Deck 1: What Is Forensic Psychology an Introduction

Question 1

When faced with making legal decisions, judges are reluctant to make decisions that contradict earlier judicial decisions. This propensity is an example of the principle of

A) Torts
B) Mens rea
C) Stare decisis
D) Statutory law

Answer 1

Stare decisis

Question 2

Decisions rendered by the United States Supreme Court

A) Always involve constitutional issues
B) Only involve violations of the common law
C) Are not always binding for state courts
D) Must have passed through both the state and the federal court system

Answer 2

Are not always binding for state courts

Question 3

In deciding the type of graduate program to attend, which is true?

A) Joint-degree programs JD/PhD) are best because they guarantee more career options
B) General programs offer the least breadth of training
C) Clinicians with PhDs are clearly better at their jobs than master's level clinicians
D) Most students interested in forensic psychology think about obtaining a doctorate

Answer 3

Most students interested in forensic psychology think about obtaining a doctorate

Question 4

Which one of the following would not be considered a forensic psychologist, according to the definition of forensic psychology offered in the text?

A) A clinical psychologist who is the director of a sex offender treatment program
B) A cognitive psychologist testifying about the inaccuracy of eyewitness memory
C) A counseling psychologist who conducting a substance abuse evaluation of an individual who has been convicted of DUI
D) A neuropsychologist who has performed a competency evaluation to determine whether an offender suffers from brain damage

Question 5

The word forensic is derived from the Latin word describing _______________ in Ancient Rome.

A) criminal profiling
B) the art of argument and debate
C) where individuals resolved disputes
D) the attempt by physicians to identify causes of death

Question 6

In the United States federal court system, trial courts are generally referred to as

A) Circuit courts
B) District courts
C) Appeals courts
D) Supreme courts

Question 7

______________ is a principle that suggests a person must have committed an unlawful act willfully or purposely.

A) Forensic
B) Mens rea
C) Culpability
D) Common law

Question 8

Which of the following is a disadvantage of obtaining a joint-degree?

A) Admission to these programs is easier
B) Hardly anyone ever completes both degrees
C) You are not allowed to practice as an attorney if you have a PhD
D) You may limit your career options by attending a joint-degree program

Question 9

All of the following are in keeping with the notion of therapeutic jurisprudence except that

A) The law can be seen to function as a kind of therapeutic agent
B) Legal rules and actors can produce anti-therapeutic consequences
C) Therapeutic concerns should be the only concern considered when devising new laws
D) The limits placed on or extended to psychotherapist-patient privilege can lead to better therapy

Question 10

Which of the following is not an element of a tort?

A) Owing a duty
B) Violation of a duty
C) Harm must have occurred
D) The harm must have a financial basis

Question 11

Which of the following is a difference between forensic psychologists and forensic psychiatrists?

A) Forensic psychologists prescribe medication
B) Forensic psychologists have more experience conducting psychological assessments
C) Forensic psychiatrists obtain a doctorate while forensic psychologists typically obtain a masters degree
D) Forensic psychologists are trained to assist individuals with more mild mental illnesses and forensic psychiatrists are trained to assist individuals with severe mental illnesses

Question 12

There are a number of conflicting areas between psychology and the law. Which of the following areas is associated with the legal perspective?

A) Empirical
B) Probabilistic
C) Conservatism
D) Experimentation

Question 13

About ________ of forensic psychologists and psychiatrists have engaged in criminal profiling.

A) 10%
B) 25%
C) 70%
D) 90%

Question 14

Who is considered to be the first to engage in the clinical practice of forensic psychology?

A) Thomas Grisso
B) Michael Jenkins
C) Lightner Witmer
D) Hugo Munsterberg

Question 15

Which of the following is a characteristic of specialty programs in forensic psychology?

