Psych vs. Criminal Justice System

forensic psychology

interaction between psych + the law

psychologist training

1. subjectivity - can have opinions
2. analytic - considers viewpoints
3. many possibilities - not always a clear answer

lawyer training

1. objectivity - guilty/not guilty
2. just the facts - no opinion
3. direct Q&A - clear answers

Do psychologist make the final decisions for the courts?

No

psychologist attitude

empathy, trying to help, paternalistic

lawyer attitude

right/wrong, detached interest, upholds constitution

Is psych evidence as good as other sciences?

has started to fall behind advanced tech - DNA, fingerprinting, ballistics, entomologist

low inter-rater reliability

extent to which 2 experts agree
- ex. psychology > disorders don't necessarily cause crime, diff tests

nomothetic

science derived from comparisons

Daubert Standard 1994

judge is the gatekeeper of the courtroom, and its their responsibility to assess the admissibility of expert testimony

voidier process

run "background" on alleged expert

Why is the legal system based on free will?

argues ppl behave from their own free will, w/o free will who is to blame

What is the continuum model for sentencing?

determinism (defense) --- free will (prosecution)
- how much free will was truly involved in the crime?

Why is the mental health field based on determinism?

argues there is a reason why ppl do something, backs up importance of diagnoses