Deck 16: Forensic Psychology

Question 1

Nadia is a clinical psychologist in training. She wants to focus on the confluence of psychology and legal issues. She is most likely trying to become a:

A) Humanistic psychologist.
B) Jurisprudence psychologist.
C) Systems psychologist.
D) Forensic psychologist.

Answer 1

D

Question 2

Forensic psychology emerged in the:

A) 1950s.
B) 1960s.
C) 1970s.
D) 1980s.

Answer 2

C

Question 3

Alondra is learning about the credentials and training necessary to work in a specific area. She is becoming familiar with:

A) Specialist guidelines.
B) Practice standards.
C) Proficiency practicums.
D) Credential training.

Answer 3

A

Question 4

Marcel is learning about the specific guidelines for tasks and practice areas. He is becoming familiar with:

A) Specialist guidelines.
B) Practice standards.
C) Proficiency practicums.
D) Credential training.

Question 5

Examining evidence from a crime scene, interviewing witnesses and/or victims, and then constructing a description of the perpetrator is known as:

A) A guilty knowledge test.
B) Practice standards.
C) Crime reconstruction technology.
D) Criminal profiling.

Question 6

Psychopathy is common in the prison population, between _____% of the population as opposed to about 1% in the general population.

A) 5%-15%
B) 15%-25%
C) 25%-35%
D) 35%-45%

Question 7

Psychologists that work in prisons deal with:

A) Humanistic psychology.
B) Jurisprudence psychology.
C) Systems psychology.
D) Correctional psychology.

Question 8

One of the major differences between a traditional clinical practice and a forensic practice is that:

A) The goal of a clinical psychologist is to help the patient and the goal of a forensic psychologist is to help the court.
B) Clinical psychologists only see patients a few times but forensic psychologists see patients over a long period of time.
C) Clinical psychologists try to appear neutral while forensic psychologists try to appear empathetic.
D) Clinical psychologists tend to use more intuition while forensic use more research.

Question 9

Zain has been arrested for a crime and is being evaluated to determine if he is presenting a negative picture of his functioning to avoid prosecution. He is being assessed for:

A) Somatic complaints.
B) Malingering.
C) Maligning.
D) Indolent complaints.

Question 10

Which 20-item scale that is administered as an interview and assesses the behavioral, affective, and interpersonal characteristics of the pathological personality style, as also includes a review of written records and documents?

A) MMPI-2
B) MCMI-III
C) Hare Psychopathology checklist
D) MacArthur competence assessment tool

Question 11

The primary goal of treatment for perpetrators of criminal activity is to:

A) Feel better about themselves.
B) Recognize the influence of bad mothers.
C) Reduce recidivism.
D) Treat the cognitive triad.

Question 12

In terms of ecological validity, does the treatment of psychopathy actually decrease criminal behavior?

A) Some research shows that it may increase criminal behavior.
B) Some research shows it decreases criminal behavior.
C) Some research shows that it has no effect.
D) It is difficult to tell because budget cuts have eliminated most treatment for people in jail.

Question 13

Polygraphs are used to detect:

A) Lies.
B) People with multiple wives.
C) People attracted to both sexes.
D) Malingering.

Question 14

Leilani is taking a polygraph because she is suspected of stealing money from her job as a bank teller. The examiner asks her, "What day of the week is it?" This is an example of a(n):

A) Neutral control question.
B) High affect control question.
C) Investigative question.
D) Control question technique.

Question 15

Leilani is taking a polygraph because she is suspected of stealing money from her job as a bank teller. The examiner asks her, "Have you ever stolen anything in your life?" This is an example of a(n):

A) Neutral control question.
B) High affect control question.
C) Investigative question.
D) Control question technique.

Question 16

Leilani is taking a polygraph because she is suspected of stealing money from her job as a bank teller. The examiner asks her, "Did you steal the money from the bank?" This is an example of a(n):

A) Neutral control question.
B) High affect control question.
C) Investigative question.
D) Control question technique.

Question 17

Leilani is taking a polygraph because she is suspected of stealing money from her job as a bank teller. The examiner compares her responses to determine if she is lying. This is an example of a(n):

A) Neutral control method.
B) High affect comparison technique.
C) Investigative question method.
D) Control question technique.

Question 18

In research looking at college students in a highly controlled experiment, polygraph accuracy is close to:

A) 60%.
B) 70%.
C) 80%.
D) 90%.

Question 19

In research looking at real-world settings where someone is actually suspected of a crime, polygraph accuracy is close to:

A) 60%.
B) 70%.
C) 80%.
D) 90%.

Question 20

In research looking at real world settings where someone is actually suspected of a crime, if the same examiner gives the test and interprets the data, polygraph accuracy is close to.

A) 60%.
B) 70%.
C) 80%.
D) 90%.

Question 21

The text lists seven assumptions and tasks that are different for forensic psychology practices than for traditional clinical practices. List and describe at least five here.

Question 22

Briefly discuss the difference between clinical and forensic psychologists in terms of assessment.

Question 23

Briefly describe how treatment goals for the perpetrators of crime differ from the standard treatment goals of a traditional clinical psychologist's patient.

Question 24

Briefly describe the goals of psychological first aid (the book lists eight). What does research show in regards to trauma and treatment?

Question 25

Briefly discuss the reliability and validity of the polygraph. Do you think it should ever be used in court? Why or why not?