Test Bank For Wrightsman's Psychology and the Legal System
9th Edition By Edith Greene; Kirk Heilbrun 9781337679077
Chapter 1-15 Complete Guide .
How are average citizens affected by the law? - ANSWER: Average citizens are affected by the law in
their private, as well as personal lives. Laws dictate how long one must stay in school, how fast one
may drive, as well as when (and sometimes whom) one may marry.
Why do we have laws? - ANSWER: laws are developed to keep people from taking things into their
own hands, and to ensure that individual rights are not violated.
Can laws be changed? - ANSWER: Yes, laws must change along with technological advancements as
well as shifting
worldviews of the american people. Advancements in neuroscience, brain imaging, and DNA testing
now have great impacts on the outcomes of investigations and trials as well as new legislation.
When the car was invented, what kinds of laws did that create? - ANSWER: The invention of the
automobile created laws that were meant to protect pedestrians and prevent car accidents. The law
requires a driver who injures another person to report the incident.
Edward Rosenheimer - ANSWER: In the early 20th century, Edward Rosenheimer was charged with
violating the newly implemented reporting laws. He did not contest the charge that he had caused an
accident that injured another person, but he claimed that the law requiring him to report it to the
police was unconstitutional because it forced him to incriminate himself. He argued that he should be
freed of the charge of leaving the scene of an accident, and that the law be removed from the books.
Given the advent of Google Glasses and driver-less cars, provide 1 example of psychological research
that will need to be conducted on either of these topics to aid the law. - ANSWER: Psychological
research will be needed to assess whether navigating with Google Glasses while driving is more or less
distracting than glancing at a GPS unit or phone.
Describe how anthropology studies the law - ANSWER: Anthropologists compare laws in different
societies and relate them to other characteristics of these societies. They may examine the frequency
of rape in different societies, and its relation to other factors such as the degree of male domination.
Describe how sociology studies the law - ANSWER: Sociologists usually study a specific society and
examine its institutions (ex: the family, the church, or the subculture) to determine their role in
developing adherence to the law. They might study the role of social class in criminal behavior.
(examines groups rather than individuals.)
psych approach vs. sociological - ANSWER: psych approach emphasizes human determinants.
Individual is seen as the unit of analysis, rather than the group. Individuals are seen as responsible for
their own conduct and as contributing to its causation. Examines thoughts and actions.
Kurt Lewin - ANSWER: Kurt Lewin, a founder of social psychology, proposed the equation B = f(p,e):
behavior is a function of the person traits and the environment.
Ex: a prosecuting attorney may recommend a harsher sentence for a convicted felon if the case has
been highly publicized, the community is outraged over the crime, and the prosecutor happens to be
waging a reelection campaign. Or, a juror holding out for a guilty verdict may yield if all the other
jurors passionately proclaim the defendant's innocence.
Key players in the legal system - ANSWER: Defendants, witnesses, civil and criminal lawyers, judge,
juries, convicts and parole boards.
, In what area of specialization in psychology are most forensic psychologists trained, and what do they
do in the legal system? - ANSWER: trained as clinical psychologists. they perform psych evals and are
often asked to prepare a report for a court, sometimes provide expert testimony in a hearing or trial.
also make custody recommendations, and assess risk of violent behavior
How are values and choices connected, and how does this impact the creation of laws? - ANSWER:
People must make decisions about their personal values, but when real-life choices are made based
on those values, they can sometimes be problematic for others. People who opt not to wear a seat
belt are making a seemingly personal choice, But that choice puts them at greater risk for death or
serious injury in an accident, and accidents involve costs to society, including lost wages, higher
insurance premiums, and disability payments to the injured person and that person's dependents.
Individual rights vs. societal rights - ANSWER: Individuals have certain rights, such as freedom of
expression, that may interfere with the well being or happiness of the common good. Thus, restraints
can be placed on the individual for the common good. For example, individuals who choose to smoke
cigarettes have the right to do so, but the people who are at the same place also have the right to
breathe clean air. Another example looks at an individual's right to express himself through how he
dresses, while his community is offended by his sagging pants, and attempts to ban the fashion
statement.
