

Question 33

What are the key takeaways regarding mental illness and crime?

Answer 33

* Mental illness ≠ automatic crime risk * Classification debates: categorical vs dimensional models.

Question 34

What does mental illness imply regarding crime risk?

Answer 34

Mental illness ≠ automatic crime risk; relationship is complex and mediated. ## Footnote This indicates that not all individuals with mental illness are predisposed to criminal behavior, and other factors play a significant role.

Question 35

What are the two models debated in classification?

Answer 35

Categorical vs dimensional models. ## Footnote These models represent different approaches to understanding and diagnosing psychological disorders.

Question 36

Which disorders show the strongest links to serious offending?

Answer 36

Personality disorders & psychopathy. ## Footnote These conditions are often associated with more severe and persistent criminal behavior.

Question 37

What developmental approach helps explain different offender pathways?

Answer 37

Moffitt's developmental approaches. ## Footnote Moffitt's theory categorizes offenders based on their developmental history and patterns of antisocial behavior.

Question 38

What might account for the differences in self-reports vs. convictions?

Answer 38

Differences in self-reports vs. convictions may be influenced by various psychological and social factors. ## Footnote This could include factors like stigma, self-perception, or external pressures.

Question 39

What accounts for the high rates of offenses in 'adolescence-limited' participants at age 26?

Answer 39

High rates of offenses in 'adolescence-limited' participants may be due to environmental influences and peer relationships. ## Footnote This suggests that social context plays a critical role in the continuation of offending behavior.

Question 40

What is a significant area of concern regarding other forms of antisocial behavior?

Answer 40

Digital crime. ## Footnote This refers to crimes that are committed using digital technologies, which may differ in motivations and consequences from traditional crimes.

Question 41

What are the clinical implications of this work?

Answer 41

Clinical implications include the need for tailored interventions based on individual risk factors and psychological profiles. ## Footnote Understanding the complexities of mental illness and crime can lead to more effective treatment strategies.

Question 42

What are the justice or policy implications of this work?

Answer 42

Justice or policy implications involve re-evaluating criminal justice approaches to mental illness and serious offending. ## Footnote This could lead to reforms in how offenders with mental health issues are treated within the legal system.