Question 1

What can help a clinician make a more accurate risk assessment?

Accepted Answer

All of the above options can help a clinician make a more accurate risk assessment. Short-term predictions are more accurate than long-term predictions, as they take into account recent changes in the individual's behavior. Having information about the person's past behavior can help the clinician make more informed predictions about their future behavior. Finally, considering the person's history of violent behavior is a crucial factor in accurately assessing their risk of future violent behavior. Therefore, all three options (A, B, and C) can help a clinician make a more accurate risk assessment.

Question 2

David has a history of mental illness, and he has just attempted suicide.His roommate found him unconscious and called 911.David spent time in the hospital recovering from his self-inflicted wounds; during this time a mental health professional determined that David still remained a danger to himself and needed treatment.A court order was obtained and David was admitted to a mental health facility.What kind of commitment is this?

Accepted Answer

David's admission to the mental health facility was involuntary due to the court order obtained. Emergency detention is a temporary hold for individuals who are an immediate danger to themselves or others and is typically only for a short period of time. A voluntary inpatient commitment would involve David willingly choosing to be admitted for treatment, which is not the case in this situation. Outpatient care would not be appropriate for someone who has just attempted suicide and is considered a danger to themselves.

Question 3

Future dangerousness is a factor that is often considered when

Accepted Answer

Future dangerousness is considered in all of the situations mentioned in the answer choices. For a death sentence, the jury must consider if the defendant poses a future danger to society. When denying bail, a judge must assess if the defendant is likely to commit a crime if released. Finally, when a defendant is hospitalized after being found not guilty by reason of insanity, their release may be dependent on whether they are still a danger to themselves or others.

Question 4

The Validity Indicator Profile is a measure used to detect malingering.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. The Validity Indicator Profile (VIP) is a widely-used measure to detect malingering in psychological and neuropsychological evaluations. It assesses the inconsistency of a test-taker's responses and compares them to established patterns of malingering behavior.

Question 5

In general, judges have the training necessary to determine whether the theory,
methodology and analysis in an expert's opinion measure up to scientific standards.

Accepted Answer

The answer of In general, judges have the training necessary...

Question 6

Over the past several years, the number of available inpatient hospital beds and the length of hospital stays for persons with mental illness have significantly decreased due to

Accepted Answer

The decrease in available inpatient hospital beds and length of hospital stays for persons with mental illness can be attributed to a combination of factors including the increase in community-based mental health programs, the deinstitutionalization of the mentally ill, and a heightened standard for involuntary civil commitment. Community-based mental health programs provide more accessible and less restrictive care for persons with mental illness. Deinstitutionalization refers to the movement of individuals from large state-run psychiatric hospitals to community-based settings. This trend began in the 1960s and was driven by a desire to provide more humane and effective care for persons with mental illness. Finally, a heightened standard for involuntary civil commitment means that individuals can only be involuntarily committed to a psychiatric hospital if they meet very specific criteria related to danger to themselves or others. This has resulted in fewer people being involuntarily committed to psychiatric hospitals, which in turn has led to a decrease in the number of available inpatient hospital beds and length of hospital stays for persons with mental illness.

Question 7

Which of the following factors can lower the accuracy of predictions of violence?

Accepted Answer

All of the aforementioned factors can lower the accuracy of predictions of violence. If a clinician has to predict violence in a group that rarely displays it, it can become nearly impossible to make accurate predictions. Assessing a patient in a hospital can be problematic because the behavior exhibited while in the hospital may be different from what one would see after release. Assessing for long-term risk can be difficult as well, as predicting behavior over a long period of time is challenging.

Question 8

Researchers have found that when you compare those not seeking compensation through the courts with those who are seeking compensation, those not seeking compensation report more improvement in pain symptoms.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true according to research findings.

Question 9

Which Supreme Court case ruled that mental illness and a need for treatment are not sufficient justifications for the involuntary commitment for those not dangerous?

