PSY 3173 Lecture 1: PSY3173 Notes- All you need
22 Jun 2018
School
Department
Course
Professor
1A): What is Forensic Psychology?
General Definition: a field of psychology that deals with all aspects of human behaviour
as it relates to the law or legal system.
-Originated in the US, focuses on eyewitness testimony.
-Canada, the main operation of forensic psychology is in corrections.
Two main approaches to Forensic Psychology:
-Narrow Approach: excludes research
The professional practice by psychologists within the areas of clinical psychology,
counseling psychology, neuropsychology, and school psychology, when they are
engaged regularly as experts and represent themselves as such, in an activity primarily
intended to provide professional psychological expertise to the judicial system
(ABFP&AP-LS).
Broad approach:includes research. This is the definition we used in Canada for
Forensic Psy
Any research endeavour that examines aspects of human behaviour directly related to
the legal process, and the professional practice of psychology within, or in consultation
with, a legal system that embraces both civil and criminal law (Bartol and Bartol). Course
will focus exclusively on criminal law.
The Roles of a Forensic Psychologist
-The Forensic Psychologist as a Clinician-
-Assessment and treatment of mental health issues as they pertain to the law or legal
system
-Not limited to clinical work/practicing, may also do research
-Wide variety of settings: schools, prisons, hospitals, etc
-Must be a licensed Clinical psychologist
-Forensic psychiatry, field of medicine that deals with all aspects of human
behaviour as it relates to the law (Medical Doctor) vs forensic psychology.
Psychiatrist will rely on medical model. Psychologist will consider all factors. Social, etc..
Both trained to treat people with mental health problems.
Make decision/informed opinion if offender will be of danger to society/or can be
released
May look at personality profiles of prospective police officers to see if they are a fit.
Provide expert testimony, and be a witness during a trial(not common in Canada).
The Forensic Psychologist as a Researcher- training requires masters/doctor degree in
area of psychology. Work for correctional services/RCMP for example.
Study of human behaviour as it relates to the law or legal system
The Forensic Psychologist as a Legal Scholar-Fairly uncommon
Scholarly analyses of mental health law and psychologically legal movements/policy
analysis and legislative consultation- more informed about the legal process. Have a law
degree, have practiced law. Engage in scholarly analysis with the law and mental health.
The Relationship between Psychology and Law
According to Haney (1980), there are three primary ways in which psychology and the
law can relate to each other:
Psychology AND the Law- separate discipline of the law.
The use of psychology to examine the operation of the legal system. Analyzes various
components of the law from a psychological perspective. Psychologist looks at legal
system and is critical of what is already in place. Looks at assumptions made in legal
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
system that aren't in line with psychology. ex) are judges fair in the way they hand down
sentences.
Psychology IN the Law- look at the use of psychological knowledge within the legal
system.
The use of psychology in the legal system as that system operates. Used by people who
work within the legal system and use psychological knowledge. Police officers, lawyers
use this.
ex) police officers can use psychological knowledge during a criminal investigation to
determine if someone is lying to them.
Psychology OF the Law- less common.
The use of psychology to examine the law itself- use psychology to study the law. More
to look at the laws that are in place, such as the criminal code. Look at the knowledge
we have and to ask questions, looking at the future. Not doing research, or basing
research in psychology. More to ask questions, ex) what role should the police play in a
domestic dispute.
Some Influential Court Cases in the History of Forensic Psychology in Canada. 1 of
these cases will be on midterm*******
R stands for the Queen, or the Crown. R=Regina for Queen. Rex for King. 3 levels of
court in Canada= Trial Court, Appeal Court, Supreme Court
R v. Hubbert (1975) - impartiality of jurors. Ontario Court of Appeal. Jurors need to be
impartial.
R v. Sophonow (1986)- problems with eyewitness evidence collected by the
police.Manitoba Court of Appeal, murder conviction overturned verdict. How police
collected evidence.
R v. Lavallée (1990)- established guidelines for when and how expert testimony should
be used in cases involving battered women syndrome- physical and psychological
condition who has experienced physical and sexual abuse. This syndrome can be used
as “self defence”
R v. Levogiannis (1993)- children are allowed to testify in court behind screens that
prevent them from seeing the accused. Children are allowed to testify in court behind a
screen so they cannot see the perpetrator.
