Forensic Psychology: An Overview
Forensic Psychology: An Overview
Forensic psychology—like many specialties in psychology—is difficult to define precisely.
As John Brigham (1999) writes, if you ask a group of psychologists who interact with the legal system in some capacity, “Are you a forensic psychologist?” many will say yes, some will say no, and a majority will probably admit they really do not know.
Referring to his own testimony in court, Brigham notes that, when asked the question,
Forensic Psychology ❖ 7
01-Bartol-45509.qxd 2/27/2008 3:03 PM Page 7 his most accurate current response would be, “Well, it depends.” As Brigham points out, the professional literature on the subject adopts one of two prominent definitions.
Some of the literature defines forensic …show more content…
Police psychology and correctional psychology tend to be the more applied branches of forensic psychology, whereas the psychology of crime and delinquency and legal psychology tend to be more research focused. It should be noted, though, that each one has both research and applied aspects. Furthermore, psychologists conducting research in one area of forensic psychology may consult with or train practitioners in other areas. Likewise, the clinical experience of applied psychologists helps to inform theory development and suggest hypotheses to research psychologists. Finally, many practitioners do engage in research, although a very common complaint among them is the lack of time and resources for doing that.
Specific examples of some of the things that forensic psychologists (depending on their specialty) may be asked to do include the following:
Police Psychology
Assist police departments in determining optimal shift schedules for their …show more content…
The book launched Münsterberg’s career in forensic psychology, and some scholars consider Münsterberg, a Harvard professor of psychology, the father of forensic psychology.
1911—J. Varendonck was one of the earliest psychologists to testify in a criminal trial, held in
Belgium.
1913—First time that psychological services were offered within a U.S. correctional facility
(a women’s reformatory in the state of New York)
1917—William Marston developed the first modern polygraph.
1917—Louis Terman was the first American psychologist to use psychological tests in the screening of law enforcement personnel.
1918—First inmate classification system developed by psychologists was established by the
New Jersey Department of Corrections. New Jersey also became the first state to hire full-time correctional psychologists on a regular basis.
1921—First time an American psychologist testified in a courtroom as an expert witness (State
v. Driver, 1921)
1922—Karl Marbe, a psychology professor at the University of Würzburg, Germany, became the first psychologist to testify at a civil
Forensic psychology—like many specialties in psychology—is difficult to define precisely.
As John Brigham (1999) writes, if you ask a group of psychologists who interact with the legal system in some capacity, “Are you a forensic psychologist?” many will say yes, some will say no, and a majority will probably admit they really do not know.
Referring to his own testimony in court, Brigham notes that, when asked the question,
Forensic Psychology ❖ 7
01-Bartol-45509.qxd 2/27/2008 3:03 PM Page 7 his most accurate current response would be, “Well, it depends.” As Brigham points out, the professional literature on the subject adopts one of two prominent definitions.
Some of the literature defines forensic …show more content…
Police psychology and correctional psychology tend to be the more applied branches of forensic psychology, whereas the psychology of crime and delinquency and legal psychology tend to be more research focused. It should be noted, though, that each one has both research and applied aspects. Furthermore, psychologists conducting research in one area of forensic psychology may consult with or train practitioners in other areas. Likewise, the clinical experience of applied psychologists helps to inform theory development and suggest hypotheses to research psychologists. Finally, many practitioners do engage in research, although a very common complaint among them is the lack of time and resources for doing that.
Specific examples of some of the things that forensic psychologists (depending on their specialty) may be asked to do include the following:
Police Psychology
Assist police departments in determining optimal shift schedules for their …show more content…
The book launched Münsterberg’s career in forensic psychology, and some scholars consider Münsterberg, a Harvard professor of psychology, the father of forensic psychology.
1911—J. Varendonck was one of the earliest psychologists to testify in a criminal trial, held in
Belgium.
1913—First time that psychological services were offered within a U.S. correctional facility
(a women’s reformatory in the state of New York)
1917—William Marston developed the first modern polygraph.
1917—Louis Terman was the first American psychologist to use psychological tests in the screening of law enforcement personnel.
1918—First inmate classification system developed by psychologists was established by the
New Jersey Department of Corrections. New Jersey also became the first state to hire full-time correctional psychologists on a regular basis.
1921—First time an American psychologist testified in a courtroom as an expert witness (State
v. Driver, 1921)
1922—Karl Marbe, a psychology professor at the University of Würzburg, Germany, became the first psychologist to testify at a civil