Accepted Answer

The case of O'Connor v. Donaldson (1975) ruled that mental illness and a need for treatment are not sufficient justifications for the involuntary commitment for those not dangerous. The court held that a person cannot be involuntarily committed simply because they have a mental illness or are unable to care for themselves; there must be actual evidence of dangerousness to themselves or others.

Question 10

It is illegal for an attorney to coach a client on how to beat psychological tests in civil litigation.

Accepted Answer

The answer of It is illegal for an attorney to...

Question 11

All 50 states and the federal government have a workers' compensation system in place.

Accepted Answer

All 50 states and the federal government have laws in place requiring employers to provide workers' compensation insurance to their employees. The specifics of the system vary by state, but the overall purpose is to provide medical care and wage replacement benefits to employees who are injured or become ill due to their work.

Question 12

____________________may occur after a conditional release from a hospital or to prevent inpatient commitment.

Accepted Answer

Outpatient commitment is a legal order that requires a person with mental illness to receive treatment while living in the community. It is often used as a condition of a conditional release from a hospital or to prevent inpatient commitment. Voluntary commitment is when a person seeks treatment voluntarily, while involuntary commitment is a legal process where a person is committed to a hospital or mental health facility without their consent. Emergency detention is a temporary hold placed on a person to evaluate their mental state and determine if they need further treatment or hospitalization.

Question 13

Federal courts do not allow experts to testify about the "ultimate issue" (e.g., Is a
person competent?).

Accepted Answer

The answer of Federal courts do not allow experts to...

Question 14

The number of psychological claims in workers' compensation cases have decreased dramatically in recent years.

Accepted Answer

There is no widespread evidence or data indicating a dramatic decrease in psychological claims in workers' compensation cases in recent years. In fact, awareness and reporting of mental health issues in the workplace have been increasing.

Question 15

In O'Connor v.Donaldson the Supreme Court ruled that mental illness and a need for treatment

Accepted Answer

In O'Connor v. Donaldson, the Supreme Court ruled that a mere mental illness and need for treatment were not sufficient reasons for involuntary commitment if the person was not dangerous. The Court held that a state cannot constitutionally confine a non-dangerous individual who is capable of surviving safely in freedom with or without assistance from family members or friends.

Question 16

Which of the following determines most involuntary commitments?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following determines most involuntary...

Question 17

Mentally ill persons are often involuntarily committed to psychiatric hospitals due to dangerousness.Dangerousness is defined by

Accepted Answer

Dangerousness is determined based on multiple factors, including the nature and severity of predicted and actual aggression, as well as the various risk factors associated with the probability that violence or aggression will occur. Ultimately, the overall probability that harm will occur is the key factor in determining whether involuntary commitment is necessary. Therefore, all of the choices listed are important factors in evaluating dangerousness and determining whether hospitalization is necessary.

Question 18

Most mental patients are initially admitted to hospitals through

Accepted Answer

Emergency detention is the most common way for mental patients to be admitted to hospitals. This occurs when someone is deemed a danger to themselves or others, and they are detained involuntarily for evaluation and treatment. Voluntary inpatient commitment involves someone seeking treatment on their own accord and being admitted voluntarily. Involuntary inpatient commitment occurs when someone is deemed a danger to themselves or others and is then involuntarily committed for treatment. Outpatient commitment is when someone is ordered to receive treatment while living in the community and not being hospitalized.

Question 19

Claims that go through the workers' compensation system are decided by juries.

Accepted Answer

Claims that go through the workers' compensation system are typically decided by an administrative law judge or a similar quasi-judicial officer, not a jury.

Question 20

Four types of civil commitment are permitted by law.Which of the following is not one of these types?

Accepted Answer

The four types of civil commitment permitted by law are emergency detention, voluntary inpatient commitment, involuntary inpatient commitment, and outpatient commitment. Automatic confinement is not a type of civil commitment recognized by law.

Quiz 11: Forensic Assessment in Civil Cases