Question 1

What is the difference between the broad definition of forensic psychology and the more traditional (narrow) meaning of the term?

Accepted Answer

The broad definition of forensic psychology encompasses both clinical and research activities, while the more traditional narrow definition refers specifically to the application of clinical psychology to legal issues.

Question 2

Who is the father of forensic psychology?

Accepted Answer

Hugo Munsterberg is considered the father of forensic psychology because of his early work and research in the field. He was one of the first psychologists to apply psychology to the legal system, including eyewitness testimony and lie detection. While Freud and Lombroso both made significant contributions to the field of psychology, their work did not specifically focus on forensic psychology. Reid Meloy, while well-known in forensic psychology today, came much later and cannot be considered the father of the field.

Question 3

Which of the following is not a criticism of psychology made by the legal system?

Accepted Answer

Criticism B, that psychologists are unethical, is not a common criticism made by the legal system against psychology. The legal criticisms usually focus on the relevance, interference, and speculative nature of psychological findings rather than on the ethics of psychologists themselves.

Question 4

Identify three clinical activities in which forensic psychologists engage:

Accepted Answer

The three clinical activities in which forensic psychologists engage are court-mandated therapy for offenders, insanity assessments, and competency evaluations.

Question 5

Hugo Munsterberg gained notoriety for:

Accepted Answer

Hugo Munsterberg gained notoriety for all of the above. He wrote the book On the Witness Stand, advised the legal system of the merits of psychology, and conducted memory research.

Question 6

Describe the purpose of an insanity defense.

Accepted Answer

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Question 7

Briefly explain the three criticisms of psychology made by the legal system.

Accepted Answer

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Question 8

Which psychological theories did Freud believe were relevant to the court system?

Accepted Answer

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Question 9

Select one of the following disciplines and explain its potential application to the legal system: developmental psychology, neuropsychology, clinical psychology.

Accepted Answer

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Question 10

Discuss the relevance of subconscious influence as it pertains to the Timothy Masters case.

Accepted Answer

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Question 11

What are values and how do they influence our justice system? Provide examples.

Accepted Answer

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Question 12

Discuss McNaughten and Hinckley as turning points in insanity legislation.

Accepted Answer

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Quiz 2: Overview of Forensic Psychology Concepts