Forensic psychology definition
A field of psychology that deals with all aspects of human behaviour as it relates to the law or legal system
- notably, forensic psychology excuses civil cases, and focuses just on criminal cases
The Narrow approach to for. Psy.
Focuses only on the applied/ clinical part of forensic psychology. Used in the US, where strict criteria are required to become a forensic psychologist
The Broad approach to for. Psy.
Applied, clinical, and research. Used in Canada, where criteria of criminal psychologist are much more loose
In Canada, what is the main goal of For. psych?
Development of treatment for criminals
Role of Forensic Psychologist as a Clinician
- Assessment of mental health issues as they pertain to the law or legal system
- Example: police officer screening, rehabilitation evaluation
- must be licensed
Role of Forensic Psychologist as a researcher
- While also working on mental health issues, the also examine issues relating to the legal system
- Example: tests to predict risk of crime, analysis of questioning styles
- minimum: masters degree
Role of Forensic Psychologist as a Legal scholar
Engage in the analysis of the mental health of law
- very rare, they often consult other forensic psychologists
What is the difference between a Forensic Psychiatrist and Forensic Psychologist?
Psychiatrists have a medical degree, so they can prescribe medication. Tend to rely on medical model of psychology
The psychologist will incorporate wider view of mental health when assessing criminal behaviour
Define psychology AND the law
a. Analyzes the legal system from a psychological perspective and criticizes flaws
b. Eg. Assumptions of the law, eyewitness accuracy, partiality of judges, etc.
c. Goal: to improve and change the legal system
Define psychology IN the legal system
a. Applying principles of psychology to certain jobs in the legal system
b. Eg. A police officer using psychological techniques to interrogate a suspect
Define psychology OF the legal system
a. Use of psychology to examine the law itself
b. Eg. Look at whether certain laws actually reduce crime
c. Goal is to improve in the future
What are the three levels of courts in Canada?
- Trial courts
- Appeal court
- Supreme court
Explain psychodynamic theories of crime
- Freudian theories involving the Id, Ego, and Superego are employed to explain crime
- Bowlby’s Theory of Maternal Deprivation
- Hirschi’s Social Control Theory (Social Bond Theory)
Briefly describe the three types of superegos
- Harsh superego
- feelings of guilt abut everything, crime committed to get punishment that will relieve the guilt - Weak superego
- superego fails to regulate the Id, leads to guiltless, unfeeling criminals - Deviant superego
- parental models were bad examples, shaping the child’s morality badly
Define Bowlby’s theory of Maternal Deprivation
a. Any disruption of the child-mother relationship during early childhood
b. May result in irreversible long term effects, especially on ability to create meaningful prosocial relationships
What are the four types of bonds defined by Hirschi’s Social Control Theory?
- attachment
- relationships keep people from crime - commitment
- having a job, going to school - involvement
- time spent in activities benefiting society - belief
- conviction about obeying the law
According to Hirschi’s Social Control Theory, why are the four types of bonds important?
If one or more of them is broken by an individual, they are more likely to commit crime
Define classical learning theory
Pairing of two different stimuli can produce unrelated effect to one stimuli
Define Operant conditioning
Behaviour is controlled by consequences: positive and negative reinforcement
Define vicarious learning
Learning from observing peers
Briefly describe Eyesenk’s Biosocial Theory of Crime
- Three dimensions to personality: Extraversion, neuroticism, psychoticism
- Essentially, people with high levels of neuroticism and extraversion are most likely to exhibit criminal behaviour, because they are under stimulated and unable to learn from actions
Define Kernberg’s Theory of Borderline Personality Organization
Personality is organized along a continuum from psychotic, to borderline, to neurotic
Define a psychotic person
absence of reality testing (out of touch) and use of primitive defense mechanisms
Result: when they commit crime, they are deemed “unfit”
Define a borderline person
They have some capacity for being in touch with reality, but still use primitive defense mechanisms and it’s easy for them to get caught for their crimes
