Explore BrainMass

Explore BrainMass

    Abnormal Psychology

    BrainMass Solutions Available for Instant Download

    On the Daubert Standard

    Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals was a landmark case for forensic psychology professionals as it deviated from the Frye test, which is used as the threshold for judging the reliability of scientific evidence and expert witness credibility. As a result of the Daubert standard, many courts now incorporate language such as Is

    Mental Illness Case: Preparing as an Expert

    The majority of testimony delivered in courts by forensic psychology professionals is related to psychological evaluation data. Ultimately, any testimony that forensic psychology professionals give will be driven by the procedures they choose to employ from the beginning of the case, from the time the referral question is receiv

    Forensic Psychology Specializations

    Examine areas of forensic psychology consultation within the courts and how these affect the outcomes of trials. By now it should be apparent that one of the key aspects of consultation is expertise in the area of focus with which the forensic psychology professional is assisting. Your focus should be on one area of interest to

    Forensic Psychology Areas of Consultancy

    There are many areas in which a forensic psychology professional can consult with the courts. Areas in which consultants provide valuable insight include, but are not limited to, battered woman's syndrome, eyewitness testimony, hostage negotiation, and interviewing or interrogation techniques. Although the verdict does not rest

    Reflections on Police-Induced Confessions

    The term consultation is vague and can apply to a wide array of activities. Yet, in focusing specifically on the legal system and the field of forensic psychology, the express term forensic psychology consultation is often used to define the consultation that occurs within and between these two fields. The forensic psychology pr

    Psychological Evaluations in Juvenile Justice

    Criminal courts ordinarily handle adults accused of felony crimes. At times, criminal courts will manage cases involving juveniles but only when they have been remanded out of juvenile court. Criminal courts often rely on psychological evaluations to determine a number of different competencies of the accused. The potential appl

    Incorrect Psychological Evaluations: Cultural Bias & Interpretations

    No one would argue the seriousness and importance of properly conducting forensic psychological evaluations and using appropriate evaluation methods when working with the courts. For instance, in civil trials, money is often at stake. In juvenile courts, the potential rehabilitation of the accused, which will in turn affect the

    Forensic Evaluations in Civil Court

    There are various types of forensic psychology evaluations that are helpful in issues germane to the civil courts. Some issues relevant to civil court proceedings include child custody issues, issues assessed by independent medical examinations (IMEs), competency issues of all types (i.e., competency to handle one's financial af

    Doing Forensic Psychology Evaluations - preparation points

    As a forensic psychology professional, you will most likely work within civil courts at some point; therefore, you must understand how to plan a prior (or, prior to) when conducting a forensic psychology evaluation. There are many methods for planning and conducting forensic psychology evaluations. However, certain steps are imp

    Psychological Evaluation Report Exercise

    Given that documentation is an important skill for a forensic psychology professional working within the courts, you will be asked to write a report for this week's Application Assignment. To complete this assignment, you will extract the factual material presented in the "Case Study Facts: Week 4" handout, provided in this week

    Functions of Forensic Psychology Reports

    Aside from professionalism, there are many reasons why accurate documentation is important when working in a court setting. For example, consider the forensic psychology report that is generated after conducting a forensic psychological evaluation. Most of the time, this report will be your only chance to explain your opinions t

    Forensic Psychology Practice: Roles in the Court System

    The United States judicial system is composed of various elements. Its structure contains elements that are of both a federal and state nature. For instance, there are courts that fall under each of these categories that include trial courts at the state level, district courts at the federal level, and appeals and supreme courts

    Communication Strategies and Effective Testimonies

    Effective testimony should impart accurate and unbiased information to the trier of fact (either a judge or jury) in a manner that can be readily understood. At times, this may include not only what is said, but how it is said. Both verbal and nonverbal communication is integral in the courtroom and must be effective in order to

    Effective & Ineffective Courtroom Communication

    Some would argue that there is no more important place for effective communication—especially when a forensic psychology professional is involved—than when in the courtroom and on the witness stand. Indeed, what is communicated within the courtroom could lead to life and death decisions. The concept of communication in the c

