Deck 19: Forensic Psychology

Question 1

The famous Hinckley case (regarding the attempted assassination of Ronald Reagan)resulted in

A) more states placing the burden of proving the defendant's insanity on the defense, rather than requiring the prosecution to prove the defendant's sanity.
B) the removal of the verdict "Guilty but Mentally Ill" from many state and federal statutes.
C) a return to the ALI standard for criminal insanity.
D) none of the above

Answer 1

more states placing the burden of proving the defendant's insanity on the defense, rather than requiring the prosecution to prove the defendant's sanity.

Question 2

The 1908 book On the Witness Stand was written by

A) Hugo von Munsterberg.
B) David Bazelon.
C) John Wigmore.
D) Lewis Terman.

Answer 2

Hugo von Munsterberg.

Question 3

A psychologist working as an expert witness is required by the court to have

A) a Psy.D. or Ph.D.
B) board certification in his/her respective specialty.
C) both of the above
D) neither of the above

Answer 3

neither of the above

Question 4

Ashlee,who is wrapping up her undergraduate degree in psychology,is interested in becoming a forensic psychologist.ALL BUT WHICH of the following options are available to her (and others like her)for graduate training in this area?

A) doctoral psychology programs with a law emphasis
B) master's programs in psychology with a law emphasis
C) joint programs that award both law and psychology degrees
D) All of the above training options are available to Ashlee and others.

Question 5

Gloria abused a neighbor's child,who was under her care,so badly that the child ended up in the hospital in critical condition.Gloria asserts that she was mentally ill with post-partum depression at the time of the abuse and could not appreciate that what she was doing was wrong.Assuming that what she is saying is true,under which standard below would Gloria be considered "insane"?

A) M'Naghten rule
B) Durham
C) ALI
D) any of the above

Question 6

Regarding cross-examination of the expert witness,Schwitzgebel and Schwitzgebel (1980)suggest

A) never admitting weaknesses.
B) answering questions quickly rather than taking time to think.
C) both of the above
D) neither of the above

Question 7

Tommy was caught trying to steal a car,and now that he is in custody,he has been accused of stealing multiple cars in the area over the last three weeks.In his defense,Tommy says that he knows stealing cars is wrong,but that he can't help himself from stealing them because of his bipolar disorder.Assuming that what he is saying is true,under which standard below would Tommy be considered "insane"?

A) ALI
B) Durham
C) M'Naghten rule
D) any of the above

Question 8

According to the ethical standards specifically applicable to forensic psychology (e.g.,Blau,1998),

A) the psychologist should accept a fee contingent upon the outcome of a case only if the case is criminal (rather than civil).
B) the psychologist should receive all fees after testifying.
C) the psychologist who regularly testifies as an expert witness should devote some professional time to "pro bono publico" (charity) cases.
D) all of the above

Question 9

The most liberal standard for judging a defendant insane is the

A) M'Naghten rule.
B) ALI standard.
C) Durham standard.
D) concept of biological defect.

Question 10

Which of the following is an accurate statement about the 1993 Supreme Court decision in Daubert v.Merrell Dow?

A) It was intended to make the criteria for determining the admissibility of expert testimony more liberal and flexible, and it has had that effect.
B) It was intended to make the criteria for determining the admissibility of expert testimony more liberal and flexible, and it has had the opposite effect.
C) It was intended to make the criteria for determining the admissibility of expert testimony more restrictive, and it has had that effect.
D) It was intended to make the criteria for determining the admissibility of expert testimony more restrictive, and it has had the opposite effect.

Question 11

Forensic psychology involves the application of the methods,theories,and concepts of psychology to

A) violent criminal behavior.
B) criminal behavior.
C) the legal system.
D) incarcerated individuals.

Question 12

Who is entitled to provide "ultimate opinion" testimony?

A) lay witnesses only
B) expert witnesses only
C) both lay witnesses and expert witnesses
D) neither lay witnesses nor expert witnesses

Question 13

ALL BUT WHICH of the following is true of forensic psychology?

A) The field has not always been well-regarded.
B) Currently, forensic psychology training programs are increasing in both number and kind.
C) Many of the training programs, texts, and journals are interdisciplinary in nature, spanning both law and psychology.
D) The applications of the field are relatively narrow in scope.

