PSYC 3020 Final: Psych Law All Notes
Document Summary
Forensic psychology can be defined in a narrow or broad fashion. Clinical forensic psychologists are primarily interested in mental health as they pertain to law. Clinical forensic psychologists might also be interested in: Determinations of criminal responsibility (insanity) and fitness to stand trial. Personnel selection (ie for law enforcement agencies) Conducting critical incident stress debriefings with police officers. The history of forensic psychology is marked by many important milestones, in both the research laboratory and in the courtroom. Currently, forensic psychology is viewed as a distinct and specialized discipline, with its own textbooks, journals and professional associations. Box 1. 2: biological, sociological and psychological theories of crime: Biological: sheldon"s (1949) constitutional theory: crime is a product of an individual s body build: endomorphs (pear shaped, hourglass, obese), mesomorphs (muscular) and ectomorphs (skinny) were linked to temperaments and therefore different types of crime: