Psychology 2990A/B Lecture Notes - Lecture 3: Jeffrey Dahmer, Actus Reus, Mental Disorder

• School: Western University
• Department: Psychology
• Course: Psychology 2990A/B
• Professor: Prof

Document Summary

Todays lecture: fitness to stand trial and mental state at the time of offence. How psychology can be applied outside the classroom, forensic psychology and police investigations. Persons mental state at the time of the trial- whether the accused is fit to stand trial, persons mental state at the time of the offense- whether the accused is responsible for his or her behavior. Q: how do we know whether a person is fit or unfit to stand trial: legal standards for determining fitness, prior to 1836: the accused had to have the ability to enter a plea. Two distinct reasons for not entering a plea: in 1836, r (regina or reicht- latin for king or queen). vs. pritchard: charged with bestiality, which was considered a crime against the crown. Also a deaf-mute so couldn"t enter a plea, couldn"t be tried for the crime.