Question 1

Which is an accurate statement regarding the relationship between eyewitness testimony and how it is used in the legal system?

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that confident eyewitnesses are not necessarily more accurate, and in fact, may be more likely to make mistakes or be influenced by external factors such as leading questions or post-event information. While some juries may be more likely to believe eyewitnesses, this does not necessarily mean that their testimony is accurate.

Question 2

Which question is an attorney MOST likely to ask his or her jury specialist?

Accepted Answer

The attorney is most likely to ask their jury specialist for advice on the best approach to take in order to persuade the jury to favor their side in the case. This is a question that directly relates to the expertise of a jury specialist. The other options are either legal matters that may require consultation with a different type of specialist or issues that don't specifically pertain to the role of a jury consultant.

Question 3

A group home is an example of:

Accepted Answer

A group home is a type of community residence where individuals with disabilities, mental health issues, or other special needs can live together with staff support. It provides a more structured living environment than independent living but is less restrictive than institutional settings.

Question 4

The issue underlying the dispute between psychiatrists and psychologists about prescription-prescribing privileges is:

Accepted Answer

The dispute between psychiatrists and psychologists about prescription-prescribing privileges is mainly about professional boundary issues. Psychiatrists argue that prescribing medication is within their scope of practice and should not be granted to psychologists. Psychologists argue that they have the necessary training and expertise to prescribe medication and should be allowed to do so. This is an issue of professional boundaries, as each profession is trying to define and protect its own scope of practice.

Question 5

Which is NOT true about profiling?

Accepted Answer

Profiling is often portrayed inaccurately on television shows, with many depictions of profiling being dramatic and unrealistic.

Question 6

You have witnessed a crime and are testifying for the prosecution. What type of question should the defense attorney ask you to invalidate your testimony?

Accepted Answer

By using inaccurate information in the question, the defense attorney may be able to cast doubt on the accuracy of your testimony and suggest that you may not have a reliable memory of the events. This is a common tactic used to discredit eyewitness testimony.

Question 7

Which is an example of the way patients' rights might interfere with patients' recovery (that is, an example of a time when patients' rights are not good for the patients)?

Accepted Answer

In some cases, a patient's right to refuse medication may interfere with their recovery. For example, a patient with a severe mental illness may not believe they need medication and refuse to take it, leading to a worsening of their condition. While it is important to respect patients' autonomy and right to make decisions about their treatment, there may be situations where overriding those decisions is necessary for their own health and well-being.

Question 8

An important current distinction between psychologists and psychiatrists that is changing is that:

Accepted Answer

In the past, only psychiatrists were legally authorized to prescribe medication for mental health patients. However, now in some states and countries, psychologists have been granted the authority to prescribe medication after completing additional training and certification programs. This shift blurs the traditional distinction between psychologists and psychiatrists.

Question 9

A lawyer defending a client whose DNA evidence supports his innocence even though an eyewitness puts the client at the scene of the crime:

Accepted Answer

By introducing evidence about the unreliability of eyewitness testimony, the lawyer can create doubt in the jury's mind about the credibility of the eyewitness. This can strengthen the argument that the DNA evidence is more reliable and supports the defendant's innocence.

Question 10

Research indicates that eyewitness testimony is:

Accepted Answer

Research shows that eyewitness testimonies can be greatly influenced by the events that occur during the crime, such as the presence of a weapon, the amount of stress and anxiety experienced by the witness, and the length of time the witness had to view the events. These factors can contribute to errors in memory and recall, and can impair the accuracy of eyewitness testimonies.

Question 11

If a psychologist wanted to write a newspaper column on mental health issues in the community, what would that psychologist need to do to comply with professional ethical standards?

Accepted Answer

Psychologists are allowed to provide education and information to the public through media such as newspapers, as long as the advice given is based on sound research and not misleading or inaccurate. It is important for psychologists to maintain ethical standards of competence, integrity, and professional behavior in all areas of their work, including public communication about mental health issues. The other options (A, C, and D) are not accurate; psychologists do not need to be supervised by a psychiatrist to write a newspaper column, and they can provide information about medication as long as it is accurate and based on research. However, they cannot provide individual advice to readers through a newspaper column.

