BSFS Forensic Psychology and Criminal Behavior 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which term describes the process by which a forensic psychologist evaluates a defendant's mental state at the time of the alleged offense?
- Competency evaluation
- Criminal responsibility assessment (Correct answer)
- Risk assessment
- Malingering screening
Correct answer: Criminal responsibility assessment
A criminal responsibility assessment (sanity evaluation) determines a defendant's mental state at the time of the offense, which is distinct from competency to stand trial.
Question 2: The M'Naghten standard is used to determine which legal concept?
- Competency to stand trial
- Insanity defense (Correct answer)
- Diminished capacity
- Mens rea
Correct answer: Insanity defense
The M'Naghten standard is a legal test for the insanity defense, requiring that the defendant did not know the nature of the act or did not know it was wrong.
Question 3: Which criminal profiling approach, developed by the FBI, classifies offenders as 'organized' or 'disorganized' based on crime scene evidence?
- Geographic profiling
- Investigative psychology
- Criminal investigative analysis (Correct answer)
- Diagnostic evaluation profiling
Correct answer: Criminal investigative analysis
Criminal investigative analysis, developed by the FBI's Behavioral Science Unit, uses crime scene evidence to classify offenders and generate investigative leads.
Question 4: What does the term 'malingering' mean in a forensic psychology context?
- Genuine psychosis triggered by arrest
- Deliberate feigning of symptoms for external gain (Correct answer)
- Involuntary memory distortion under stress
- Latent antisocial personality traits
Correct answer: Deliberate feigning of symptoms for external gain
Malingering is the intentional fabrication or exaggeration of symptoms for secondary gain, such as avoiding criminal responsibility or obtaining disability benefits.
Question 5: The Hare Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R) is primarily used to assess which trait in forensic evaluations?
- Schizophrenia severity
- Risk of suicide
- Psychopathy (Correct answer)
- Post-traumatic stress
Correct answer: Psychopathy
The PCL-R is the gold-standard instrument for measuring psychopathic traits, including interpersonal, affective, lifestyle, and antisocial features.
Question 6: In forensic psychology, 'competency to stand trial' means the defendant must be able to do which of the following?
- Recall the details of the crime accurately
- Understand the proceedings and assist in their own defense (Correct answer)
- Pass an IQ test above a threshold score
- Have no history of prior psychiatric hospitalization
Correct answer: Understand the proceedings and assist in their own defense
The Dusky standard requires that defendants have a rational and factual understanding of the proceedings and be able to consult with their attorney.
Question 7: Which theory proposes that criminal behavior is learned through observation and imitation of others?
- Strain theory
- Social learning theory (Correct answer)
- Labeling theory
- Rational choice theory
Correct answer: Social learning theory
Social learning theory, developed by Bandura, posits that aggression and criminal behavior are acquired through observation, imitation, and reinforcement from role models.
BSFS Forensic Psychology and Criminal Behavior 1
Which term describes the process by which a forensic psychologist evaluates a defendant's mental state at the time of the alleged offense?