Forensic Psychology - Practice Questions & Answers Solved 100% Correct

Forensic Psychology - Practice Questions & Answers Solved 100% Correct What are the Similarities and differences between psychology and the law? -Answer-- commonly use similar terms, however often intend different meanings - They are both concerned with predicting, explaining and controlling behaviour - law is based on assumptions about human nature and the manner in which human behaviour is determined - while both psychology and law accept that human behaviour is not random, law relies on assumptions about human behaviour and psychology tries to understand and predict behaviour Describe the Role of a Forensic Psychologist -Answer-- forensic psychology is psychology applied to the work of the courts - it is the branch of psychology that interfaces with the legal and justice systems (APA definition) - the clinical practice of psychology within a legal system that embraces both civil and criminal law Describe psychological perspectives of offending behaviour -Answer-- It has a group and individual level focus - sees offending as a type of behaviour - knowledge of antisocial behaviour informs the study of crime - interaction between individual and environment What is the role of the interaction between individual and environment -Answer-- given the same environment, some people will be more likely to commit offences that others, and conversely the same person will be more likely to commit offences in some environments than others -the individual has a level of degree of criminal/antisocial tendencies and the environment provides the opportunity What make a good theory? -Answer-- Based on observation - attempts to categorise, describe or explain - organises similar ideas and explanations - explains why or how an event of phenomena occurs Compare and Contrast theories of crime -Answer-Differential Association Theory (Edwin Sutherland) - states that people learn to engage in crime. This learning results from interactions from others and often occurs in small intimate groups. People learn criminal techniques, motives, attitudes and rationalisations, and also learn to de-value conventional values and morals. Differences in association with criminals and non-criminals varies in duration, intensity, frequency and priority. - essentially criminal behaviour is learnt as anything else is. It is a response to the same cultural needs and values as non-criminal behaviour Agnew General Strain Theory - conceptualises how people respond to 'strain'. Strain causes negative feelings (e.g. fear, despair, defeat). Because of this people become angry and blame their circumstances on others. This anger leads to lowered inhibitions and creates a desire for revenge. - essentially those who are subjected to repeated 'strain' are more likely to be antisocial and/or commit crimes - anger is used to justify criminal and/or antisocial activities - Increase in strain = increase in anger = increase in crime - coping strategies can stop people under 'strain