PSYC 379 Study Guide - Final Guide: Mental Disorder, Nomothetic, Executive Functions

• School: Simon Fraser University
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSYC 379
• Professor: Sarah Mordell

Document Summary

1. compare and contrast competence to stand trial and criminal responsibility in terms of criteria and facets of assessment. The legal standards of competency to stand trial based on canadian law. Section 2, a person is unfit to stand trial when she/he suffer mental disorder that prevents him/her conducting defense or instructing counsel to do so. Inability to understand the nature or object of proceeding or possible consequences and ability to counsel. Based on r. v. whittle (1994) further clarifies not only analytical ability, but rather a mental capacity of operating mind. Must understand the functions of consult; must be able to communicate. The assessment must establish the presence of a mental disorder, evaluate the relevant functional abilities and deficits, determine the causal connections between the disorder and deficits, specify how the deficits may impact functioning at trial. Two tools used to for competence assessments are macarthur competence. Macarthur competence assessment is nomothetic, based on generalized normative information.