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How does being a forensic psychologists affect themselves and society?
Doing a research project, answer's would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
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Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Brianna!
Your homework assignment sounds very interesting and there would be some direct resources that you can explore to assist you with writing your report.
The first thing to remember is that Psychologists do this work and any psychologist that is Licensed is capable of creating reports for legal purposes and even testifying as professional experts in court cases when needed. Psychologists contribute to law connected work by writing a psychological social report that the law enforcement people can consider. Since psychologists do this psych/social report for all their patients, they can do it about criminals and anyone else.
Each psychologist has their different ways, so I am not sure how you can generalize how their work affects them. Many times, they are employed or in private practice and through having made contacts, a court or attorney may contact them to contribute to a legal case about someone who may be accused of something. Most times, this is not an unusual population for many psychologists and their work is focused on the client's background, behavior on a person by person basis, not Law. At least this is how it is in the United States and I would imagine world wide there are different nuances, but that would be hard to say. This work would more or less be routine and not affect the psychologist any special way.
It doesn't so much affect society as much as it affects various individual legal cases. Lawyers or courts may need justification for certain decisions and a psychological profile of a criminal by a psychologist may make a difference in how the case is presented. It's more about building a case than affecting society.
While you are doing your homework, there are resources that you can contact that may help. Contact your local police departments and courts in Adelaide, South Australia, Australia and tell them you are a student doing research. Ask them for the names and phone numbers of the psychologists they employ when they need forensics psychological reports for cases. Contact these psychologists as they have the experience and can answer all of your questions first hand. Each psychologist may have varying experiences doing this work so it may prove interesting for your project report.
I hope this helps for a start and I wish you all the best on a most exciting and interesting project !
Your homework assignment sounds very interesting and there would be some direct resources that you can explore to assist you with writing your report.
The first thing to remember is that Psychologists do this work and any psychologist that is Licensed is capable of creating reports for legal purposes and even testifying as professional experts in court cases when needed. Psychologists contribute to law connected work by writing a psychological social report that the law enforcement people can consider. Since psychologists do this psych/social report for all their patients, they can do it about criminals and anyone else.
Each psychologist has their different ways, so I am not sure how you can generalize how their work affects them. Many times, they are employed or in private practice and through having made contacts, a court or attorney may contact them to contribute to a legal case about someone who may be accused of something. Most times, this is not an unusual population for many psychologists and their work is focused on the client's background, behavior on a person by person basis, not Law. At least this is how it is in the United States and I would imagine world wide there are different nuances, but that would be hard to say. This work would more or less be routine and not affect the psychologist any special way.
It doesn't so much affect society as much as it affects various individual legal cases. Lawyers or courts may need justification for certain decisions and a psychological profile of a criminal by a psychologist may make a difference in how the case is presented. It's more about building a case than affecting society.
While you are doing your homework, there are resources that you can contact that may help. Contact your local police departments and courts in Adelaide, South Australia, Australia and tell them you are a student doing research. Ask them for the names and phone numbers of the psychologists they employ when they need forensics psychological reports for cases. Contact these psychologists as they have the experience and can answer all of your questions first hand. Each psychologist may have varying experiences doing this work so it may prove interesting for your project report.
I hope this helps for a start and I wish you all the best on a most exciting and interesting project !
Chinyere Okafor
Educationist and Counseling Psychologist
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Chinyere’s Answer
Hi Brianna,
Good question! Professionals in the field, as well as society at large, are impacted by forensic psychology. Given that they often deal with tragedy, criminality, and upsetting content, psychologists' jobs can be emotionally taxing. Clear boundaries and effective coping mechanisms are necessary to avoid burnout.
At the same time, a lot of people find the work quite fulfilling because they help to improve the effectiveness and compassion of the legal system. Forensic psychologists help the courts by providing expert assessments, such as evaluating a person's likelihood of reoffending or establishing whether they are competent to stand trial.
In order to safeguard the public, their opinions are also taken into consideration while making judgments about treatment plans, parole, and sentencing. Outside of the courtroom, they support criminal rehabilitation programs that can lower crime rates in the future, and their research informs correctional tactics and policy. In this sense, the work has a significant influence on justice, safety, and fairness in society, even though it might be taxing on the individual.
Therefore, even though the profession can be difficult at times, it also has a significant and lasting impact. Forensic psychology is a career option that could genuinely transform lives and build stronger communities if psychology and justice are both areas of interest.
