Deck 7: Syndrome Evidence: Battered Woman Syndrome and Rape Trauma Syndrome

Question 1

What is a syndrome?

Answer 1

A syndrome is a set of medical signs and symptoms that are correlated with each other and, often, with a specific disease or disorder. The word "syndrome" derives from the Greek "syndromos," which means "confluence" or "running together," signifying the observation that diseases can present with a cluster of concurrent features.

Syndromes are identified by observing the presence of a characteristic combination of symptoms and signs in multiple patients, which may suggest a common underlying pathology, even if the exact cause is not yet known. A syndrome may be caused by genetic or chromosomal abnormalities, infections, environmental factors, or any combination thereof.

For example, Down syndrome is a genetic disorder caused by the presence of all or part of a third copy of chromosome 21. It is characterized by a distinct facial appearance, intellectual disability, and developmental delays, among other symptoms. Another example is Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), which is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and characterized by a weakened immune system that is more susceptible to opportunistic infections and certain cancers.

It is important to note that a syndrome does not necessarily point to a single disease but rather to a recognizable pattern that may have multiple or complex causes. The identification of a syndrome can be a crucial step in the process of diagnosing, managing, and researching medical conditions.

Question 2

Distinguish between two phases present in the reactions of rape victims.What are some characteristics of these phases?

Answer 2

no answer

Question 3

Evaluate the work of Lenore Walker on the battered woman syndrome.

Answer 3

no answer

Question 4

Compare the acceptability,according to scientific criteria,of the battered woman syndrome and the rape trauma syndrome.

Question 5

What are the phases in the cycle of abuse or cycle of violence?

Question 6

Define the legal concept of self-defense,as it is used in most states.According to this defense,is a battered woman who kills her husband justified?

Question 7

What are some of the topics of testimony by the psychologist as expert witness when the alleged rape victim claims the presence of rape trauma syndrome?

Question 8

Describe the components of the battered woman syndrome.

Question 9

Describe postpartum depression and the case of Andrea Yates.

Question 10

Describe the origins of the term rape trauma syndrome.

Question 11

Describe the role of the forensic psychologist in the assessment of battered woman syndrome.

Question 12

What are the goals of a forensic psychologist who testifies as an expert witness in a case in which a battered woman has killed her abuser? Is the psychologist an objective scientist or an advocate?

Question 13

What are some criticisms of the battered woman syndrome,as a concept? What are some criticisms of the use of the battered woman syndrome as part of the defense by a woman who has killed her batterer?

Question 14

Describe the purpose and components of the power and control wheel.

Question 15

Should a battered woman who has killed her abuser use insanity as a defense?

Question 16

Which of the following is NOT included as a component of the battered woman syndrome?

A)Learned helplessness
B)Lowered self esteem
C)Lowered level of vigilance
D)Anger/rage

Question 17

Describe jurors' reactions to battered woman-syndrome evidence.

Question 18

Describe activities by the psychologist in the assessment of the presence of rape trauma syndrome.

Question 19

Define psychological self-defense.Is it an accepted legal defense?

Question 20

If we combine several estimates,what percent of women will be abused by their husbands or lovers at some point in their lives?

A)10%
B)22%
C)54%
D)63%

Question 21

The _______ phase is one in which the batterer uses promises and gifts to convince the battered woman that he will not hurt her again

A)hypervigilant
B)contrite
C)tension-releasing
D)acute

Question 22

With regard to psychologists testifying as expert witnesses in cases involving battered women who killed their abusers,the position of LenoreWalker is that they

A)should remain neutral.
B)need to communicate to the women that they are "on her side."
C)should report the limitations in the research on BWS.
D)should only serve as rebuttal witnesses.

Question 23

When self-defense is used as a defense,what is the key requirement by the courts for its justification?

A)The person is in imminent danger of injury or death.
B)The person has temporarily lost the distinction between right and wrong.
C)The person is mentally incompetent.
D)The person is caught up in irresistible impulse.

Question 24

Complying with the batterer's demands in order to "keep the peace" is an example of what kind of strategy to stop violence?

A)Personal
B)Formal help-seeking
C)Informal help-seeking
D)Communicating

Question 25

Of 400 battered women interviewed by Lenore Walker,what percent felt they could or would be killed at some point?

A)16%
B)33%
C)55%
D)85%

Question 26

Feeling that one has no control over one's life refers to what component of Battered Woman Syndrome?

A)Lowered self-esteem.
B)Diminished alternatives.
C)Impaired Functioning.
D)Learned helplessness.

Question 27

Based on interviews,what portion of battering incidents reflected the cycle of violence?

A)20%
B)Half
C)2/3
D)85%

Question 28

Most of the women in prison for murder convictions are

A)abuse victims.
B)rape victims.
C)drug addicts.
D)single.

Question 29

Which of the following is NOT included as a phase in the cycle of abuse?

A)Contrite phase
B)Acute battering incident
C)Apathetic phase
D)Tension-building phase

Question 30

The term rape trauma syndrome was coined by

A)Koss and Harvey.
B)Frazier and Borgida.
C)Faigman and Saks.
D)Burgess and Holmstrom.

Question 31

What is NOT a myth about battered women?

A)White women are battered more frequently than minority women.
B)Religious beliefs will prevent battering.
C)Drinking causes battering behavior.
D)Long-standing battering relationships can change for the better.

Question 32

Which of the following has been offered by experts as an explanation of the question why some women kill their batterers and others do not?