    Legal Definitions and the Courts: Insanity Defense

    In many ways, the legal definitions used by forensic psychology professionals are a reminder that the court system exists separate from the field of forensic psychology. Although the general public may use the term insanity to denote abnormal psychological functioning, it is actually not a psychological term but, instead, a lega

    Forensic Psychology Ethics Issues

    The legal system and field of psychology share many of the same ethical principles and guidelines. That being said, psychological ethics can sometimes be foreign or even misconstrued with ethical principles used by professionals who work in the courts. It is helpful to keep in mind that as a forensic psychology professional work

    The Impact of Forensic Psychology in the Courts

    The field of forensic psychology has evolved in part to fulfill the increasing need for expert knowledge and opinions in the judicial system (the courts). Throughout its evolution, there have been various events and cases that have shaped and impacted forensic psychology's role and influence in the courts. Some events have great

    Annotated Bibliography in APA format

    Prepare an annotated bibliography in APA format with 5 to 7 sources from your research in preparation for providing testimony below: My research information is below: The system for the mentally ill consists of a health care system that often does not see its "patients" as consumers. In a system where the mentally ill are a

    Suicide Prevention Program Implementation Issue

    Within a correctional institution all mental health services including suicide prevention services are built on three legs. Institutions get themselves in trouble when they ignore or forget one of the legs. The legs being 1.assessment of lethality.2. classification of risk and development of a treatment plan 3. communication of

    Preventing Prison Suicides

    In every forensic treatment setting, the forensic psychology professional must be aware of the role that suicide prevention plays in the larger system inside and outside forensic institutions. Both incarcerated offenders and individuals awaiting sentencing pose potential suicide risks. In addition, offenders on probation or paro

    Challenges in Treating Mentally Ill Offenders

    In the study of forensic psychology, emphasis typically is placed on the individuals being served and their specific traits relevant to treatment. Forensic psychology professionals in forensic treatment settings must be familiar with symptoms of the myriad mental illnesses described in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Me

    Paranoid Schizophrenia Case Review

    The treatment of forensic populations, as with any clinical population, must be tailored to the individuals as well as to their mental illness. There are specific treatment protocols for particular mental illnesses that need to be paired with individuals based on the unique traits of the individuals, and augmented with particula

    Youth Gangs: Chicago

    Class in Chicago it is well known that adult gang members recruit juvenile to commit crimes and tell then that if they are apprehended their sentence will be less harsh that an adults even in the case of murder. The juveniles are very vulnerable to this influence. Some do commit murder. Any thoughts?

    Bernie Madoff: Lone Wolf Fraudster

    Class Bernie Madolph and his 50 million dollar ponzi scheme is a perfect example of a white collar criminal. What profile type does he appear to fit into?

    Case Study: Classroom Control for Teachers

    You have been asked to consult with a classroom in a day treatment facility for children and teens who are receiving treatment for psychiatric issues. Nearly half of the students also have a learning disability diagnosis or an identified developmental delay. This week, you pick the age of the class you will be working in. After

    Role of Family in Juvenile Delinquency Treatment Programs

    Children often are defined by the relationships they have with others—they are sons, daughters, cousins, grandchildren, students, or wards. These relationships are dynamic, and as children age they establish their identity and individuality independent of others. At the same time, children typically rely on others for guidance

    Juvenile vs. Adult Offender Treatment Approaches

    Theorists such as Jean Piaget and Erik Erikson have documented the psychological skills and psychosocial needs of juveniles as being different from those of adults. Studies in developmental and child psychology reveal that there are significant differences between children and adults in terms of treatment processes and that chil

    White Collar Offender - about, treatment, outcome

    White-collar crime is not a new type of offense, though advances in technology have altered the scope and appearance of the crimes in this category. For example, in the past, credit card theft was accomplished by stealing the actual card or compromising the card by obtaining carbon copies of credit transactions. In addition, a l