Chat with AIExam 2: Roles and Responsibilities of Forensic Psychologists
Which of the following was NOT one of the themes found by those who reviewed Margaret Hagen's book,Whores of the Court?
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In Canada,amicus curiae are not often used.How do psychologists inform the court with information that is relevant to the case? Give an example.
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Answered by Examlex AI CopilotIn Canada, psychologists can inform the court with relevant information to a case through expert witness testimony. Expert witnesses are individuals with specialized knowledge and experience in a particular field, such as psychology, who can provide the court with their professional opinion on the matter at hand.
For example, in a criminal case involving a defendant with a history of mental illness, a forensic psychologist may be called upon to provide expert witness testimony regarding the defendant's mental state at the time of the alleged crime. The psychologist can offer insights into the defendant's mental health, potential factors contributing to their behavior, and the impact of their mental illness on their ability to understand the consequences of their actions. This information can be crucial in helping the court make informed decisions about the case.
While amicus curiae briefs may not be commonly used in Canada, expert witness testimony from psychologists and other professionals can still play a significant role in providing the court with relevant information and insights to help inform their decisions.
What are some topics for which psychologists have served as expert witnesses?
(44) Answered by Examlex AI CopilotPsychologists often serve as expert witnesses in various legal contexts, providing their expertise on matters related to human behavior, mental health, and cognitive processes. Some of the topics for which psychologists may be called upon to provide expert testimony include:
1. **Competency and Sanity Evaluations**: Psychologists may assess an individual's mental state to determine if they are competent to stand trial or were sane at the time of committing an alleged crime.
2. **Child Custody and Family Law**: In cases of divorce or child custody disputes, psychologists might evaluate parents and children to provide recommendations regarding custody arrangements, visitation, and the best interests of the child.
3. **Personal Injury and Emotional Distress**: After accidents or traumatic events, psychologists can assess the psychological impact on individuals, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and the long-term effects of emotional distress.
4. **Criminal Profiling and Risk Assessment**: In criminal cases, psychologists might be asked to create profiles of offenders or assess the risk of reoffending, particularly in cases involving sexual offenses or violent crimes.
5. **Workplace Discrimination and Harassment**: Psychologists can offer insights into the psychological effects of discrimination and harassment in the workplace, as well as the dynamics that contribute to such environments.
6. **Eyewitness Testimony and Memory**: Expert testimony from psychologists can address the reliability of eyewitness accounts, factors that influence memory recall, and the potential for false memories.
7. **Mental Health Law**: Psychologists may provide expertise on issues related to involuntary commitment, the right to refuse treatment, and the mental health needs of individuals within the criminal justice system.
8. **Addiction and Substance Abuse**: In cases involving substance abuse, psychologists can discuss the nature of addiction, its effects on behavior and decision-making, and the prospects for recovery.
9. **Juvenile Justice**: When dealing with juvenile offenders, psychologists may evaluate developmental factors, family dynamics, and the potential for rehabilitation.
10. **Mitigating Factors in Sentencing**: In sentencing phases of criminal trials, psychologists might present evidence about a defendant's mental health, history of abuse, or other factors that could be considered mitigating circumstances.
11. **Disability and Competence**: Psychologists can assess individuals for various disabilities, including intellectual disabilities or mental illnesses, and how these might affect their ability to function in different settings, such as work or education.
12. **Educational Assessments and Special Needs**: In cases involving education law, psychologists may evaluate children for learning disabilities, developmental delays, or other special needs to determine appropriate educational accommodations.
13. **False Confessions**: Psychologists can provide insights into the psychological techniques used during interrogations that may lead to false confessions and the vulnerabilities of certain populations (e.g., minors, intellectually disabled individuals) to these techniques.
14. **Violence Risk and Threat Assessment**: In situations where there is a concern about potential violence, such as in schools or workplaces, psychologists can assess the risk and suggest interventions to mitigate threats.
By providing expert testimony on these and other topics, psychologists help courts and juries understand complex psychological concepts and make more informed decisions based on scientific evidence and professional practice.
Under what circumstances would it be ethical for a psychologist to breach confidentiality?
(41) In Canada,trial consultants tend to work alone (e.g. ,not as part of a large firm)and use very little advertising.
(27) According to Konecni and Ebbesen (1986),in California,how often is a person wrongfully convicted because of mistaken testimony?
(40) In Canada,how can offenders who are likely to reoffend violently or inflict severe psychological violence on another individual be classified?
(48) In cases where social scientists sympathize with the defendant,what is often the LEAST likely reason?
(36) Diagnosing a defendant with a disorder when there is no proof for the validity of the diagnostic construct is an example of which of the following?
(42) Contrast the American standards for admissibility of expert testimony to the Canadian standards.
(39) Describe and evaluate the findings and conclusions of the doll study by Kenneth Clark and Mamie Clark.
(41) What role or roles did psychologists and other social scientists play in the Brown v.Board of Education decision? Were they effective?
(36) One risk in expert testimony is that a psychologist's recommendations may be affected by his or her values,and go beyond empirically based findings.
(30) According to Hafemeister and Melton (1987),when secondary social-science sources were cited in cases,where were they most often originally published?
(35) What has been the reaction of judges to permitting psychologists to testify about the accuracy of eyewitness identification?
(30) The case of R.v.Samra described in your textbook is an example of a psychologist acting as a hired gun.Which kind of temptation in forensic psychology does this case represent?
(39) Amicus curiae briefs seek to inform judges on matters relevant to the dispute.
(38) How consistent should results be,or how sure should a psychologist be,of the reliability of his or her findings,before the psychologist offers a conclusion to the legal system based on the findings? What standards of proof might be applied?
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