Question 12

A practitioner has admitted a patient to a state hospital and has prescribed medication for that patient. The chances that the practitioner is a psychologist are:

Accepted Answer

While psychologists cannot prescribe medication in all states, they are able to admit patients in most states. Therefore, the likelihood that a practitioner who admitted a patient to a state hospital is a psychologist is moderate, and the best choice is D.

Question 13

Compared to past years, what has changed in the professional roles of psychologists and psychiatrists?

Accepted Answer

In some states, psychologists are now able to prescribe psychiatric medication, which was previously only within the scope of practice for psychiatrists. There may still be some overlap in the work of psychologists and psychiatrists, but this change has expanded the professional role of psychologists. There is not necessarily more distinct lines between their work or a decrease in authority for psychologists overall, and psychiatrists are not the only ones able to admit people to psychiatric hospitals.

Question 14

Imagine that you are a therapist working on the border between the United States and Mexico but don't speak Spanish. What is proper ethical behavior for you?

Accepted Answer

It is important for a therapist to acknowledge their limitations and seek further training in order to provide culturally and linguistically appropriate services to their clients. Ignoring cultural and language differences can lead to misunderstandings and potentially harm the therapeutic relationship. Continuing to practice without the necessary skills or knowledge is not ethical behavior. Pretending to be knowledgeable can also harm the client and is also not ethical behavior.

Question 15

A defendant is considering hiring a psychologist to help select a "friendly" jury for an upcoming trial. Research has shown that:

Accepted Answer

While research has investigated the use of psychologists in jury selection, the results have been mixed and it is still debated whether their judgments are more accurate or valid than other methods. It is also possible that using a specialist in this way could lead to negative perceptions from potential jurors and judges. Option A is incorrect as research does not support the notion that this almost always results in a more favorable outcome. Option C is partly true, but does not reflect the full complexity of the issue. Option D is an inaccurate and unsupported statement.

Question 16

Which is NOT a characteristic of serial murderers?

Accepted Answer

Serial murderers lack empathy for their victims. This is one of the characteristics that distinguishes them from other types of criminals.

Question 17

Patients who perform work in mental institutions, particularly private institutions, are guaranteed _____ for that work.

Accepted Answer

Patients who perform work in mental institutions, particularly private institutions, are guaranteed minimum wage for that work. The Fair Labor Standards Act requires that patients or residents of mental institutions be paid at least the federal minimum wage for any work they perform.

Question 18

In the past 20 years or so, how has the authority of psychologists and psychiatrists to make decisions about things such as admitting patients and prescribing medication changed?

Accepted Answer

Psychologists, in some jurisdictions, have been granted prescriptive authority after obtaining additional training and certification. This was traditionally a role held only by psychiatrists, who are medical doctors.

Question 19

You are watching a TV show in which police call in an expert to give them a psychological profile of the murderer, whose identity is unknown. If the show reflects reality, the profile given will be:

Accepted Answer

Psychological profiling is not a precise science and there is no guarantee that the profile given will be accurate. However, there are certain characteristics that murderers often have in common, such as a history of abuse, social isolation, and a lack of empathy. Therefore, the psychological profile given is likely to be somewhat accurate.

Question 20

If a patient is assigned to a community mental health center inpatient facility instead of a mental hospital, the decision makers are applying the principle of:

Accepted Answer

The principle of least restrictive environment means that individuals with mental health issues should be placed in the least restrictive setting possible in order to promote their independence and well-being. Community mental health center inpatient facilities are often viewed as less restrictive than mental hospitals, as they typically allow patients more freedom and autonomy. Therefore, if a patient is assigned to a community mental health center inpatient facility instead of a mental hospital, the decision makers are applying the principle of least restrictive environment.

Quiz 19: Law, Society, and the Mental Health Profession