Question 14

Insanity

A) is a medical/psychiatric term, rather than a legal one.
B) pleas are often successful.
C) pleas are less common than questions about competency to stand trial.
D) none of the above

Question 15

Appropriately qualified psychologists were first authorized to testify in court as experts on mental disorder in

A) 1942.
B) 1962.
C) 1976.
D) 1990.

Question 16

What is the significance of the 1993 Supreme Court decision in Daubert v.Merrell Dow?

A) It changed the criteria for the admissibility of expert testimony.
B) It narrowed the scope of the opinions that may be offered by expert witnesses.
C) It broadened the scope of the opinions that may be offered by lay witnesses.
D) more than one of the above

Question 17

Which of the following is true regarding lay witnesses and expert witnesses?

A) A lay witness, unlike an expert witness, can offer opinions or inferences.
B) An expert witness, unlike a lay witness, can offer opinions or inferences.
C) Both lay witnesses and expert witnesses can offer opinions or inferences.
D) Neither lay witnesses nor expert witnesses can offer opinions or inferences.

Question 18

Gerald robbed a bank early one morning and was caught by the authorities almost immediately afterwards.Now Gerald claims that he was not sane at the time of the crime.In most states and the District of Columbia,

A) the burden of proof would be on Gerald to show that was not sane when he robbed the bank.
B) the burden of proof would be on the prosecution to show that Gerald was sane when he robbed the bank.
C) both the prosecution and the defense must address the question of sanity in their cases when the defendant enters an insanity plea.
D) the "insanity" plea has been replaced by the "guilty but mentally ill" plea.

Question 19

According to Faust et al.(2010),ALL BUT WHICH of the following is an informal criterion that many trial judges rely upon to decide whether expert testimony is admissible?

A) The testimony must be helpful to the jury.
B) The testimony must be trustworthy and valid.
C) The testimony must be nonredundant with other previous testimony.
D) The testimony must help prove or disprove an important issue in the case.

Question 20

Dr.Beatty,a forensic psychologist,has been contacted to serve as an expert witness for an upcoming court case.How will it be determined whether her testimony is admissible in court?

A) Her testimony will be admissible if she possesses all the necessary credentials (doctoral degree from an accredited program, postdoctoral training, board certification).
B) Her testimony will be admissible if it is generally accepted by others in her professional field.
C) Her testimony will be admissible if it is generally accepted by others in her own and other related professional fields (e.g., psychiatry).
D) Her testimony will be admissible if the trial judge deems it to be relevant and valid.

Question 21

Forensic psychologists who conduct psychotherapy with prisoners

A) do so only in collaboration with the prison chaplain.
B) do so only to restore an incompetent person to a state of mental competence.
C) may only target behaviors that pertain to the relevant criminal act(s).
D) none of the above

Question 22

According to the text,when a prisoner wants to refuse psychological treatment,

A) his/her refusal will not be honored.
B) his/her family will have to hire a private attorney to represent his/her interests.
C) the issue will be taken up by an institutional committee to protect the rights of prisoners.
D) a committee of peers (fellow and former prisoners) will be assembled to consider the issue.

Question 23

Research has suggested that joint custody is contraindicated when

A) the distance between the two parents' homes is greater than 150 miles.
B) the parents have an emotionally charged, conflictual relationship.
C) either parent has a history of psychological or psychiatric treatment.
D) the child has a history of psychological or psychiatric treatment.

Question 24

The present norm in child custody cases is

A) joint custody.
B) maternal custody.
C) paternal custody.
D) foster care.

Question 25

According to the text,the research on clinical versus actuarial prediction of dangerousness

A) clearly indicates that the clinical method is superior.
B) clearly indicates that the actuarial method is superior.
C) does not lend itself to a clear conclusion of superiority for either the clinical or actuarial method.
D) is virtually non-existent.

Question 26

What is notable about the 2003 Supreme Court decision in Sell v.United States?

A) It ruled that criminal defendants with mental illness may be involuntarily medicated if they pose a danger to self or others.
B) It ruled that criminal defendants with mental illness may be involuntarily medicated for the purpose of making them competent to stand trial.
C) It ruled that criminal defendants with mental illness may be involuntarily medicated if it is in their own best interests.
D) more than one of the above

Question 27

Seth has been charged with first-degree murder,but there is some question as to whether he is competent to stand trial.Which issue below was NOT among those identified by Greene and Heilbrun (2011)to be considered by clinicians determining competency?