R v. Mohan (1994)- established formal criteria for determining when expert testimony
should be admitted into court- not everyone can be an expert in the field. Some scientific
research to validate the expert’s claims. Specific Criteria must be met for an expert to
testify.
R v. Oickle (2000)- established that police interrogation techniques, which consist of
various forms of psychological coercion, are acceptable and that confessions extracted
through their use can be admissible in court- some criteria must be met for confession to
be considered voluntary. If not voluntary, any confession is considered inadmissible in
court. In interrogation room for 6 hours without bathroom, water, may have said
confession to get out of situation.
Psychological Theories of Crime
1-Psychodynamic Theories
Internal dynamic forces (innate)
Try to explain criminal behaviour mainly through internal
forces and experiences/events from childhood
a) The role of the Superego (Blackburn, 1995;
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
Andrews, 2006) Superego not developed properly. ID) I want to steal the shoes.
Superego) Don't steal the shoes Ego) save money to buy the shoes.
Main source of criminal behaviour relates to inadequate formation of the
superego during childhood
Harsh superego (neurotic criminal)- leads to pathological levels unconscious
guilt, feeling guilty about everything. Super-ego not developed properly.
Weak superego- often the case with serial killers. Associated with psychopathic
traits. Superego is not strong enough to control the ID. Impulsive, don't
experience guilt, lack empathy.
Deviant superego-have developed standards with their superego. Parents in their
lives were deviant role models. Assume parental behaviour is normal, what you
consider a social norm. Mirror parents criminality, absence of guilt.
Psychological Theories of Crime Continued...
b) Bowlby’s Theory of Maternal Deprivation (1989)- how juvenile delinquency
develops
Any disruption of the mother-child relationship during early childhood may have harmful
and potentially irreversible long term effects, especially on the child’s ability to establish
meaningful prosocial relationships. Lacks ability to be social with peers. More likely to
develop antisocial behaviour. More likely to engage in criminal behaviour.
c) Hirschi’s Social Control Theory (1969)- bond the individual creates with society
will make them more likely or less likely to engage in deviant/criminal behaviour.
4 types of bond: Attachment, Commitment, Involvement, Belief. Taught to preach
conformity. When societal bond is broken, more likely to engage in criminal behaviour.
Attachment- interest in others. Developed when young. Interest in parents, friends, and
teachers.
Commitment- people have an investment in conventional pursuits. More likely to lose
this commitment with conventional pursuits if you engage in criminal behaviour.
Involvement- refers to the time and energy one spends taking part in activities that are in
like with the conventional interests of society. ex) engaging in sports.
Belief- how the person views society in general. Agrees with societal values. People
should obey the law if they have strong belief within society. If any of these are broken,
more likely to engage in criminal behaviour.
Psychological Theories of Crime
2-Learning Theories
Based on the principles of conditioning (learned) criminal behaviour is learned,
developed and maintained
Try to explain how criminal behaviour is developed and maintained
Classical conditioning- behaviour can be shaped with different stimulus.
Operant conditioning- positive and negative consequences associated with
crime.
Vicarious learning - from other people’s behaviour, how other people commit
criminal behaviour, how they are perceived, and learn about the consequences
or if they are glorified within society.
Psychological Theories of Crime
3- Personality Theories-
Personality profile (mix of innate and learned behaviours)
Existence of a criminal personality, specific personality traits and factors that
make them more likely to be or become a criminal
a) Eysenk’s Biosocial Theory of Crime (1977)
First testable theory of criminal behaviour proposed by a psychologist
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
Document Summary
General definition: a field of psychology that deals with all aspects of human behaviour as it relates to the law or legal system. Originated in the us, focuses on eyewitness testimony. Canada, the main operation of forensic psychology is in corrections. This is the definition we used in canada for. Any research endeavour that examines aspects of human behaviour directly related to the legal process, and the professional practice of psychology within, or in consultation with, a legal system that embraces both civil and criminal law (bartol and bartol). Assessment and treatment of mental health issues as they pertain to the law or legal system. Not limited to clinical work/practicing, may also do research. Wide variety of settings: schools, prisons, hospitals, etc. Forensic psychiatry, field of medicine that deals with all aspects of human behaviour as it relates to the law (medical doctor) vs forensic psychology. Both trained to treat people with mental health problems.
