PSYC 395 FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | NEW UPDATE
2026 | GRADED A+ Athabasca
summarize the debate surrounding expert testimony on eyewitness issues.
What is the quality and accuracy of eyewitness descriptions of perpetrators? -
ANSWERS While many researchers maintain that expert witnesses can provide
expert testimony in court on issues such as lineup procedures, interview
procedures and confidence-accuracy relationship, some disagree.
The argument is that experts are overconfident in their conclusions and mislead
courts as to the validity, consistency and generalizability of the data.
research has varied results, often uses university students (specific
demongraphic), not matching the reality of witness experiences.
*Discuss the difficulty in defining the nature of forensic psychology. - ANSWERS
it is very broad and diverse.
Clinical F.P conduct assessments, evaluations, and treatment- work in criminal
courts and provide opinion to the court. They answer questions about the care of
children and families ability to care for them- also they evaluate people who have
lawsuits.
Some FP do experimental work that may influence how laws are made or carried
out.
,they analyse the psychological details of cases. They also work with people who
are demonstrating extreme emotional states.
*What is the difference between a forensic psychologist and a forensic
psychiatrist? - ANSWERS Both occupations intersect with the law and mental
health, but there are differences:
Psychologist: Involved in research, PhD, specializes in specific aspect of the law-
criminal, civil, family. A research degree.
Psychiatrist: Medical doctor who specializes in mental health and the law,
prescribes medications, conducts assessments. A medical degree. Assess and
evaluate the victim, suspect, or witness. forensic psychologist that tends to focus
on evaluating and measuring the mental capacity of the criminal defendant
*Differentiate "psychology in the law" from "psychology of the law." -
ANSWERS IN: The use of psychology in the legal system as it already operates.
Researchers conduct experiments and bring to light new and useful information
that can then be used by lawyers, judges, social workers to guide decisions. So
psychology in the law means using psychological knowledge IN the legal system.
Ex: an expert witness who draws on current research relevant to a particular case
prior to testifying.
OF: The use of psychology to examine the law itself. Psychology of the law
addresses research questions to be studied. Ex: Does the law create order in
society? This type of psychology is not considered one of the fundamental aspects
of forensic psychology, but interest is growing. Answering research questions is
challenging because it often involves multiple disciplines- sociology, criminology,
law.
,AND: Psychology is viewed as a separate discipline. This kind of psychology
examines assumptions made by the law or our legal system by asking questions
like Are eyewitnesses accurate? Are judges fair in the way they hand down
sentences? is it possible to predict which offenders will be violent when they are
released from prison? FP attempt to answer these kinds of questions so that they
can be communicated to the legal community.
Most of FP is AND the law.
*Outline three major theories about the cause of crime. - ANSWERS
Biological: Mark and Ervin's dyscontrol theory. They proposed that lesions in the
temporal lobe and limbic system result in electrical disorganization within the
brain, which leads to a dyscontrol syndrome. Symptoms of dyscontrol syndrome
could include outbursts of sudden physical violence, impulsive sexual behaviour,
and serious traffic violations.
Sociological: Merton's (1938) strain theory. Merton proposed that crime is largely
a product of the strain felt by certain individuals in society, typically the lower
class, who have restricted access to legitimate means (e.g., education) of
achieving goals of success (e.g., status). Merton argued that, while some of these
individuals will be happy with the lesser goals that are achievable, others will turn
to illegitimate means (e.g., crime) in an attempt to achieve the valued goals.
Psychological: Akers's (1973) social learning theory. Akers suggested that crime is
learned in the same way that noncriminal behaviour is learned. The likelihood of
becoming a criminal increases when one interacts with individuals who favour
antisocial attitudes; when one is exposed to role models, either in person or
symbolically, who exhibit antisocial behaviour; when one defines antisocial
behaviour as justified in a particular situation; and when one has received (and
expects to receive) a greater degree of rewards versus punishments for antisocial
behaviour.
, *Give five reasons why police discretion is necessary - ANSWERS The reason
for allowing police to practice discretion is that it is impossible to establish laws or
policies that encompass all the possible situations that an officer may find herself
in.
There are many important reasons why police discretion is necessary:
1- An officer who attempts to enforce all of the laws at all times would forever be
in court and at the police station, and of no use to his force or the safety of the
community.
2- Some laws are passed that are not intended to be enforced all the time.
3- Some laws are vague, making it necessary for police to interpret them and
decide when to apply them.
4- Most law violations are minor and don't require full enforcement of the law.
5- Full enforcement of the law at all times would alienate the public and
undermine support for the police.
*What is the Reid model? Describe the model's key stages in police interrogation.
Of the nine steps for stage 3, which two do you feel to be the most critical? Justify
your answer. - ANSWERS the Reid model can take several forms, but generally
consists of a three-part process. The first stage is to gather evidence related to the
crime, and interview witnesses and victims. The second stage is to conduct a non-
accusatorial interview of the suspect to assess any evidence of deception. the
third stage is to conduct an accusatorial interrogation of the suspect. The third
stage has nine steps with the objective of securing a confession.
7. The suspect is offered explanations for the crime, which makes self-
incrimination easier to achieve. For example, rather than the suspect being
involved in an intentional homicide, which would carry a very severe penalty, the
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | NEW UPDATE
2026 | GRADED A+ Athabasca
summarize the debate surrounding expert testimony on eyewitness issues.
What is the quality and accuracy of eyewitness descriptions of perpetrators? -
ANSWERS While many researchers maintain that expert witnesses can provide
expert testimony in court on issues such as lineup procedures, interview
procedures and confidence-accuracy relationship, some disagree.
The argument is that experts are overconfident in their conclusions and mislead
courts as to the validity, consistency and generalizability of the data.
research has varied results, often uses university students (specific
demongraphic), not matching the reality of witness experiences.
*Discuss the difficulty in defining the nature of forensic psychology. - ANSWERS
it is very broad and diverse.
Clinical F.P conduct assessments, evaluations, and treatment- work in criminal
courts and provide opinion to the court. They answer questions about the care of
children and families ability to care for them- also they evaluate people who have
lawsuits.
Some FP do experimental work that may influence how laws are made or carried
out.
,they analyse the psychological details of cases. They also work with people who
are demonstrating extreme emotional states.
*What is the difference between a forensic psychologist and a forensic
psychiatrist? - ANSWERS Both occupations intersect with the law and mental
health, but there are differences:
Psychologist: Involved in research, PhD, specializes in specific aspect of the law-
criminal, civil, family. A research degree.
Psychiatrist: Medical doctor who specializes in mental health and the law,
prescribes medications, conducts assessments. A medical degree. Assess and
evaluate the victim, suspect, or witness. forensic psychologist that tends to focus
on evaluating and measuring the mental capacity of the criminal defendant
*Differentiate "psychology in the law" from "psychology of the law." -
ANSWERS IN: The use of psychology in the legal system as it already operates.
Researchers conduct experiments and bring to light new and useful information
that can then be used by lawyers, judges, social workers to guide decisions. So
psychology in the law means using psychological knowledge IN the legal system.
Ex: an expert witness who draws on current research relevant to a particular case
prior to testifying.
OF: The use of psychology to examine the law itself. Psychology of the law
addresses research questions to be studied. Ex: Does the law create order in
society? This type of psychology is not considered one of the fundamental aspects
of forensic psychology, but interest is growing. Answering research questions is
challenging because it often involves multiple disciplines- sociology, criminology,
law.
,AND: Psychology is viewed as a separate discipline. This kind of psychology
examines assumptions made by the law or our legal system by asking questions
like Are eyewitnesses accurate? Are judges fair in the way they hand down
sentences? is it possible to predict which offenders will be violent when they are
released from prison? FP attempt to answer these kinds of questions so that they
can be communicated to the legal community.
Most of FP is AND the law.
*Outline three major theories about the cause of crime. - ANSWERS
Biological: Mark and Ervin's dyscontrol theory. They proposed that lesions in the
temporal lobe and limbic system result in electrical disorganization within the
brain, which leads to a dyscontrol syndrome. Symptoms of dyscontrol syndrome
could include outbursts of sudden physical violence, impulsive sexual behaviour,
and serious traffic violations.
Sociological: Merton's (1938) strain theory. Merton proposed that crime is largely
a product of the strain felt by certain individuals in society, typically the lower
class, who have restricted access to legitimate means (e.g., education) of
achieving goals of success (e.g., status). Merton argued that, while some of these
individuals will be happy with the lesser goals that are achievable, others will turn
to illegitimate means (e.g., crime) in an attempt to achieve the valued goals.
Psychological: Akers's (1973) social learning theory. Akers suggested that crime is
learned in the same way that noncriminal behaviour is learned. The likelihood of
becoming a criminal increases when one interacts with individuals who favour
antisocial attitudes; when one is exposed to role models, either in person or
symbolically, who exhibit antisocial behaviour; when one defines antisocial
behaviour as justified in a particular situation; and when one has received (and
expects to receive) a greater degree of rewards versus punishments for antisocial
behaviour.
, *Give five reasons why police discretion is necessary - ANSWERS The reason
for allowing police to practice discretion is that it is impossible to establish laws or
policies that encompass all the possible situations that an officer may find herself
in.
There are many important reasons why police discretion is necessary:
1- An officer who attempts to enforce all of the laws at all times would forever be
in court and at the police station, and of no use to his force or the safety of the
community.
2- Some laws are passed that are not intended to be enforced all the time.
3- Some laws are vague, making it necessary for police to interpret them and
decide when to apply them.
4- Most law violations are minor and don't require full enforcement of the law.
5- Full enforcement of the law at all times would alienate the public and
undermine support for the police.
*What is the Reid model? Describe the model's key stages in police interrogation.
Of the nine steps for stage 3, which two do you feel to be the most critical? Justify
your answer. - ANSWERS the Reid model can take several forms, but generally
consists of a three-part process. The first stage is to gather evidence related to the
crime, and interview witnesses and victims. The second stage is to conduct a non-
accusatorial interview of the suspect to assess any evidence of deception. the
third stage is to conduct an accusatorial interrogation of the suspect. The third
stage has nine steps with the objective of securing a confession.
7. The suspect is offered explanations for the crime, which makes self-
incrimination easier to achieve. For example, rather than the suspect being
involved in an intentional homicide, which would carry a very severe penalty, the
