Forensic Psychology Exam Review Questions
Solved Correctly to Pass
What are the Similarities and differences between psychology and the law? - Answer - commonly use
similar terms, however often intend different meanings
- They are both concerned with predicting, explaining and controlling behaviour
- law is based on assumptions about human nature and the manner in which human behaviour is
determined
- while both psychology and law accept that human behaviour is not random, law relies on assumptions
about human behaviour and psychology tries to understand and predict behaviour
Describe the Role of a Forensic Psychologist - Answer - forensic psychology is psychology applied to the
work of the courts
- it is the branch of psychology that interfaces with the legal and justice systems (APA definition)
- the clinical practice of psychology within a legal system that embraces both civil and criminal law
Describe psychological perspectives of offending behaviour - Answer - It has a group and individual level
focus
- sees offending as a type of behaviour
- knowledge of antisocial behaviour informs the study of crime
- interaction between individual and environment
What is the role of the interaction between individual and environment - Answer - given the same
environment, some people will be more likely to commit offences that others, and conversely the same
person will be more likely to commit offences in some environments than others
-the individual has a level of degree of criminal/antisocial tendencies and the environment provides the
opportunity
What make a good theory? - Answer - Based on observation
- attempts to categorize, describe or explain
- organizes similar ideas and explanations
- explains why or how an event of phenomena occurs
, Compare and Contrast theories of crime - Answer Differential Association Theory (Edwin Sutherland)
- states that people learn to engage in crime. This learning results from interactions from others and
often occurs in small intimate groups. People learn criminal techniques, motives, attitudes and
rationalizations, and also learn to de-value conventional values and morals. Differences in association
with criminals and non-criminals varies in duration, intensity, frequency and priority.
- essentially criminal behaviour is learnt as anything else is. It is a response to the same cultural needs
and values as non-criminal behaviour
Agnew General Strain Theory
- conceptualizes how people respond to 'strain'. Strain causes negative feelings (e.g. fear, despair,
defeat). Because of this people become angry and blame their circumstances on others. This anger leads
to lowered inhibitions and creates a desire for revenge.
- essentially those who are subjected to repeated 'strain' are more likely to be antisocial and/or commit
crimes
- anger is used to justify criminal and/or antisocial activities
- Increase in strain = increase in anger = increase in crime
- coping strategies can stop people under 'strain' becoming delinquent
Social Learning Theory (Albert Bandura)
- premise is simple - all behaviour, including criminal behaviour is learned
- use of positive and negative reinforcement
- role of both social and individual factors
Early Criminological Theory (Lombroso)
- influenced by Darwinism
- criminals are born not made (atavism) --> started after an autopsy of a convict --> identified several
common physical characteristics between criminals --> introduced idea of commonality and behavioral
determinism in criminals
- made a checklist of physical features that were quantifiable by measurement to determine criminals
e.g. small slopping forehead, large protruding ears, high
Explain Criminogenic needs - Answer Definition of criminogenic: causing or likely to cause criminal
behaviour (the factors that influence criminal behaviour)
Criminogenic needs
- Pro-criminal attitudes
Solved Correctly to Pass
What are the Similarities and differences between psychology and the law? - Answer - commonly use
similar terms, however often intend different meanings
- They are both concerned with predicting, explaining and controlling behaviour
- law is based on assumptions about human nature and the manner in which human behaviour is
determined
- while both psychology and law accept that human behaviour is not random, law relies on assumptions
about human behaviour and psychology tries to understand and predict behaviour
Describe the Role of a Forensic Psychologist - Answer - forensic psychology is psychology applied to the
work of the courts
- it is the branch of psychology that interfaces with the legal and justice systems (APA definition)
- the clinical practice of psychology within a legal system that embraces both civil and criminal law
Describe psychological perspectives of offending behaviour - Answer - It has a group and individual level
focus
- sees offending as a type of behaviour
- knowledge of antisocial behaviour informs the study of crime
- interaction between individual and environment
What is the role of the interaction between individual and environment - Answer - given the same
environment, some people will be more likely to commit offences that others, and conversely the same
person will be more likely to commit offences in some environments than others
-the individual has a level of degree of criminal/antisocial tendencies and the environment provides the
opportunity
What make a good theory? - Answer - Based on observation
- attempts to categorize, describe or explain
- organizes similar ideas and explanations
- explains why or how an event of phenomena occurs
, Compare and Contrast theories of crime - Answer Differential Association Theory (Edwin Sutherland)
- states that people learn to engage in crime. This learning results from interactions from others and
often occurs in small intimate groups. People learn criminal techniques, motives, attitudes and
rationalizations, and also learn to de-value conventional values and morals. Differences in association
with criminals and non-criminals varies in duration, intensity, frequency and priority.
- essentially criminal behaviour is learnt as anything else is. It is a response to the same cultural needs
and values as non-criminal behaviour
Agnew General Strain Theory
- conceptualizes how people respond to 'strain'. Strain causes negative feelings (e.g. fear, despair,
defeat). Because of this people become angry and blame their circumstances on others. This anger leads
to lowered inhibitions and creates a desire for revenge.
- essentially those who are subjected to repeated 'strain' are more likely to be antisocial and/or commit
crimes
- anger is used to justify criminal and/or antisocial activities
- Increase in strain = increase in anger = increase in crime
- coping strategies can stop people under 'strain' becoming delinquent
Social Learning Theory (Albert Bandura)
- premise is simple - all behaviour, including criminal behaviour is learned
- use of positive and negative reinforcement
- role of both social and individual factors
Early Criminological Theory (Lombroso)
- influenced by Darwinism
- criminals are born not made (atavism) --> started after an autopsy of a convict --> identified several
common physical characteristics between criminals --> introduced idea of commonality and behavioral
determinism in criminals
- made a checklist of physical features that were quantifiable by measurement to determine criminals
e.g. small slopping forehead, large protruding ears, high
Explain Criminogenic needs - Answer Definition of criminogenic: causing or likely to cause criminal
behaviour (the factors that influence criminal behaviour)
Criminogenic needs
- Pro-criminal attitudes
