FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
What is Forensic Psychology? - Answers-Any application of psychological research
methods, theory, and practice to a task faced by the legal system.
-The research of human behavior related to the legal process(eyewitness, testimony,
jury decision)
Contributions to Forensics - Answers-Developmental, social, clinical, and cognitive.
Developmental Psychology - Answers-Custody arrangements following divorce
Trying children as adults
Social Psychology - Answers-Interrogators' use of coercion and persuasion
Group Dynamics of juries
Clinical Psychology - Answers-Mental illness and competence to stand trial
Prediction of future violence among mentally ill
Cognitive Psychology - Answers-Accuracy of eyewitness testimony
Jurors' understanding of legal instructions
What did Herman Ebbinghaus do? - Answers-He demonstrated the rapid rate of early
memory loss
What did Alfred Binet do? - Answers-He studied Children's competence as
eyewitnesses
What did Louis Stern do? - Answers-He published eyewitness research in Germany
Testified as an expert on eyewitness identification
What did Guy Whipple do? - Answers-He conducted experiments relating testimony and
evidence to perception and memory.
Why was there little research from WWI to the late 1970's relating to the legal system? -
Answers-1. Munsterberg had generated such a negative response
2. The legal community was not open to the contributions of psychologists.
What is law? - Answers-It focuses on the issues of morality, social values, social control,
and justifying the application of abstract principles to specific classes
*It values efficiency and expediency
, What is social science? - Answers-This focuses on issues of knowledge, truth, and
driving abstract principles from specific instances
* Values reproducible phenomena and underlying concepts and causes.
What are the 3 legal system criticisms? - Answers-1. lack of ecological validity of
psychological research
2. Going beyond the data to make moral judgments
3. Intruding upon the legitimate activities of the legal system
McCleskey V. Kemp 1987 - Answers-Warren McCleskey was an african-american man
that helped rob a furniture store and was convicted of killing a white police officer who
responded.
He was sentenced to death, but claimed that the state of Georgia administered its death
sentencing laws in a racially discriminatory manner. This was supported statistical
evidence.
The US Supreme court rejected his claim and he was executed.
What are the 6 roles and responsibilities of a Forensic Psychologist? - Answers-1.
Researcher
2. Consultant to law enforcement
3. Trial Consultant
4. Evaluator and assessor
5.Expert Witness
6. Influencing the Legal System
What does a Researcher do? - Answers-All areas of speciality contribute to the
Knowledge base using the scientific method.
What does Consultant to law enforcement do? - Answers-They are often involved in
personnel selection, evaluation, promotion, and training.
Ethical issue: Who's the client?
What does a Trial Consultant do? - Answers-(aka litigation consultant or jury consultant)
They are hired by attorneys to help with jury selection, witness preparation, or trial
strategy.
What does an Evaluator and Assessor do? - Answers-They deal with civil cases and
criminal cases
-emotional trauma
-parental fitness
-psychological disability (social security)
What do Forensic Evaluations consist of? - Answers-Capital Sentencing
ANSWERS
What is Forensic Psychology? - Answers-Any application of psychological research
methods, theory, and practice to a task faced by the legal system.
-The research of human behavior related to the legal process(eyewitness, testimony,
jury decision)
Contributions to Forensics - Answers-Developmental, social, clinical, and cognitive.
Developmental Psychology - Answers-Custody arrangements following divorce
Trying children as adults
Social Psychology - Answers-Interrogators' use of coercion and persuasion
Group Dynamics of juries
Clinical Psychology - Answers-Mental illness and competence to stand trial
Prediction of future violence among mentally ill
Cognitive Psychology - Answers-Accuracy of eyewitness testimony
Jurors' understanding of legal instructions
What did Herman Ebbinghaus do? - Answers-He demonstrated the rapid rate of early
memory loss
What did Alfred Binet do? - Answers-He studied Children's competence as
eyewitnesses
What did Louis Stern do? - Answers-He published eyewitness research in Germany
Testified as an expert on eyewitness identification
What did Guy Whipple do? - Answers-He conducted experiments relating testimony and
evidence to perception and memory.
Why was there little research from WWI to the late 1970's relating to the legal system? -
Answers-1. Munsterberg had generated such a negative response
2. The legal community was not open to the contributions of psychologists.
What is law? - Answers-It focuses on the issues of morality, social values, social control,
and justifying the application of abstract principles to specific classes
*It values efficiency and expediency
, What is social science? - Answers-This focuses on issues of knowledge, truth, and
driving abstract principles from specific instances
* Values reproducible phenomena and underlying concepts and causes.
What are the 3 legal system criticisms? - Answers-1. lack of ecological validity of
psychological research
2. Going beyond the data to make moral judgments
3. Intruding upon the legitimate activities of the legal system
McCleskey V. Kemp 1987 - Answers-Warren McCleskey was an african-american man
that helped rob a furniture store and was convicted of killing a white police officer who
responded.
He was sentenced to death, but claimed that the state of Georgia administered its death
sentencing laws in a racially discriminatory manner. This was supported statistical
evidence.
The US Supreme court rejected his claim and he was executed.
What are the 6 roles and responsibilities of a Forensic Psychologist? - Answers-1.
Researcher
2. Consultant to law enforcement
3. Trial Consultant
4. Evaluator and assessor
5.Expert Witness
6. Influencing the Legal System
What does a Researcher do? - Answers-All areas of speciality contribute to the
Knowledge base using the scientific method.
What does Consultant to law enforcement do? - Answers-They are often involved in
personnel selection, evaluation, promotion, and training.
Ethical issue: Who's the client?
What does a Trial Consultant do? - Answers-(aka litigation consultant or jury consultant)
They are hired by attorneys to help with jury selection, witness preparation, or trial
strategy.
What does an Evaluator and Assessor do? - Answers-They deal with civil cases and
criminal cases
-emotional trauma
-parental fitness
-psychological disability (social security)
What do Forensic Evaluations consist of? - Answers-Capital Sentencing