A)Those who kill are more able to perceive the imminent danger.
B)Those who kill have been subjected to more severe abuse.
C)Those who kill have fewer resources by which to cope with the abuse.
D)All of the above

Question 33

The concept of battered woman syndrome has been criticized for what reason?

A)Lenore Walker's research possessed several flaws.
B)Research on the cycle of violence questions whether it is present in the vast majority of cases.
C)The concept of learned helplessness,developed with dogs as subjects,lacks applicability.
D)All of the above

Question 34

An instrument used to assess the content of abuse received by an alleged battered woman is the

A)Power and Control Wheel.
B)Spousal Assault Risk Assessment.
C)MMPI.
D)Abusive Behavior Observation Checklist.

Question 35

Testimony by an expert witness on battered woman syndrome was first introduced in the United States in

A)1949.
B)1959.
C)1969.
D)1979.

Question 36

______ of documented homicides by battered women took place during an act of battering.

A)1/5
B)1/4
C)1/3
D)1/2

Question 37

The concept of psychological self-defense

A)is not accepted by 31 states.
B)remains untested in the courts.
C)is not received well by juries.
D)has been criticized for 'excusing' harmful behavior.

Question 38

Some psychologists are opposed to the use of the battered woman defense because

A)it "pathologizes" battered women.
B)it focuses on what the woman did rather than who she is.
C)does not include a reference to learned helplessness theory.
D)ignores battered men.

Question 39

If a batterer controls when and when not his partner can drive,he is displaying what category of psychological abuse?

A)Intimidation
B)Economic/resource abuse
C)Isolation
D)Minimization/denial

Question 40

Which of the following is NOT a typical role for the forensic psychologist when a woman is charged with the murder of her spouse or lover?

A)Assessment of effects of battering received by defendant
B)Testifying as an expert witness for the prosecution
C)Testifying as an expert witness for the defense
D)Evaluator of myths about family violence

Question 41

Why has PTSD been suggested as a substitute for RTS as part of the evidence for the prosecution in contested rape cases?

A)The use of PTSD avoids employing the term rape in the diagnosis.
B)PTSD is included in DSM-IV and RTS is not.
C)There are specific criteria for PTSD,with operational definitions.
D)All of the above

Question 42

One of the first cases to allow psychologists to testify about trauma in a rape survivor as evidence of a lack of consent was

A)State v.Marks.
B)Alphonso v.Charity Hospital of Louisiana at New Orleans.
C)People v.Mathews.
D)State v.Willis.

Question 43

Almost all states do NOT allow a psychologist to give testimony with regard to rape on

A)unfounded stereotypes of rape survivors.
B)whether the victim is telling the truth about being raped.
C)common reactions to rape.
D)whether certain behaviors after a rape are unusual or usual.

Question 44

Most rapists are

A)acquaintances of the victim.
B)boyfriends or spouses of the victim.
C)strangers to the victim.
D)relatives of the victim.

Question 45

Some courts deny psychological testimony in rape cases because

A)psychologists cannot determine whether a rape actually occurred.
B)the testimony would improperly bolster the testimony against the defendant.
C)the testimony is not beyond the common knowledge of the jury.
D)All of the above

Question 46

In People v.Mathews a woman who killed her rapist a month after the rape had occurred

A)was acquitted of the charge of attempted murder.
B)was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison.
C)was not allowed to introduce testimony regarding RTS.
D)plead to a weapons charge and was released on probation.

Question 47

Measurement of level of trauma in rape victims is assessed by all of the following EXCEPT

A)Rape Trauma Rating Scale.
B)Clinical Trauma Assessment.
C)The Abusive Behavior Observation Checklist.
D)Impact of Event Scale.

Question 48

In State v.Saldana,the court considered three criteria for deciding whether to admit the expert testimony of a psychologist about rape trauma syndrome.Which of the following was NOT a criterion?

A)Potential prejudicial effects
B)Availability of an expert witness for the other side
C)Helpfulness to the jury
D)Scientific acceptability

Question 49

RTS is most often used in the courtroom to

A)demonstrate why a victim may have delayed reporting her attack.
B)demonstrate that the victim's behavior was similar to other's in the same situation.
C)defend the behavior of the defendant.
D)support a claim to recover damages.

Question 50

Which of the following is more characteristic of the acute crisis phase than of the long-term reaction phase,in rape victims?

A)Denial,shock,and disbelief
B)Changes in lifestyle
C)Sexual problems
D)Phobias

Question 51

In one study,82% of rape victims met the criteria for a diagnosis of

A)generalize anxiety disorder.
B)major depression.
C)obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
D)chronic fear.

Question 52

A statement about a rape victim such as "she should have locked her door" is an example of what?

A)Blaming the victim
B)Victim derogation
C)Distorted perceptions
D)Rape myth

Question 53

Which of the following is NOT a frequent rape myth?

A)Women secretly wish to be raped.
B)Most accusations of rape are faked.
C)Women cannot be raped against their will.
D)Men cannot be raped.

Question 54

The ______________ assesses the severity of eight symptoms related to the trauma of sexual assault.

A)Impact of Event Scale
B)Clinical Trauma Assessment
C)Rape Trauma Syndrome Rating Scale
D)Sexual Assault Symptom Scale

Question 55

The _______________ detects changes in distress in rape survivors after treatment.

A)Impact of Event Scale
B)Clinical Trauma Assessment
C)Rape Trauma Syndrome Rating Scale
D)Sexual Assault Symptom Scale

Question 56

In Koss and Harvey's ecological model,the meaning assigned to the traumatic event by the victim is an example of a ________ variable.

A)event
B)psychological
C)personal
D)environmental