Deck 19: Forensic Psychology

Question 1

Hugo Munsterberg

A) wrote On the Witness Stand.
B) demonstrated how psychological science could be applied in the legal arena.
C) presented testimony in a case that created the first standard for expert testimony.
D) all of the above

Answer 1

all of the above

Question 2

_____ was the first legal standard for the insanity defense in the history of the American legal system.

A) The M'Naghten test
B) Voir dire
C) The Munsterberg criteria
D) The Daubet standards

Answer 2

The M'Naghten test

Question 3

In forensic psychology,a method of predicting dangerousness that involves a statistical prediction based on objective variables,with little to no subjective data,is the _____ method.

A) clinical prediction
B) historical prediction
C) actuarial prediction
D) individual prediction

Answer 3

actuarial prediction

Question 4

Hugo Munsterberg is most closely associated with the field of _____.

A) health psychology
B) pediatric psychology
C) forensic psychology
D) humanistic psychotherapy

Question 5

______ psychologists are involved in forensic psychology.

A) Clinical
B) Cognitive
C) Social
D) all of the above

Question 6

The prediction of dangerousness is particularly difficult because it happens so infrequently.This phenomenon is known as _____.

A) the Daubert standard
B) the base rate problem
C) voir dire
D) none of the above

Question 7

According to experts in forensic psychology,_____ tests tend to be endorsed most strongly for use in forensic evaluations.

A) objective personality tests
B) intelligence tests with proven reliability and validity
C) all of the above
D) none of the above

Question 8

The relationship between forensic psychologists and their patients is often described as _____.

A) collaborative
B) adversarial
C) cooperative
D) advanced

Question 9

A clinical psychologist conducting an "NGRI" evaluation is most interested in determining

A) the mental status of the defendant at the time the crime was committed.
B) the likelihood that the defendant will behave dangerously in the future.
C) the current mental status of the defendant.
D) the fitness of the defendant to stand trial.

Question 10

In 13 states,a defendant can be found _____,a provision intended to provide a middle ground for jurors contemplating whether to assign criminal responsibility (and punishment)to defendants whose mental status is in question.

A) guilty but mentally ill
B) not guilty by reason of insanity
C) pseudo-guilty
D) unknowably guilty

Question 11

Forensic psychology training opportunities include

A) elective forensic courses in doctoral programs.
B) specialized forensic tracks in doctoral programs.
C) joint degree programs in law (JD) and psychology (PhD).
D) all of the above

Question 12

Clinical psychologists conducting assessments in forensic settings may be asked to

A) predict the dangerousness of a defendant or criminal.
B) determine the mental status of a defendant pleading not guilty by reason of insanity.
C) all of the above
D) none of the above

Question 13

The not guilty by reason of insanity (NGRI)defense

A) is used frequently.
B) is often successful.
C) results in the defendant being released without being institutionalized.
D) none of the above

Question 14

Forensic psychology is the application of psychological methods and principles

A) within the legal system.
B) to issues related to physical health.
C) in an inpatient setting.
D) in an outpatient setting.

Question 15

According to Sageman (2003),forensic psychologists should possess specialized assessment skills,including

A) skill related to litigation.
B) neuropsychological acumen.
C) projective assessment mastery.
D) all of the above

Question 16

Currently,legal standards for NGRI vary from state to state,but they all require that _____ is present and operating at the time of the offense.

A) schizophrenia
B) a mental disease or defect
C) mental retardation
D) intoxication by alcohol or other substance

Question 17

When conducting a forensic evaluation,

A) psychologists should make clear the limits of confidentiality.
B) test data and results may become public, such as in the case of Mike Tyson.
C) all of the above
D) none of the above

Question 18

According to experts in forensic psychology,_____ tests tend to be considered unacceptable for assessments of defendants or criminals.

A) Wechsler intelligence
B) projective personality
C) all of the above
D) none of the above

Question 19

In child custody evaluations,the role of the _____ is to make sure that the rights of the child are protected.

A) forensic psychologist
B) guardian ad litem
C) voir dire
D) none of the above

Question 20

Regarding the prediction of dangerousness,it is generally true that

A) individuals with more extensive arrest records are more likely to be dangerous than individuals with less extensive arrest records.
B) individuals with more social support are more likely to be dangerous than individuals with less social support.
C) all of the above
D) none of the above

Question 21

What is the current standard for the admissibility of expert testimony as evidence in the U.S.?

