Sexual Harassment, Employment Discrimination, and Expert Witness Testimony

A comprehensive set of flashcards covering terms related to sexual harassment, employment discrimination, and expert witness testimony, aimed at aiding students in understanding key concepts for their exam.

Sexual Harassment

Unwelcome sexual advances or requests for sexual favors that create a hostile work environment.

Quid Pro Quo

A form of sexual harassment where submission to sexual conduct is a condition of employment.

Hostile Work Environment

A work atmosphere where employees face pervasive unwanted sexual comments or conduct.

Plaintiff

The individual who brings a case against another in a court of law.

Defendant

An individual accused in a court of law.

Battered Women's Syndrome

A set of symptoms displayed by women who suffer ongoing abuse from a partner.

Intimate Partner Violence

Any violence occurring between intimate partners, regardless of their living situation.

Evaluator

A professional who assesses an individual’s psychological status or behavior.

Expert Testimony

A witness’s opinion in court based on their expertise to inform the judge or jury.

Organizational Climate

The shared perceptions of employees regarding policies and practices in the workplace.

Sex-based Discrimination

Unequal treatment in the workplace based on an individual's sex.

Credibility

The quality of being trusted and believed in; important in legal testimonies.

Psychological Impact

The emotional effects resulting from experiences, such as abuse or harassment.

Retaliation

Taking adverse action against someone for reporting misconduct or harassment.

Delaying Reporting

The tendency of victims to take time before reporting incidents of harassment.

External Validity

The extent to which the findings of a study can be generalized to real-world settings.

Cumulative Risk Factors

Factors that accumulate over time, increasing the likelihood of negative outcomes.

Dynamic Risk Factors

Risk factors that can change over time and influence an individual's behavior.

Static Risk Factors

Unchangeable risk factors often related to an individual's history.

Criminogenic Needs

Factors that are directly linked to a person's likelihood of offending.

Secrecy

Keeping information hidden, particularly in the context of abuse.

Entrapment

A state where individuals feel unable to escape from an abusive situation.

Expert Witness Selection

The process of choosing a qualified individual to testify based on specific expertise.

Transparency

The practice of being open and honest about one's methods and findings.

Social Learning Theory

A theory that explains behavior through observation and mimicry.

Actuarial Tools

Standardized instruments used to assess risk for reoffending.

Self-Defense

A legal defense justifying harmful actions taken to protect oneself from harm.

Psychopathy Checklist Revised (PCL-R)

A psychological assessment tool used to measure psychopathy in individuals.

Adverse Impact

Negative consequences that affect individuals due to discriminatory practices.

Frye Test

A standard used to determine the admissibility of expert witnesses' testimony.

Daubert Standard

Criteria used to evaluate the admissibility of expert witness testimony based on scientific validity.

Mitigating Factors

Circumstances that may lessen the severity of a sentence or judgment.

Aggravating Factors

Circumstances that increase the severity of a sentence or judgment.

Disclosure Patterns

The ways individuals report or reveal information about abuse or misconduct.

Recidivism

The tendency of a convicted criminal to reoffend.

Psychological Evaluation

The process of assessing an individual's mental health and behavior.

Stereotyping

Oversimplified and generalized beliefs about a group, often leading to discrimination.

Intersectionality

The interconnected nature of social categorizations such as race, gender, and class.

Liability

Legal responsibility for one's actions or inactions, particularly in employment contexts.

Harassment Policies

Organizational guidelines to prevent and address instances of harassment.

Victim Blaming

The act of holding victims responsible for the abuse they suffered.

Empirical Research

Research based on observed and measured phenomena, not solely on theory.

Historical Risk Factors

Past events that can influence an individual's current risk level.

Gender Composition

The ratio of males to females in a specific environment or group.

Child Sexual Abuse Accommodation Syndrome (CSAAS)

A theory explaining behaviors of child victims of sexual abuse, including secrecy and delayed disclosure.

Power Differential

The imbalance of power between two parties, impacting interactions.

Defensive Medicine

Medical practice aimed at avoiding litigation rather than optimizing patient care.

