Forensic Psychology Flashcards
7 cards from real ASPPB practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Forensic Psychology flashcards as text
Under the Daubert standard, which factor is most critical for a court to admit expert psychological testimony?
Answer: Whether the theory has been tested and peer-reviewed
Daubert requires that expert testimony be based on a testable, peer-reviewed methodology with a known error rate.
A forensic psychologist conducting a custody evaluation discovers that one parent coached the child. The most appropriate action is to:
Answer: Document the coaching and account for it in the report
Coaching should be documented and its potential impact on the child's statements addressed within the evaluation report.
Which instrument is most widely used and validated for assessing psychopathy in forensic settings?
Answer: Hare Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R)
The PCL-R is the gold standard for assessing psychopathy and has the most robust forensic research base.
The legal standard 'guilty but mentally ill' (GBMI) differs from 'not guilty by reason of insanity' (NGRI) primarily because:
Answer: GBMI defendants are convicted and receive treatment within the correctional system
GBMI results in a criminal conviction; defendants are sentenced and should receive mental health treatment within the prison system.
A defendant claims amnesia for the time of the alleged offense. Which statement best reflects forensic best practice?
Answer: Amnesia for the offense does not per se render a defendant incompetent
Courts and forensic guidelines hold that amnesia for the offense does not necessarily impair a defendant's present ability to assist counsel.
Which concept describes the tendency of violence risk assessment instruments to overpredict violence in minority populations?
Answer: Differential prediction / predictive bias
Differential prediction refers to systematic error in predictive accuracy across demographic groups, raising fairness concerns in risk tools.
In which context is the SVR-20 (Sexual Violence Risk-20) most appropriately used?
Answer: Structured professional judgment for sexual violence risk in adults
The SVR-20 is a structured professional judgment guide designed to evaluate risk factors associated with sexual violence in adult populations.