Question 22

The process by which an expert witness is approved for the court

A) does not apply to clinical psychologists because they are exempt.
B) is called voir dire.
C) all of the above
D) none of the above

Question 23

The application of psychological methods and principles within the legal system is known as _____.

Question 24

What is the name of the process through which an expert witness is approved for the court?

Question 25

The process whereby a person is involuntarily hospitalized because it is determined that his or her behavior is likely to represent a threat to his or her own welfare or the welfare of others is known as _____.

A) civil commitment
B) functional evaluation
C) actuarial prediction
D) guardian ad litem

Question 26

The legal case Dusky v.United States (1960)set the standard used throughout most of the U.S.regarding _____.

A) competency to stand trial
B) NGRI evaluations
C) the prediction of dangerousness
D) all of the above

Question 27

According to the Daubert standards,

A) individuals can be involuntarily hospitalized if they represent a threat to themselves, but not if they represent a threat to others.
B) testimony from an expert witness such as a clinical psychologist is admissible in court if it is generally accepted in the field, even if it is not reliable or valid.
C) testimony from an expert witness such as a clinical psychologist is admissible in court if it is reliable and valid, even if it is not generally accepted in the field.
D) the mental status of a defendant at the time of the trial is a more important factor than the mental status of a defendant at the time of the crime in NGRI evaluations.

Question 28

More than 90% of child custody evaluators use _____ during a typical evaluation.

A) clinical interviews with each parent
B) clinical interviews with the children
C) psychological testing of the parents
D) all of the above

Question 29

What are at least two ways in which forensic psychologists must be sensitive to their patients' varying abilities,knowledge,and beliefs stemming from diverse cultural backgrounds? Describe each.

Question 30

Clinical psychologists who consult with law enforcement agencies conduct _____.

A) fitness-for-duty evaluations
B) pre-employment evaluations
C) psychotherapy
D) all of the above

Question 31

Currently,between _____% and _____% of all felony defendants undergo evaluations to determine if they are competent to stand trial.

A) 2; 8
B) 19; 22
C) 45; 50
D) 73; 81

Question 32

The prediction of dangerousness is particularly difficult because it happens so infrequently,a phenomenon known as the _____ problem.

Question 33

Fitness-for-duty evaluations are most typically conducted by clinical psychologists

A) on applicants to the police force who are seriously being considered for employment.
B) on current police officers who have experienced a traumatic incident or who are struggling with a psychological disorder.
C) on current police officers who are being considered for promotion to a higher rank.
D) on current police officers whose weight has significantly increased in recent months.

Question 34

Surveys of psychologists who conduct child custody evaluations (e.g.,Bow,2006)suggest that

A) psychological tests are rarely used.
B) interviews with parents and children are considered less important than psychological tests.
C) all of the above
D) none of the above

Question 35

When working with criminal offenders,clinical psychologists typically focus on

A) crisis management and maintenance.
B) outpatient psychotherapy and targeted programs.
C) all of the above
D) none of the above

Question 36

What case established the competency-to-stand-trial standard that is used throughout most of the U.S.?

Question 37

Forensic psychologists may conduct _____ evaluations with police personnel following an extremely stressful experience by an officer,such as being shot.

Question 38

What is the name of statistical prediction methods that are used to predict dangerous?

Question 39

When serving as expert witnesses,clinical psychologists should

A) provide information that will support the case of the party that hired him or her.
B) accurately provide information based on available data, whether or not that information supports the case of the party that hired him or her.
C) refuse to participate in the voir dire process.
D) disregard the standards set forth in the APA ethical code.

Question 40

Who wrote On the Witness Stand and presented testimony in a case that established the first standard for expert testimony?

Question 41

Generally,how do the goals of clinical psychologists in forensic settings tend to differ from the goals of clinical psychologists in more traditional (e.g.,therapy,assessment)settings?

Question 42

How do clinical prediction methods of predicting dangerousness differ from actuarial prediction methods of predicting dangerousness?

Question 43

What is the difference between the Frye standards and the Daubert standards regarding the admissibility of expert testimony?

Question 44

What is the M'Naughten test? What are its historical origins,and why is it important?