Chapter 1-5 Notes: Introduction to Forensic Psychology

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts from the lecture notes on introductory forensic psychology.

Forensic psychology

Subfield of psychology that applies psychological science or professional practice to law to help resolve legal matters.

Pre-adjudication

Phase before a legal decision is made; forensic psychologists inform the court through research, testimony, assessment, or treatment.

Forensic psychiatry

Medical specialty where psychiatrists apply psychiatry to legal issues; predates forensic psychology.

MD/DO

Medical degrees (MD or DO) needed for physicians, including psychiatrists.

PhD in Clinical Psychology

Graduate degree path in psychology with clinical training; may specialize in forensics during or after graduate study.

PsyD

Doctor of Psychology; practice-focused degree that can specialize in forensic psychology.

Isaac Ray

19th-century American psychiatrist often regarded as the founder of forensic psychiatry; influential on insanity concepts in law.

Insanity (legal test)

Legal standard to determine criminal responsibility based on mental state at the time of the offense.

M'Naghten Rule

1843 insanity standard; defendant must not know right from wrong or must be unable to understand the nature of the act.

Daniel McNaughton

Case that led to the M'Naghten Rule establishing the modern insanity standard.

David Bazelon

Influential U.S. judge who supported broader use of mental health testimony in court; helped shift opinions about who can testify.

Jenkins v. United States (1962)

Case ruling that mental health professionals besides psychiatrists may testify on mental‑health questions in legal cases.

AP-LS

Division 41 of the American Psychological Association; Psychology and Law section with resources on forensic topics.

Expert witness

Witness who provides opinion based on specialized knowledge beyond common experience.

Fact witness

Witness who testifies about facts of the case, not about expert opinions.

Competency to stand trial

Defendant's mental ability to understand proceedings and participate in their defense.

Mental state at the time of offense

Defendant’s mental condition during the crime, used in insanity determinations.

Restoring competency

Process of treating and restoring a defendant to competency; can involve time limits and potential extensions.

Civil commitment

Legal process to detain individuals with mental illness who pose a risk or are not restorable within a criminal context.

Eyewitness identification

Process of identifying a suspect by a witness; subject to biases and studied through lineup procedures.

False confessions

Confessions that are coerced or mistaken; a significant concern in forensic cases and research.

Brown v. Board of Education

1954 Supreme Court case ruling school segregation unconstitutional; relied on psychological research (Clark dolls) cited in the decision.

Doll test

Research method using dolls to study children's racial perceptions; influential in Brown v. Board of Education.

Juvenile justice

System and policy framework for youths in the legal system, including risk assessment and developmental considerations.

Custody evaluations

Civil assessments to determine parenting capacity and custody arrangements in divorce cases.

Interparental conflict

Conflict between parents and its effects on children’s mental health; a focus in forensic contexts.

Risk Reduction Research Lab

Dr. Skeem’s lab focused on identifying and reducing risk factors (e.g., violence, self-harm) in populations with mental health issues.

Eyewitness instructions

Judicial guidance to jurors about eyewitness identification reliability and procedures, influenced by case research.