Forensic Exam 2 (Ch. 5)

Identify the nature of violence

-Defining violence  

• Actual, attempted or threatened physical harm that is deliberate and non- consenting 

-Violence is a choice  

• The proximate cause of violence is a decision to act violently  

• The decision is influenced by a host of biological, psychological and social factors 

  • Neurological damage, hormonal abnormality, psychosis, personality disorder, exposure to violent models, attitudes that condone violence 

Describe the controversy over psychologists' ability to predict violence or assess the risk of it

Describe the historical development of risk assessment

-O'Connor v Donaldson (1975)- cannot commit unless imminent risk of violence (ie there is dangerousness) 

-Barefoot v Estelle (1983) 

• Apa amicus curiae brief stated that predictions were unreliable and incorrect  

• Court ruled testimony admissible and expressed faith in the adversarial process  

-other influential supreme court decisions  

• Schall v Martin (1984)-- preventive detention allowable if person at serious risk of future criminal conduct  

• Kanas v various other (1997, 2002)-- affirmed constitutionality of sexual predator laws—dangerousness can determine commitment  

-Tarasoff v regents of the university of California (1976) 

• Clinicians have a duty to warn if there is a specific target and thus must assess future risk 

Differentiate between static and dynamic risk factors and protective factors

-Static factors  

• Historical in nature  

• Variables that are unlikely to change and are often fixed 

  • History of past violence  

  • Young age 

  • Psychopathy  

  • Hx of employment instability  

  • Major mental disorder  

 

-Dynamic factors  

• Clinical in nature  

• Variables subject to change  

  • Lack of insight  

  • Negative attitudes  

  • Psychiatric symptoms  

  • Behavioral and affective instability  

  • Unresponsiveness to treatment  

Differentiate between risk assessment and risk management

Describe the court cases that inform violence risk assessment and management.  

Describe the five facets of violence risk assessment.

Differentiate between clinical, actuarial, and structured professional judgment approaches to risk assessment.

Describe some criticisms of actuarial violence risk assessments.

Identify difficulties in violence risk assessment and when psychologists do it best.

Describe how psychologists communicate violence risk.

Describe historical developments related to the interface between psychology and the law

Cite and discuss research pertaining to psychological assessment and intervention in the criminal and civil justice systems

Articulate and discuss methods and procedures used by forensic psychologists involved with the criminal and civil justice systems