A) They are the superior option in all aspects
B) Most forensic psychologists choose to obtain their degrees at specialty programs
C) Seminars on forensic-related issues
D) The best integration of psychology and law

Question 16

Which court decision first recognized the admissibility of expert testimony by psychologists in insanity cases?

A) Atkins v. Virginia
B) Jenkins v. United States
C) Daubert v. Merrell Dow
D) Tarasoff v. California Board of Regents

Question 17

Law created by federal or state legislatures is called _____________________.

A) case law
B) mens rea
C) common law
D) statutory law

Question 18

Branson loves to collect dead bugs in his spare time. However, Lois is disgusted by his behavior and is suing Branson on behalf of dead bugs everywhere. She believes they have suffered long enough as they wait to be Branson's next victim. As a result of the lawsuit, Branson will probably have to appear in ___________________.

A) civil court
B) juvenile court
C) criminal court
D) administrative court

Question 19

Which of the following statements is true of joint-degree programs?

A) Obtaining a joint-degree will lead to greater annual salaries
B) Obtaining a law degree is necessary to become a forensic psychologist
C) Joint-degree programs attempt to integrate two different disciplines
D) Joint-degree programs are the best way to be trained as a forensic psychologist

Question 20

Criminal law is concerned with ________________________.

A) acts that are generally considered to be against an individual
B) acts involving financial compensation
C) acts that are generally considered to be against society
D) acts in which there has been physical harm

Question 21

According to Bersoff et al. 1997) a clinical psychologist that attended a general clinical psychology doctoral program is likely a ______________.

A) legally informed clinician
B) proficient clinician
C) specialist clinician
D) none of the above

Question 22

List and explain the differences in psychology and law that can result in conflict.

Question 23

How did the Jenkins ruling facilitate a boom in forensic psychology in the United States during the 1960's and 1970's?

Question 24

A forensic psychologist was asked to perform an evaluation on Dr. Turner's competency to make medical decisions. This is an example of a ______________.

A) criminal case
B) civil case
C) scope of practice issue
D) tort

Question 25

All of the following are focuses of criminal law, except

A) Punishing offenders
B) Upholding private rights
C) Maintaining a societal sense of justice
D) Deterring crime

Question 26

The Institute for Justice, a neutral party in a court proceeding, filed a brief intended to aid the court in arriving at a decision. The brief in this instance is called an) _____________.

A) amicus curiae
B) tort
C) stare decisis
D) mens rea

Question 27

A surgeon that mistakenly removes the wrong kidney will likely be accused of __________.

A) proximate cause
B) negligence
C) mens rea
D) insanity

Question 28

Bersoff et al. 1997) proposed three different levels of training for forensic psychologists. The ______________________ receives specialized training in forensic psychology that allows him or her to perform some limited forensic work.

A) expert clinician
B) specialist clinician
C) proficient clinician
D) legally informed clinician

Question 29

Which of the following is not an appropriate model of training for an individual with the title of "forensic psychologist?"

A) Psychology and law joint-degree programs
B) Forensic psychology specialization programs
C) General clinical psychology masters programs
D) General clinical psychology doctoral programs

Question 30

______________ is often identified as one of the first psychologists to apply psychological principles to the law and is famous for his book, On the Witness Stand 1908).

A) Lightner Witmer
B) William Healy
C) Theodore Blau
D) Hugo Munsterberg

Question 31

Which level of training allows someone to practice as a forensic psychologist?

A) Legally informed clinician
B) Proficient clinician
C) Specialist clinician
D) None of the above

Question 32

Why would it be important for forensic psychologists to be competent conductors and consumers of research?

Question 33

Explain the difference between the terms "nomothetic" and "idiographic?" How do these terms relate to psychology? Law?

Question 34

DeMatteo et al. 2009) proposed that forensic psychologists be trained in several specific areas at a minimum. According to their study, _______ of forensic programs offered courses that would fall under "legal knowledge."

A) 5%
B) 20%
C) 40%
D) 75%

Question 35

What are the four legal elements of a tort?