A) Can he appreciate the nature of the charges against him?
B) Can he understand now that what he did was wrong?
C) Can he cooperate in a reasonable way with counsel?
D) Can he appreciate the proceedings of the court?

Question 28

Among individuals with mental illness,_____% have no history of violence.

A) 20
B) 50
C) 70
D) 90

Question 29

Who can petition the court for an examination of someone they believe requires commitment?

A) anyone
B) only the police
C) only the patient's family
D) only the patient's family or close associates

Question 30

The ultimate goal of a forensic psychologist's report in a child custody case is to

A) serve the best interests of the child.
B) serve the best interests of the party who hired the forensic psychologist.
C) balance the interests of all involved parties.
D) promote the timely movement of the case through the legal system.

Question 31

Which of the following is an accurate statement about the right of hospitalized mental patients to refuse medication?

A) Only patients who are hospitalized voluntarily may refuse medication.
B) Only patients who are capable of informed consent may refuse medication.
C) Only patients who have been hospitalized voluntarily AND are capable of informed consent may refuse medication.
D) none of the above

Question 32

During jury selection,a forensic psychologist

A) who works with one group of attorneys must also offer similar services to the opposing groups of attorneys.
B) ultimately tries to assemble a jury that is as favorably disposed toward the patient as possible.
C) both of the above
D) neither of the above

Question 33

Which of the following is true regarding competency to stand trial?

A) It is possible for a defendant to have been insane when the crime was committed but later be competent to stand trial.
B) It is possible for a defendant to have been sane when the crime was committed but later be incompetent to stand trial.
C) both of the above
D) neither of the above

Question 34

___________ was defined by the U.S.Supreme Court as "...sufficient present ability to consult with his [sic] attorney with a reasonable degree of rational understanding and whether he has a rational as well as factual understanding of the proceedings against him."

A) Competency to stand trial
B) Criminal insanity
C) Involuntary commitment
D) Legal intellectual capacity

Question 35

Which of the following is true regarding the prediction of dangerousness?

A) Violent acts tend to be underpredicted.
B) The ability of laypersons to predict dangerousness is quite poor, and the ability of psychologists to predict dangerousness is quite strong.
C) Psychological evaluations for the purpose of predicting dangerousness are frequently requested by the criminal justice system.
D) none of the above

Question 36

The assessment of _____ focuses on present mental state.

A) insanity
B) competency to stand trial
C) both of the above
D) neither of the above

Question 37

Relative to individuals without a mental disorder diagnosis,a history of violence is especially common among individuals with _____ disorders.

A) anxiety
B) learning
C) mood
D) substance use

Question 38

Which of the following was NOT one of the three primary issues that the American Psychological Association (1994)recommended be addressed in a child custody evaluation?

A) The way each member of the family interacts with the others.
B) The child's ties to relatives on either side of the family.
C) The child's development and psychological needs.
D) Each parent's strengths and limitations.

Question 39

Sheryl is mentally ill.As such,she can be involuntarily committed to a mental institution by the court system if she

A) is dangerous to self or others.
B) is incapable of making responsible decisions about self-care and hospitalization.
C) requires treatment or care in a hospital.
D) any of the above

Question 40

Under which condition below will a person who has been shown to commit a crime be held for treatment rather than punishment?

A) If that person is judged not guilty by reason of insanity.
B) If that person receives a "guilty but mentally ill" verdict.
C) both of the above
D) neither of the above

Question 41

A forensic psychologist might conduct a public opinion survey for ALL BUT WHICH of the following purposes?

A) To gather information that will be helpful for planning the presentation of evidence at a trial.
B) To determine whether there is sufficient cause to request a change of venue for a trial.
C) To help determine which juror characteristics should be considered in jury selection/deselection.
D) Public opinion surveys may be used for all of the above purposes.

Question 42

__________ refers to the part of a trial during which a jury is impaneled.

A) Jurat
B) Voir dire
C) Vinculum juris
D) Trial de novo

Question 43

Identify at least three rights of hospitalized mental patients.Identify at least one additional right over which hospital personnel tend to exercise much discretion.

