The Ethical Practice of Forensic Psychology: Vocabulary Flashcards – Identifying the Forensic Psychologist Role

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts from the lecture notes on forensic psychology, with emphasis on role definitions, ethics, and objectivity.

Forensic psychology ( broad definition)

The professional practice by any psychologist applying psychology to the law to address legal, contractual, and administrative matters; defined by the service provided in the case, not the psychologist’s title or subdiscipline.

Forensic psychology (narrow definition)

A more clinical-focused view that emphasizes mainly clinical applications of psychology to the law within forensic contexts.

Specialty Guidelines for Forensic Psychology (SGFP)

APA guidelines that provide guidelines tailored to forensic practice and complement the general Ethics Code; define service-based practice in legal contexts.

Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct (EPPCC)

APA’s overarching code governing professional conduct, including standards on competence, confidentiality, informed consent, and multiple relationships.

Forensic practitioner (APA 2013 definition)

Any psychologist practicing forensic psychology regardless of subdiscipline, defined by the service provided in a case rather than by their primary specialty.

Dual-role conflict

Ethical tensions when a psychologist serves in more than one role (e.g., therapist and forensic evaluator) within the same case.

Therapeutic vs forensic roles

Therapy aims to treat impairment; forensic work aims to provide information or testimony for legal decision-making; separation of roles is advised.

Boundaries of competence (EPPCC 2.01)

Psychologists must provide services only within the boundaries of their competence, seeking education and supervision for new areas.

Scope of competence (SGFP 2.01)

A forensic practitioner considers complexity, training, preparation, and consultation opportunities when determining competence to provide services.

Forensic therapeutic services

Therapeutic services provided in a forensic context; can be considered forensic if designed to impact psycholegal issues; guidelines allow some forensic treatment.

Forensic identification (adversarial allegiance)

The tendency for evaluators to adopt the viewpoint of the retaining adversarial party, compromising objectivity.

Adversarial allegiance effect

Experimental finding that evaluators’ opinions or scores can be biased toward the side retaining them (defense or prosecution).

Objectivity in forensic practice

The commitment to accuracy, honesty, fairness, and impartiality in forensic work, despite adversarial pressures.

Task-irrelevant information

Contextual information unrelated to the psycholegal issue that can bias evaluations; strategies exist to mitigate bias.

Context management / Linear Sequential Unmasking (LSU)

A bias-reduction approach that sequences information exposure to minimize cognitive bias in forensic decision-making.

Confidentiality limits

Psychologists must discuss limits of confidentiality and disclose appropriately; differences exist between therapeutic and forensic contexts.

Therapist-patient privilege

Confidential communications within therapy protected in many jurisdictions; disclosure rights typically lie with the patient.

Attorney-client privilege (and work-product)

Legal privilege governing communications and materials between a client and attorney; in forensic contexts the attorney often holds the privilege.

Informed consent vs assent (forensic context)

In noncourt contexts, obtain informed consent; in court-ordered contexts, assent may be used; SGFP outlines conditions for both.

Knowledge of the legal system

Forensic practitioners should understand legal processes, rights, and the impact of the legal context on psychological services.

Estelle v. Smith (1981)

US Supreme Court ruling recognizing defendants’ right to be informed about the nature and purpose of pretrial mental health examinations.

Jaffee v. Redmond (1996)

US Supreme Court ruling recognizing the psychotherapist-patient privilege and its protection in many contexts.

Jenkins v. United States (1962)

Early case contributing to the recognition of psychologists as admissible expert witnesses on mental illness.

Integrity and impartiality (SGFP 1.01, 1.02)

SGFP standards requiring forensic practitioners to strive for accuracy, fairness, independence, and to resist partisan pressures.

Accuracy and avoidance of deception (SGFP 11.01, 11.04)

Guidelines requiring comprehensive, precise, and truthful presentation of opinions in reports and testimony.