Psychology and Sociology 20 flashcards ~10 min

Criminology and Forensic Psychology

About this deck

Forensic psychology applies psychological principles to the criminal justice system, and this deck of 20 flashcards covers the key theories and research findings in this fascinating field. You'll learn the difference between top-down and bottom-up profiling approaches used to identify offenders, biological and psychological theories of criminal behavior, and the influential research of Elizabeth Loftus on the unreliability of eyewitness testimony and false memories. The deck covers cognitive interview techniques used to improve witness recall, the effects of leading questions, and factors affecting jury decision-making. It also addresses theories of custodial sentencing, recidivism, and the psychological effects of imprisonment, finishing with an overview of key biological explanations for offending behavior, including genetic and neurological factors. Suited to A-Level Psychology students, this deck is especially useful for connecting named studies and researchers to the specific findings examiners expect you to cite.

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An approach that classifies offenders into pre-existing categories (e.g., organized vs. disorganized) based on crime scene evidence.

An approach that builds a profile gradually from crime scene evidence without assuming pre-existing offender categories.

Elizabeth Loftus.

Leading questions can distort eyewitness memory recall (the "car crash" study).

A memory of an event that did not actually occur, or that differs significantly from how it occurred.

A method for improving eyewitness recall using techniques like context reinstatement and recalling events in different orders.

The tendency for a witness's attention to be drawn to a weapon, reducing recall accuracy for other details.

Explanations attributing criminal behavior to genetic, neurological, or biochemical factors.

A genetic component may contribute to criminal tendency, though environment also plays a major role.

The prefrontal cortex (associated with reduced activity in some offenders).

The theory that criminal behavior is learned through interactions with others who model and reinforce it.

The tendency of a convicted criminal to reoffend after release.

Deterrence, incapacitation, retribution, and rehabilitation.

Institutionalization, loss of autonomy, depression, and difficulty reintegrating into society.

The theory that criminal behavior stems from an inadequately developed superego or early childhood trauma.

An approach focused on repairing harm through dialogue between offenders and victims, rather than punishment alone.

Pre-trial publicity, defendant characteristics, persuasive arguments, and group polarization during deliberation.

A phenomenon where a jury conforms to a consensus opinion, suppressing dissenting views.

Narrowing the pool of suspects by inferring likely characteristics of an offender from crime scene evidence.

A now largely discredited theory that an extra Y chromosome in males increases aggression and criminality.