Deck 14: The Role of Psychology in Sentencing, Parole, and Dangerous Offender Hearings in Canada

Question 1

Which of the following is NOT a principle of sentencing?

A) denunciation or punishment
B) deterrence to citizens who are considering a similar crime
C) appeasing the victim and their family
D) promotion of responsibility

Answer 1

appeasing the victim and their family

Question 2

How many offenders,on average,are sentenced as Dangerous Offenders each year?

A) 12
B) 24
C) 36
D) 48

Answer 2

24

Question 3

How many women have been given Dangerous Offender status in Canada as of 2013?

A) 3
B) 6
C) 9
D) 12

Answer 3

3

Question 4

Which recently introduced bill in Canada restricts the use of conditional sentencing,increases the length of prisons sentences,and places major prohibitions on those seeking a pardon?

A) C-23
B) C-4
C) C-10
D) C-17

Question 5

According to a file review conducted by Porter et al.(2009),how much more likely were psychopaths (both sexual and nonsexual offenders)to be granted conditional release than nonpsychopathic offenders?

A) 2.5 times more likely
B) 3.5 times more likely
C) 5 times more likely
D) 10 times more likely

Question 6

The release policy for Canadian corrections generally is to "automatically" release federal offenders on "statutory release" after they have served what fraction of their sentence?

A) one third of their sentence
B) half of their sentence
C) two thirds of their sentence
D) three quarters of their sentence

Question 7

Which of the following is NOT one of Sporer and Goodman-Delahunty's (2009)unconscious sources of potential bias in sentencing?

A) features associated with the judge
B) features associated with the defendant
C) features associated with the prosecutor
D) contextual information at the time of the sentencing decision that heightens awareness of mortality

Question 8

What kind of factors can lead to harsher sentences?

A) dynamic
B) static
C) mitigating
D) aggravating

Question 9

When deciding upon sentencing,what does the judge usually do?

A) He or she usually follows the prosecutions recommendations for sentence length.
B) He or she usually follows the defense's recommendations for sentence length.
C) He or she usually falls somewhere in the middle of the prosecution and defence's suggested sentences.
D) He or she usually decides upon a sentence that is harsher than both the prosecution and defence's suggested sentences.

Question 10

What is the main purpose of parole?

A) to support and monitor a gradual reintegration into society
B) to continue to punish the offender
C) to make more space in federal prisons
D) to reward the offender

Question 11

Which of the following is NOT one of the upcoming proposed changes to the Criminal Code due to the passing of Bill C-10?

A) restricting the use of conditional sentencing
B) increasing the length of prison sentences
C) placing prohibitions on individuals seeking a pardon
D) harsher sentences for juvenile offenders

Question 12

What kind of factors can lead to lighter sentences?

A) dynamic
B) static
C) mitigating
D) aggravating

Question 13

What did the ten Brinke et al.(2012)study about the expression of fabricated remorse reveal that falsified remorse was associated with?

A) a great range of emotional expressions
B) increased expressions of sadness
C) microexpressions of happiness
D) emotional expressions that occurred on only half of the face

Question 14

Which of the following is NOT one of McDonald's (1993)observations of Aboriginal communication styles that may be relevant in a legal-decision making context?

A) First Nations people pause before responding to questions.
B) First Nations people may appear unemotional or stoic because of a belief that it is improper to share personal feelings with a stranger.
C) First Nations people may not make eye contact with the lawyer/judge.
D) First Nations people act in an "angry" fashion,leading to the perception of guilt.

Question 15

What is the purpose of the presentencing psychological report?

A) for the psychologist to suggest an appropriate sentence
B) to help the judge formulate his or her decision about an appropriate sentence
C) for the psychologist to decide whether the offender should be deemed a Dangerous Offender
D) for the psychologist to decide whether the offender should be institutionalized in a forensic psychiatric hospital

Question 16

What kind of face shape leads to lighter sentencing?

A) puppy eyes
B) strong jawline
C) baby-faced
D) a narrow face

Question 17

What is the expression of remorse by an offender considered to be?

A) a mitigating factor
B) an aggravating factor
C) a motivating factor
D) a litigating factor

Question 18

What could be a reason for the finding that defendants with more stereotypical black physical features were treated more harshly than other defendants?

A) prejudice
B) external racism
C) stereotyping
D) unconscious racism

Question 19

Physically attractive people,compared to unattractive people,tend to receive:

A) more harsh sentences
B) lighter sentences
C) more input in sentencing
D) no difference in sentencing

Question 20

In a presentencing psychological report,what will the psychologist NOT evaluate?

A) medical history
B) criminal history
C) employment history
D) substance abuse history

Question 21

Judges often believe that they are able to make unbiased sentencing decisions.

Question 22

Explain the role of unconscious racism in legal decision making.Provide an example to illustrate.

Question 23

Discuss three changes to the Criminal Code from the introduction of Bill C-10.

Question 24

What is a presentence psychological report? Who conducts a presentence report? What is the purpose of this report?

Question 25

What are the four categories of unconscious sources of potential bias in sentencing?

Question 26

The National Parole Board comprises judges and Ph.D.-level criminal justice staff.

Question 27

Is remorse a mitigating or aggravating factor? Explain your opinion.

Question 28

What is remorse? Describe the role of remorse in offenders during legal decision making.

Question 29

What is the name of the only female who was serving a Dangerous Offender sentence in Canada in 2012?

A) Karla Homolka
B) Aileen Wuornos
C) Renée Acoby
D) Diane Downs

Question 30

What types of relevant variables are considered in a presentence psychological report?

Question 31

Judges are able to make unbiased sentencing decisions.

Question 32

What is the main difference between Dangerous Offenders (DO)and Long-Term Offenders (LTO)?

A) The DOs commit sexual offences and the LTOs commit nonsexual offences.
B) The DOs victimize women and children and the LTOs victimize men.
C) The DOs are untreatable and the LTOs show some amenability to treatment.
D) The DOs are psychopathic and the LTOs are not psychopathic.

Question 33

Describe four differences between Aboriginal people and other Canadians in terms of communication during legal decision-making processes.

Question 34

The majority of Dangerous Offenders and Long-Term Offenders have current and past sexual offence convictions.

Question 35

Capital punishment was abolished in Canada in 1986.

Question 36

Which of the following is NOT a requirement for a Dangerous Offender designation?

A) a pattern of persistent aggressive behaviour by the offender
B) an offence of such a brutal nature that the offender's future behaviour is likely to be inhibited by normal standards of behaviour
C) the offence that the offender committed resulted in serious personal injury and the offender is a threat to the safety of others
D) the offender was victimized a female or a child

Question 37

Psychopaths are more likely to commit unplanned,"crime of passion" homicides.

Question 38

Compare and contrast aggravating and mitigating factors.Provide an example of each.

Question 39

Having an empty stomach can influence the judge's decisions.

Question 40

Provide a detailed explanation of the relationship between psychopathy and parole decision making.

Question 41

What role does psychopathy play in sentencing? What role does psychopathy play in Dangerous Offender hearings?

Question 42

Compare and contrast Dangerous Offenders with Long-Term Offenders.

Question 43

Describe the history of female Dangerous Offenders in Canada.