The United States is considered one of the most "individualistic" societies in the world (vs. collective).
How does this impact the creation of laws? - ANSWER: Freedom and personal autonomy are two of
our most deeply desired values in the U.S. Laws are often tailored to avoid creating burdens on
individual liberties.
What was the ACLU's position on the white supremacists at the rally? Are there any restrictions on
freedom of speech, and if so, what are they? - ANSWER: The ACLU supported the white supremacist's
right to protest. Freedom of speech does not extend itself to obscenities, fighting words, and perjury.
What was the position of the US Supreme Court regarding the rights of defendants in the 1960s?
What is the Miranda warning, an example of the Court's posture at that time? - ANSWER: In the
1960s, the Supreme Court expanded the rights of defendants in order to help shrink the gap between
the powerful government and the lowly suspect. The Miranda rule guaranteed the right to remain
silent when in police custody. The right to an attorney for criminal defendants when incarceration was
at risk was also granted.
Relative to the 1960s, how have the opinions of the Supreme Court changed over time to the present
day? - ANSWER: Present day Supreme Court opinions have often ruled in favor of police. Ex: Traffic
laws.
Due process model - ANSWER: primary value on the protection of citizens, including criminal suspects,
from possible abuses by the police and law enforcement. It assumes the innocence of suspects and
emphasizes the rights of individuals. Ex: Miranda warning, Gideon v Wainright, Westboro protestors
The impact of the Great Recession (2007-09) on societal response to crime - ANSWER: As federal and
state budgets tightened, legislators and law enforcement officials reevaluated the many, expensive
"tough on crime" policies.
Equality vs. Discretion - ANSWER: When a judge gives in too much to the principle of equality,
circumstances are not adequately factored in, and sentences can sometimes seem unfair. On the
other hand, If a judge leans too far into personal discretion, discrimination and bias can create
unfairness for those involved. For example, Ken Peacock shot his wife after finding she was having an
affair, and was sentenced to 18 months (too much discretion). While a female defendant in the same
city, same week, was given 3 years for killing her abusive husband of 11 years (too much rigid
equality).
9th Edition By Edith Greene; Kirk Heilbrun 9781337679077
Chapter 1-15 Complete Guide .
How are average citizens affected by the law? - ANSWER: Average citizens are affected by the law in
their private, as well as personal lives. Laws dictate how long one must stay in school, how fast one
may drive, as well as when (and sometimes whom) one may marry.
Why do we have laws? - ANSWER: laws are developed to keep people from taking things into their
own hands, and to ensure that individual rights are not violated.
Can laws be changed? - ANSWER: Yes, laws must change along with technological advancements as
well as shifting
worldviews of the american people. Advancements in neuroscience, brain imaging, and DNA testing
now have great impacts on the outcomes of investigations and trials as well as new legislation.
When the car was invented, what kinds of laws did that create? - ANSWER: The invention of the
automobile created laws that were meant to protect pedestrians and prevent car accidents. The law
requires a driver who injures another person to report the incident.
Edward Rosenheimer - ANSWER: In the early 20th century, Edward Rosenheimer was charged with
violating the newly implemented reporting laws. He did not contest the charge that he had caused an
accident that injured another person, but he claimed that the law requiring him to report it to the
police was unconstitutional because it forced him to incriminate himself. He argued that he should be
freed of the charge of leaving the scene of an accident, and that the law be removed from the books.
Given the advent of Google Glasses and driver-less cars, provide 1 example of psychological research
that will need to be conducted on either of these topics to aid the law. - ANSWER: Psychological
research will be needed to assess whether navigating with Google Glasses while driving is more or less
distracting than glancing at a GPS unit or phone.
Describe how anthropology studies the law - ANSWER: Anthropologists compare laws in different
societies and relate them to other characteristics of these societies. They may examine the frequency
of rape in different societies, and its relation to other factors such as the degree of male domination.
Describe how sociology studies the law - ANSWER: Sociologists usually study a specific society and
examine its institutions (ex: the family, the church, or the subculture) to determine their role in
developing adherence to the law. They might study the role of social class in criminal behavior.
