BAPSY Intersection of Psychology and Legal System 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which interrogation technique, developed by the FBI, involves identifying verbal and nonverbal cues to deception through behavioral analysis?
- PEACE model
- Reid Technique (Correct answer)
- Cognitive interview
- Motivational interviewing
Correct answer: Reid Technique
The Reid Technique uses behavioral analysis and a nine-step interrogation process, though research has questioned its reliability in detecting deception.
Question 2: The concept of 'guilty but mentally ill' verdicts differs from 'not guilty by reason of insanity' in that defendants found guilty but mentally ill:
- Receive no prison sentence
- Serve their sentence and also receive mental health treatment (Correct answer)
- Are automatically committed to a psychiatric facility
- Cannot be retried if acquitted later
Correct answer: Serve their sentence and also receive mental health treatment
Defendants found guilty but mentally ill are convicted and sentenced, but are supposed to receive mental health treatment during incarceration.
Question 3: Which factor has research consistently shown to most strongly predict future violent behavior in risk assessment?
- Mental illness diagnosis alone
- History of past violence (Correct answer)
- Substance abuse history
- Low socioeconomic status
Correct answer: History of past violence
Past violent behavior is the single strongest empirical predictor of future violence, a principle central to actuarial risk assessment tools.
Question 4: Therapeutic jurisprudence is a legal theory that examines:
- How courts can maximize punishment efficiency
- The therapeutic and anti-therapeutic consequences of law on mental health (Correct answer)
- The use of therapy in lieu of incarceration
- Mandatory mental health screening for all offenders
Correct answer: The therapeutic and anti-therapeutic consequences of law on mental health
Therapeutic jurisprudence, developed by Wexler and Winick, studies how legal rules and procedures affect the psychological well-being of those involved.
Question 5: When a forensic evaluator uses structured professional judgment (SPJ) tools, they are combining:
- Neuroimaging and self-report scales
- Actuarial scores with clinical reasoning (Correct answer)
- Projective tests with behavioral observation
- DSM diagnosis with criminal history only
Correct answer: Actuarial scores with clinical reasoning
SPJ tools guide evaluators to consider empirically validated risk factors while incorporating professional judgment, bridging actuarial and clinical approaches.
Question 6: Which ethical obligation requires forensic psychologists to inform evaluees that their communications are not confidential and will be shared with the court?
- Duty to warn
- Informed assent
- Notification of purpose (Correct answer)
- Mandatory reporting
Correct answer: Notification of purpose
Notification of purpose requires forensic evaluators to clearly inform evaluees at the outset that the evaluation is not confidential and is for legal purposes.
Question 7: A juvenile who is waived to adult court is most likely to be transferred due to which primary consideration?
- Age alone
- Severity of the alleged offense and public safety (Correct answer)
- IQ below average
- Lack of parental supervision
Correct answer: Severity of the alleged offense and public safety
Judicial waiver to adult court weighs factors such as the seriousness of the offense, the juvenile's record, and the likelihood of rehabilitation.
BAPSY Intersection of Psychology and Legal System 3
Which interrogation technique, developed by the FBI, involves identifying verbal and nonverbal cues to deception through behavioral analysis?