psych weeks 1-5

 define the term forensic science

the use of scientific methods to investigate crimes and analyse evidence, to be used in circumstances of the law.

Define the term rigor mortis

the stiffening of muscles after death

Define the term algor mortis

the cooling of the body after death

Define facial recognition

the technology used to identify individuals by analysing their facial features

key developments in the history of Forensic Science?

•  use of fingerprints by Arabic merchants  from AD 600, and in the 1800s by Scotland Yard in the UK

• use of autopsy to determine cause of death (eg Julius Caesar and knife wounds)

• development of tests for poison, such as arsenic, in body tissues and hair

• development of ballistic techniques: identifying guns and bullets from unique markings

• use of "lie detection" polygraph machines (no  longer considered reliable)

• use of blood types (A, B, O, AB) to rule out blood matches

• use of DNA to identify individuals – DNA profiles also called  DNA "fingerprints"

• use of dental records to identify deceased individuals (forensic odontology)

• use of insect larvae to identify time elapsed since death (forensic Entomology)

subspecialities in forensic science?

• Crime scene investigation including blood spatter and weapon trajectory

•  fingerprints

• autopsy - pathology

• Toxicology (tests for poison)

•  ballistics

• Forensic chemistry - chemical residue testing (eg for paint, explosives, drugs)

• Forensic biology:  blood types (A, B, O, AB) and DNA profiles

• Use of DNA to identify individuals –  also called  DNA "fingerprints" 

• forensic odontology and anthropology (dental evidence, skeletal identification and reconstruction)

• forensic entomology

• Document analysis

• Digital forensics (examination of computers and mobile phones to determine location, contacts, internet search history, messaging & posts, etc)

Define Libertarian Free Will

the philosophical viewpoint that human actions can be truly free

Define ‘Hard determinism’

the philosophical viewpoint that all events are caused by past events, and so are inevitable

Outline evidence from Libet’s experiment

•  the unconscious brain activity begins hundreds of milliseconds before a person feels a conscious awareness of their decision to move

  • suggesting that the brain initiates movement rather than conscious free will

• Subconscious neural processes start roughly 500 milliseconds prior to an action while the conscious intent only starts roughly 150 – 200 milliseconds before the action is conducted

major principle of trolley prbolem

consequentialism, which can be referred to as the idea that the morality of an action depends entirely on which one has the best outcome, and deontology, the idea that there are moral absolutes that cannot be broken no matter the consequence.

effect of oxytocin on a person's actions toward others

promoting social bonding, trust, and empathy

effect of the amygdala on memory

increases and strengthens long term memory, especially in relation to traumatic evemts

 examples of the effect of damage to the amygdala on a person's actions

lack of fear response - S.M.

effect of testosterone on the actions of individuals in a group (the 'rugby experiment')

drives aggression, goal-driven ness idk

 evidence to show that humans are born with a preference to help others

babies puppet experimen

Define psychopath

a personality style marked by a lack of empathy, a lack of remorse, and a tendency to break social rules

State what the ‘Warrior gene’ refers to

MAOA, a gene present in psyocaptjhs

define nature

what we think of as pre-wiring and is influenced by genetic inheritance and other biological factors.

define nurture

the influence of external factors after conception, e.g., the product of exposure, life experiences and learning on an individual.