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abnormal.lecture15.2025

Adult Psychopathology

  • Presented by Dr. Simon B. Sherry, a professor at Dalhousie University and psychologist at CRUX Psychology.

Social Media and Online Presence

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    • Psychology Today: Psymon Says

    • The Conversation: Dr. Simon Sherry

    • Website: cruxpsychology.ca/news/

Chapter 17: Mental Health and the Law

  • Key Topics Covered:

    • Civil Commitment

    • Criminal Commitment

    • Ethics and Treatment of Mental Illness

    • Clinical Practice Guidelines

    • Conclusions

Interaction Between Mental Health and Legal Systems

  • Clinical scientists and practitioners operate within societal institutions.

  • “Forensic psychology” is the intersection of mental health and the legal system.

Assessing Responsibility in Criminal Cases

  • Courts evaluate defendants' responsibility in crimes, influenced by mental health professionals.

  • Mental instability can affect the capacity to defend oneself.

Criminal Commitment Process

  • Criminal commitment happens when:

    • Individuals are found not guilty by reason of insanity (NGRI)

    • Individuals are committed until competent to stand trial.

  • Issues surrounding mental instability are complex and contentious.

Multicultural Issues in Forensic Psychology

  • Racial minority groups are disproportionately sent to prison rather than mental health facilities.

  • Variations seen in evaluations for competency to stand trial across different racial groups in New York State.

Criminal Commitment Details

  • Criminal commitment holds individuals accused of crimes but deemed mentally unstable in care.

  • Issues around battered woman syndrome and responsibility are also considered.

The Insanity Defense

  • Legal standards: M’Naghten rule, NGRI, NCRMD (Not Criminally Responsible on account of Mental Disorder).

  • Recent terminology changes from 'insanity' to 'mental disorder.'

Case Example: Vince Li

  • Successfully used the NCRMD defense due to paranoid schizophrenia during his trial for murder.

Reactions to Insanity Defense

  • Importance of balancing legal concerns and the rights of the mentally ill.

  • Statistics show high rates of severe mental illness among those acquitted due to insanity.

Misunderstanding of the Insanity Defense

  • Public misperceptions regarding its frequency and outcomes are prevalent.

Repeat Offenders and Treatment Approaches

  • Issues surrounding sexual predators and their categorization; some states introduced laws for preemptive incarceration.

Fitness to Stand Trial

  • Understanding charges is vital for defendants to assist in their defense.

  • If unfit, defendants may be conditionally discharged or detained.

Civil Commitment Process

  • Civil commitment legally allows for forced mental health treatment under certain conditions.

  • Ethical dilemma between individual rights and societal protection.

Criteria for Civil Commitment

  • Commitment requires:

    • The presence of a mental disorder.

    • Endangerment to self or others.

    • The need for treatment.

Definition and Assessment of Dangerousness

  • Historically, mental illness was linked to non-violent behavior, but post-deinstitutionalization data suggest a connection to violence exists.

Rights of Patients

  • Courts have ruled on rights concerning treatment and conditions of confinement.

  • Recent protections for patients include the right to minimally restrictive treatment and aftercare upon release.

Mental Health and Legal Professionals

  • Interactions occur in malpractice suits, jury selection, and legal assessments of psychology research relevance.

Eyewitness Testimony

  • Highly influential but often unreliable in court settings.

  • Important investigations track the accuracy of eyewitness accounts and their influences.

Ethical Considerations

  • Psychologists must avoid dual relationships and harm, maintaining professional boundaries and competencies.

  • Confidentiality is mandated, except under conditions of risk to self or others or legal requirements.

Public Perception vs. Reality of Mental Health Issues

  • Surveys reveal discrepancies between public beliefs about mental health treatments and their actual statistics.