Question 44

What is true of eyewitness testimony?

A) It has been a powerful factor in the conviction of countless people over the years.
B) It is often unreliable and inaccurate.
C) both of the above
D) neither of the above

Question 45

According to research on the topic,which of the following factors may distort eyewitness testimony?

A) the witness's expectations
B) additional information received by the witness after the witnessed event
C) questions asked of the witness prior to the trial
D) all of the above

Question 46

How is forensic psychology defined? Identify at least four of the eight general activities of forensic psychologists identified in the textbook chapter.

Question 47

Describe at least three roles a forensic psychologist may play as a consultant to a trial attorney,making sure to highlight a couple issues relating to each role.

Question 48

Describe the three situations,identified by Greene and Heilbrun (2011),in which predictions of violent behavior are likely to be most accurate.

Question 49

In the 1990s,a subcommittee was appointed by the American Psychology-Law Society and Division 41 of the American Psychological Association to review scientific evidence regarding eyewitness testimony.According to the subcommittee's recommendations,a person who conducts the lineup or photo spread in a case

A) should know the identity of the suspect.
B) should tell the eyewitness that the suspect in the case appears in the lineup or photo spread.
C) should ensure that the suspect doesn't stand out from the others in either appearance or dress.
D) all of the above

Question 50

Identify at least four questions a forensic psychologist should address when performing a child custody evaluation.

Question 51

Research on jury behavior suggests that

A) when the judge writes instructions in active rather than passive sentences and elaborates on abstractions like "reasonable doubt," jurors tend to apply the law with greater accuracy than they do otherwise.
B) a defendant who is found guilty on several individual criminal charges tends to receive harsher verdicts than a defendant who is found guilty on a single indictment that joins all charges.
C) the impact of the testimony of "dislikable" witnesses is similar to the impact of the testimony of "likable" witnesses.
D) none of the above

Question 52

Which of the following forensic psychologists is behaving most unethically in his/her work on witness preparation?

A) Dr. Hughes is telling a witness which facts of his testimony to emphasize and de-emphasize when he is on the stand.
B) Dr. Leung is advising a witness on clothes, grooming and other appearance-related matters.
C) Dr. Jackson is helping a witness organize the facts she wishes to present to make her testimony clearer to the court.
D) Dr. Sabin is coaching a witness on how to respond if/when his credibility as a witness is threatened.

Question 53

What two general questions should guide a forensic psychologist's evaluation for criminal insanity? Identify several factors the psychologist should examine in order to answer these two questions.

Question 54

What did the Supreme Court decide in the 1993 Daubert v.Merrell Dow case regarding the admissibility of expert testimony? Compare the intent of the decision with its effects to date.

Question 55

Describe at least three highlights in the historical development of forensic psychology.

Question 56

Describe briefly the ALI standard for criminal insanity.Also,indicate at least two effects the Hinckley case (regarding the attempted assassination of Ronald Reagan)had on issues relating to insanity pleas and NGRI verdicts.

Question 57

In jury "shadowing,"

A) jury members undergo psychological evaluations by the consulting forensic psychologist to determine their motivations regarding the outcome of the trial.
B) the consulting forensic psychologist speaks directly with jurors during breaks in the trial.
C) the consulting forensic psychologist hires individuals similar to the jurors and monitors their reactions to the testimony as it is presented during the trial.
D) the consulting forensic psychologist hires individuals similar to the jurors and obtains their reactions to the arguments that will be presented by the attorneys during the actual trial.

Question 58

Under what conditions can an individual be involuntarily committed to a mental institution? Explain the textbook authors' comment that even "voluntary" admission may not be as voluntary as it appears.

Question 59

Dr.Lacombe conducts a study where he recruits a group of 50 participants and has them watch a 10-second film clip of a man breaking into and entering a house.Afterwards,participants are asked about what they observed.Based on the available research on eyewitness testimony,what do you think Dr.Lacombe will find?

A) If the participants provide their testimony immediately after the film clip, their reports will be accurate.
B) The participants will not all agree on basic, specific details such as the subject's height or hair color.
C) None of the participants will provide correct eyewitness testimony.
D) none of the above