Forensic Psychology Exam 2 questions with
verified answers
A court's authority to hear appeals regarding decisions of lower courts
is known as ______. Ans✓✓✓ appellate jurisdiction
A psychologist who helps negotiate settlements to avoid costly trials is
playing the role of ______ in family court. Ans✓✓✓ mediator
According to the Dusky standard, a defendant must not only
understand what is happening but also be ______. Ans✓✓✓ able to
assist in his or her own defense
acute dynamic factors Ans✓✓✓ Psychological characteristics that
change rapidly (within days, hours, or even minutes) and include such
things as mood swings, emotional arousal, and alcohol or other drug-
induced effects.
adjudicative competence Ans✓✓✓ The ability to participate in a
variety of legal proceedings, including plea bargaining and participating
in a criminal trial.
advance directives Ans✓✓✓ Documents that allow persons to make
advance decisions about life-sustaining procedures in the event of a
terminal condition or persistent vegetative state, or any other later
health care decision.
,Aggravating factors Ans✓✓✓ Circumstances surrounding a crime that
heighten its seriousness for purposes of sentencing. An example would
be an excessively heinous or cruel method of carrying out a crime, such
as a torture murder.
amicus curiae briefs Ans✓✓✓ Documents submitted to appellate
courts by outside parties to call attention to some matter that might
otherwise escape the courts' attention.
An attorney who strikes a potential juror because the individual had a
past relationship with the defendant is exercising ______. Ans✓✓✓
peremptory challenge
An expert who provides an opinion about whether or not a defendant is
competent to be executed is addressing ______. Ans✓✓✓ the ultimate
issue
appellate jurisdiction Ans✓✓✓ A court's authority to hear appeals
from decisions of lower courts.
approximation rule Ans✓✓✓ Court looks at the amount of caretaking
done by each parent before making a decision on child custody.
, arraignment Ans✓✓✓ Court proceeding during which criminal
defendants are formally charged with an offense, informed of their
rights, and asked to enter a plea.
Assisted outpatient treatment (AOT) Ans✓✓✓ Court-ordered mental
health treatment in the community, on the condition that a person will
be hospitalized or rehospitalized if not cooperative with treatment
providers.
bench trial/court trial Ans✓✓✓ A civil or criminal trial in which the
judge, rather than a jury, is the finder of fact, responsible for reviewing
the evidence and rendering a verdict.
Best interest of the child (BIC) standard Ans✓✓✓ The legal doctrine
that the parents' legal rights should be secondary to what is best for the
child.
beyond a reasonable doubt Ans✓✓✓ The burden of proof that must
be met by the government in all criminal cases.
case-blind consultant Ans✓✓✓ Professional who consults with lawyers
or judges on issues relating to a case without direct contact with the
litigants; may review work of other consultants or provide legal
professionals with relevant research data.
verified answers
A court's authority to hear appeals regarding decisions of lower courts
is known as ______. Ans✓✓✓ appellate jurisdiction
A psychologist who helps negotiate settlements to avoid costly trials is
playing the role of ______ in family court. Ans✓✓✓ mediator
According to the Dusky standard, a defendant must not only
understand what is happening but also be ______. Ans✓✓✓ able to
assist in his or her own defense
acute dynamic factors Ans✓✓✓ Psychological characteristics that
change rapidly (within days, hours, or even minutes) and include such
things as mood swings, emotional arousal, and alcohol or other drug-
induced effects.
adjudicative competence Ans✓✓✓ The ability to participate in a
variety of legal proceedings, including plea bargaining and participating
in a criminal trial.
advance directives Ans✓✓✓ Documents that allow persons to make
advance decisions about life-sustaining procedures in the event of a
terminal condition or persistent vegetative state, or any other later
health care decision.
,Aggravating factors Ans✓✓✓ Circumstances surrounding a crime that
heighten its seriousness for purposes of sentencing. An example would
be an excessively heinous or cruel method of carrying out a crime, such
as a torture murder.
amicus curiae briefs Ans✓✓✓ Documents submitted to appellate
courts by outside parties to call attention to some matter that might
otherwise escape the courts' attention.
An attorney who strikes a potential juror because the individual had a
past relationship with the defendant is exercising ______. Ans✓✓✓
peremptory challenge
An expert who provides an opinion about whether or not a defendant is
competent to be executed is addressing ______. Ans✓✓✓ the ultimate
issue
appellate jurisdiction Ans✓✓✓ A court's authority to hear appeals
from decisions of lower courts.
approximation rule Ans✓✓✓ Court looks at the amount of caretaking
done by each parent before making a decision on child custody.
, arraignment Ans✓✓✓ Court proceeding during which criminal
defendants are formally charged with an offense, informed of their
rights, and asked to enter a plea.
Assisted outpatient treatment (AOT) Ans✓✓✓ Court-ordered mental
health treatment in the community, on the condition that a person will
be hospitalized or rehospitalized if not cooperative with treatment
providers.
bench trial/court trial Ans✓✓✓ A civil or criminal trial in which the
judge, rather than a jury, is the finder of fact, responsible for reviewing
the evidence and rendering a verdict.
Best interest of the child (BIC) standard Ans✓✓✓ The legal doctrine
that the parents' legal rights should be secondary to what is best for the
child.
beyond a reasonable doubt Ans✓✓✓ The burden of proof that must
be met by the government in all criminal cases.
case-blind consultant Ans✓✓✓ Professional who consults with lawyers
or judges on issues relating to a case without direct contact with the
litigants; may review work of other consultants or provide legal
professionals with relevant research data.