Victim Advocacy

Promoting the rights and interests of victims of crime.

Cultural Competence

The ability to understand and respect diverse cultural backgrounds.

Clinical Judgment

The assessment and decision-making process in healthcare settings.

Bifurcated Proceedings

Two separate phases in capital trials: one for guilt and one for sentencing.

Ecological Systems Theory

A framework for understanding individuals' development within social contexts.

Recantation

Withdrawal of a previously made statement or allegation.

Proportionality Principle

Legal principle requiring that punishment or response must match the offense.

Objectives of Expert Testimony

To inform the court and help jurors understand complex issues.

Juror Instructions

Guidance provided to jurors on how to interpret and evaluate evidence.

Expert Witness Bias

Influence on an expert's opinion based on the side that retains them.

Testimony Validity

The credibility and reliability of an expert witness's statement in court.

Environmental Factors

External influences that affect an individual's behavior or situation.

Professional Standards

Ethical and operational guidelines regulating a profession.

Risk Management

Strategies to minimize potential risks and liabilities.

Mental Health Disorders

Psychological conditions that affect an individual’s thinking, feeling, or behavior.

Non-English Speakers

Individuals who do not communicate in English, often facing additional barriers.

Adverse Selection

A process by which undesired results occur when dealing with risky individuals.

Forensic Psychology

The application of psychological principles to legal issues.

Code of Conduct

A set of rules outlining the responsibilities of individuals within a profession.

Consultation

The act of seeking advice or information from experts.

Compassionate Release

The legal release of incarcerated individuals due to extraordinary circumstances.

Restorative Justice

An approach to justice focused on repairing the harm caused by criminal behavior.

Victim Rights

Legal rights afforded to individuals who have suffered harm due to crime.

Testimony Effectiveness

The degree to which expert testimony influences jury decisions.

Behavioral Strategies

Approaches to managing or changing an individual's behavior.

Community Context

The social, cultural, and economic environment surrounding individuals.

Crisis Intervention

Immediate assistance provided to individuals in psychological distress.

Recidivism Rates

Statistics indicating the frequency of reoffending among individuals.

Social Framework Evidence

Testimony that provides background on social science relevant to the case.

Cognitive Bias

Systematic patterns of deviation from norm or rationality in judgment.

Blind Appointments

Selection process for experts that minimizes conflict of interest.

Disclosure Delays

The time taken for victims to report incidents of abuse or harassment.

Victims' Rights Movement

Advocacy for legal protections and recognition of crime victims.

Bias Minimization Strategies

Techniques aimed at reducing bias in decision-making processes.

Professional Ethics

Moral principles guiding behavior within a profession.

Intervention Strategies

Plans devised to address specific issues in a proactive manner.

Judicial Notice

A legal doctrine allowing courts to accept certain facts as universally known.

Community Resources

Services and support systems available within a community.

Mitigation Evidence

Information presented to lessen the severity of a sentence.

Deep Poverty

An extreme level of poverty affecting individuals and families.

Unconscious Bias

Attitudes or stereotypes that affect understanding and decision-making unconsciously.

Disparity in Sentencing

Differences in the severity of sentences imposed for similar crimes.

Criminogenic Risks Assessment

Evaluation of factors that increase the likelihood of reoffending.

Educational Inequality

The unequal distribution of academic resources and opportunities.

Employment Rights

Legal protections granted to workers in the workplace.

Judicial Evaluation

The assessment performed by judges regarding the legality of actions or evidence.

Mental Health Advocacy

Promotion of policies and practices supporting mental health initiatives.

Substance Use Disorders

Conditions characterized by an individual's inability to control their use of substances.

Victim Support Services

Programs designed to assist victims in navigating legal and emotional challenges.

Community Engagement

Involvement and participation of individuals in community initiatives.

Cultural Norms

Shared standards and patterns that guide behavior within a society.

Controversial Cases

Legal disputes characterized by significant public attention or debate.

Gender Roles

Societal norms dictating the behaviors considered appropriate for men and women.