PSYC39H3 Chapter Notes - Chapter 1: Young Offender, Forensic Psychology, Crisis Management
Document Summary
Analysis of sensational cases does not inform us about most prevalent crimes or what motivates them. Canadian surveys indicate that crime is an important concern. 44% of canadians believe more should be spent on the criminal justice system. Focus asserts that greater understanding of criminal behaviour comes from psychological explanations that consider individual difference. Psychology is interested in intra-individual differences and inter-individual differences. Intra-individual differences: variations in criminal conduct within an individual across time and situations. Inter-individual differences: variations in criminal conduct between individuals. Mcguire states that the difference between psychology and sociology is the level of focus of comparisons: psychology focuses on individuals, sociology focuses on groups. Boarder social context is insufficient viewpoint to understand individual differences. Forensic psychology: any application of psychology to the legal system: some reserve the term for practice of clinical psychology within the legal system. In the uk the psychological study of criminal behaviour is referred to as criminological psychology.