(examines groups rather than individuals.)
psych approach vs. sociological - ANSWER: psych approach emphasizes human determinants.
Individual is seen as the unit of analysis, rather than the group. Individuals are seen as responsible for
their own conduct and as contributing to its causation. Examines thoughts and actions.
Kurt Lewin - ANSWER: Kurt Lewin, a founder of social psychology, proposed the equation B = f(p,e):
behavior is a function of the person traits and the environment.
Ex: a prosecuting attorney may recommend a harsher sentence for a convicted felon if the case has
been highly publicized, the community is outraged over the crime, and the prosecutor happens to be
waging a reelection campaign. Or, a juror holding out for a guilty verdict may yield if all the other
jurors passionately proclaim the defendant's innocence.
Key players in the legal system - ANSWER: Defendants, witnesses, civil and criminal lawyers, judge,
juries, convicts and parole boards.
, In what area of specialization in psychology are most forensic psychologists trained, and what do they
do in the legal system? - ANSWER: trained as clinical psychologists. they perform psych evals and are
often asked to prepare a report for a court, sometimes provide expert testimony in a hearing or trial.
also make custody recommendations, and assess risk of violent behavior
How are values and choices connected, and how does this impact the creation of laws? - ANSWER:
People must make decisions about their personal values, but when real-life choices are made based
on those values, they can sometimes be problematic for others. People who opt not to wear a seat
belt are making a seemingly personal choice, But that choice puts them at greater risk for death or
serious injury in an accident, and accidents involve costs to society, including lost wages, higher
insurance premiums, and disability payments to the injured person and that person's dependents.
Individual rights vs. societal rights - ANSWER: Individuals have certain rights, such as freedom of
expression, that may interfere with the well being or happiness of the common good. Thus, restraints
can be placed on the individual for the common good. For example, individuals who choose to smoke
cigarettes have the right to do so, but the people who are at the same place also have the right to
breathe clean air. Another example looks at an individual's right to express himself through how he
dresses, while his community is offended by his sagging pants, and attempts to ban the fashion
statement.
The United States is considered one of the most "individualistic" societies in the world (vs. collective).
How does this impact the creation of laws? - ANSWER: Freedom and personal autonomy are two of
our most deeply desired values in the U.S. Laws are often tailored to avoid creating burdens on
individual liberties.
What was the ACLU's position on the white supremacists at the rally? Are there any restrictions on
freedom of speech, and if so, what are they? - ANSWER: The ACLU supported the white supremacist's
right to protest. Freedom of speech does not extend itself to obscenities, fighting words, and perjury.
What was the position of the US Supreme Court regarding the rights of defendants in the 1960s?
What is the Miranda warning, an example of the Court's posture at that time? - ANSWER: In the
1960s, the Supreme Court expanded the rights of defendants in order to help shrink the gap between
the powerful government and the lowly suspect. The Miranda rule guaranteed the right to remain
silent when in police custody. The right to an attorney for criminal defendants when incarceration was
at risk was also granted.
Relative to the 1960s, how have the opinions of the Supreme Court changed over time to the present
day? - ANSWER: Present day Supreme Court opinions have often ruled in favor of police. Ex: Traffic
laws.
Due process model - ANSWER: primary value on the protection of citizens, including criminal suspects,
from possible abuses by the police and law enforcement. It assumes the innocence of suspects and
emphasizes the rights of individuals. Ex: Miranda warning, Gideon v Wainright, Westboro protestors
The impact of the Great Recession (2007-09) on societal response to crime - ANSWER: As federal and
state budgets tightened, legislators and law enforcement officials reevaluated the many, expensive
"tough on crime" policies.
Equality vs. Discretion - ANSWER: When a judge gives in too much to the principle of equality,
circumstances are not adequately factored in, and sentences can sometimes seem unfair. On the
other hand, If a judge leans too far into personal discretion, discrimination and bias can create
unfairness for those involved. For example, Ken Peacock shot his wife after finding she was having an
affair, and was sentenced to 18 months (too much discretion). While a female defendant in the same
city, same week, was given 3 years for killing her abusive husband of 11 years (too much rigid
equality).
