Psychologists In The Criminal Justice System Case Study

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Roles of Psychologists within the Legal System Amanda Burdick December 23rd, 2013 CJ233 Psychologists play many roles within the Legal and Criminal Justice systems. Those roles pertain to the areas of applied sciences, basic sciences, policy evaluators, and advocates. Psychologists are often called to assist in the criminal justice field as mediators, experts, profilers, etc. and can also provide assistance in the areas of corrections, law enforcement, and academic settings. The practice of psychology and social sciences has often been questioned in regards to its validity and ever varying factors. However, over the years, the area of psychology has been more commonly used in the criminal justice arena. Applied scientists apply knowledge to solve practical problems of the modern world rather than acquire knowledge for knowledge sake. Basic scientists pursue knowledge motivated by scientific curiosity or interest in a scientific question and study a phenomenon to expand understanding in order to contribute to scientific advances in the area, not to solve a problem. The role of the policy evaluator is one in which psychologists who have methodological skills in assessing how well a policy has worked provide data regarding the effects of that policy. A forensic evaluator is responsible for providing forensic mental health assessments and expert court testimony on a variety of topics related to legal questions involving mental and emotional disorders, intellectual functioning, substance abuse, and other clinical disorders, as well as capacities that are directly related to the legal question. The role of ... ... middle of paper ... ...he selection of jurors by race, gender, age, etc. The point of a jury is to have an unbiased cross-section of the defendant’s peers to evenly judge the crime and the punishment of the offender on trial. Sometimes, the opposing counsel will claim many different things to discredit the decisions or practices of the other side. As you can see, the field of psychology covers a broad scope which overlaps into many different fields. Though the area of social sciences has been questioned for its validity over the years, it is becoming more and more of a trusted tool in many different areas of society. Resources American Psychological Association (1994). Guidelines for Child Custody Evaluations in Divorce Proceedings. American Psychologist, 47, 1597-1611. APA.org/monitor/junoz/sp.aspx Trace.tennessee.edu Sagepub.com APA.org/monitor/2009/01/jn.aspx

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