Best wishes!
Good question! Professionals in the field, as well as society at large, are impacted by forensic psychology. Given that they often deal with tragedy, criminality, and upsetting content, psychologists' jobs can be emotionally taxing. Clear boundaries and effective coping mechanisms are necessary to avoid burnout.
At the same time, a lot of people find the work quite fulfilling because they help to improve the effectiveness and compassion of the legal system. Forensic psychologists help the courts by providing expert assessments, such as evaluating a person's likelihood of reoffending or establishing whether they are competent to stand trial.
In order to safeguard the public, their opinions are also taken into consideration while making judgments about treatment plans, parole, and sentencing. Outside of the courtroom, they support criminal rehabilitation programs that can lower crime rates in the future, and their research informs correctional tactics and policy. In this sense, the work has a significant influence on justice, safety, and fairness in society, even though it might be taxing on the individual.
Therefore, even though the profession can be difficult at times, it also has a significant and lasting impact. Forensic psychology is a career option that could genuinely transform lives and build stronger communities if psychology and justice are both areas of interest.
Best wishes!
Updated
Kristen’s Answer
Hi Brianna!
This sounds like an interesting project! I wish you luck with it!
To enter the field of Forensic Psychology, in my opinion, requires a strong and steadfast personality. Forensic Psychologists utilize strong clinical skills to assist with evaluating and assessing individuals who may be involved with the legal system. Individuals who are in this field often testify in court (for the defense or the prosecution). Forensic Psychologists would have strong communication skills and are excellent at writing reports that explain their findings. Forensic Psychologists can evaluate the safety of schools, evaluate individuals in child custody cases, provide counseling to victims of a crime, assess for post-traumatic stress, and evaluate juveniles and adults for intervention programs.
The recommendations the Forensic Psychologist makes based on their evaluation of a situation, individual, etc., are how they help individuals and the community at large. Their recommendations for potential treatment of a criminal assist their rehabilitation, just as their recommendations on a custody agreement can provide a minor child with the appropriate placement.
The impact on themselves, I believe, really depends on the individual. To enter this specific field of psychology, it is important to recognize the population with which you are working. Evaluating an individual accused of committing a potentially heinous crime can be difficult. There is a level of pressure that can have an enormous impact on the outcome of a case. One of the traits of any psychologist (or clinician) must be the ability to maintain objectivity. If you are evaluating a person to determine if they meet the criteria to be determined legally insane, therefore unfit to stand trial, your personal bias towards the crime that was committed cannot interfere with your clinical judgement.
I believe all psychologists, regardless of specialty, must maintain that perspective and be able to separate their professional work from their personal life. It is crucial to take care of yourself and leave work at work. *I'd say this is true of all careers, but especially in ones that are emotional and physically taxing.
Best of luck to you!
This sounds like an interesting project! I wish you luck with it!
To enter the field of Forensic Psychology, in my opinion, requires a strong and steadfast personality. Forensic Psychologists utilize strong clinical skills to assist with evaluating and assessing individuals who may be involved with the legal system. Individuals who are in this field often testify in court (for the defense or the prosecution). Forensic Psychologists would have strong communication skills and are excellent at writing reports that explain their findings. Forensic Psychologists can evaluate the safety of schools, evaluate individuals in child custody cases, provide counseling to victims of a crime, assess for post-traumatic stress, and evaluate juveniles and adults for intervention programs.
The recommendations the Forensic Psychologist makes based on their evaluation of a situation, individual, etc., are how they help individuals and the community at large. Their recommendations for potential treatment of a criminal assist their rehabilitation, just as their recommendations on a custody agreement can provide a minor child with the appropriate placement.
The impact on themselves, I believe, really depends on the individual. To enter this specific field of psychology, it is important to recognize the population with which you are working. Evaluating an individual accused of committing a potentially heinous crime can be difficult. There is a level of pressure that can have an enormous impact on the outcome of a case. One of the traits of any psychologist (or clinician) must be the ability to maintain objectivity. If you are evaluating a person to determine if they meet the criteria to be determined legally insane, therefore unfit to stand trial, your personal bias towards the crime that was committed cannot interfere with your clinical judgement.
I believe all psychologists, regardless of specialty, must maintain that perspective and be able to separate their professional work from their personal life. It is crucial to take care of yourself and leave work at work. *I'd say this is true of all careers, but especially in ones that are emotional and physically taxing.
Best of luck to you!