Psych 546 - Forensic Psychology Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts, people, cases, and roles from the lecture notes on forensic psychology.

Forensic psychology

A subfield of psychology in which basic and applied psychological science or scientifically oriented professional practice is applied to the law to help resolve legal, contractual, or administrative matters; focuses on informing the legal decision when psychology is involved.

Pre-adjudication

The period before a legal decision is made, during which psychologists provide services (research, testimony, assessment, treatment) to inform the upcoming decision.

Forensic psychiatry

A medical subspecialty in which psychiatrists (MD/DO) apply psychiatric knowledge to legal issues; started earlier than psychology due to medicine's longer history.

Isaac Ray

19th-century American psychiatrist credited as founder of forensic psychiatry; first to publish on insanity and its relevance to legal decisions.

McNaughton rule (insanity)

Early legal test of insanity focusing on mental state at the time of the offense.

Jenkins v. United States (1962)

A case establishing that mental health professionals beyond psychiatrists can provide expert mental health opinions in legal cases.

David Bazelon

Influential judge who presided Jenkins v. United States and helped broaden who can provide mental health testimony in court.

AP-LS (Division 41)

American Psychological Association division dedicated to Psychology and Law; encompasses forensic psychology as part of a broader field.

Psychology and Law

Broad field examining how psychological concepts, methods, and findings inform legal processes and improve decision-making within the legal system.

Role: Research

Forensic psychologists conduct empirical studies to understand legal issues and inform policy and practice (e.g., risk factors, eyewitness issues, etc.).

Role: Assessment/Evaluation

Clinical evaluations conducted to inform legal decisions (e.g., competency to stand trial, insanity at time of offense, custody, civil cases).

Role: Treatment

Providing therapeutic interventions in forensic contexts to reduce risk or address mental health issues relevant to legal outcomes.

Role: Testimony

Giving expert testimony in court that interprets research findings for legal questions; distinguishes from general fact testimony.

Expert witness

A witness with specialized knowledge who provides opinion-based interpretation of evidence to aid the court.

Risk Reduction Research Lab

Dr. Skeem’s lab focused on identifying risk factors and reducing risk for people with serious mental illness to inform policy and practice.

Juvenile court evaluations

Forensic assessments conducted for youths involved in the justice system to assist decisions about interventions and disposition.

Civil cases: wrongful conviction

Civil forensic evaluations and litigation related to individuals who were wrongfully convicted and seek damages or corrective action.

Restoration to competency

Process of restoring a defendant’s competency to stand trial; typically six months, with possible extensions up to 15 months or 21 months; non-restorable cases may be dismissed or civilly committed.

Competency to stand trial

Legal determination that a defendant has the present ability to understand proceedings and assist counsel during trial.

Mental state at the time of offense (MSO)

Assessment of the defendant’s mental state at the time the offense occurred, related to insanity defenses.

Eyewitness identification research

Studies on how eyewitness identifications are influenced by conditions and procedures, including lineup methods and reliability.

Brown v. Board of Education (1954)

Supreme Court ruling that racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional, supported by psychologist Kenneth and Mamie Clark’s doll test and accompanying testimony.

Clark doll test (Kenneth & Mamie Clark)

Psychological study showing the negative effects of segregation on Black children's self-perception; cited in Brown v. Board of Education.

Henderson case (eyewitness identification)

New Jersey eyewitness identification case whose hearings and expert testimony influenced how identification procedures are evaluated and juror instructions.