Week 1: Application of Psychological Re

search – Clinical Settings

The field of forensic psychology originated in part from the interaction between clinical settings and the court system. Historically, state psychiatric hospitals have housed individuals who were found to be criminally insane. Today, forensic psychologists and forensic psychology professionals work in a variety of clinical settings. This week, you examine how research is conducted and used with forensic populations in forensic clinical settings as well as become familiar with some of the research itself. You also apply research findings to real-world settings.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of this week, you should be able to:

• Apply forensic psychology research to clinical forensic settings
• Analyze the use of psychological research in clinical forensic settings

Learning Resources

REQUIRED READINGS

Litwack, T. R. (2001). Actuarial versus clinical assessments of dangerousness. Psychology, Public Policy, and Law, 7(2), 409-443.

REQUIRED MEDIA

Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2009). Understanding forensic psychology research: Application of psychological research – Clinical settings. Baltimore: Author.
Note: The approximate length of this media piece is 9 minutes.Accessible player –Downloads–Download Video w/CCDownload Audio

OPTIONAL RESOURCES

Note: Because of the ever-changing nature of websites such as the one listed below, there is no guarantee that clips or websites will always be available. Hence, the following link is listed as a Optional Resources only. However, it is highly recommended that you view it as it will assist you in completing one or more of your assignments.

O’Toole, M. E. (n.d.). The school shooter: A threat assessment perspective. Retrieved October 1, 2009, from http://www.fbi.gov/stats-services/publications/sch…

Boothby, J. L., & Clements, C. B. (2000). A national survey of correctional psychologists. Criminal Justice and Behavior, 27(6), 716-732.

Homant, R., & Kennedy, D. (1998). Psychological aspects of crime scene profiling. Criminal Justice and Behavior, 25(3), 319–343.

U.S. Department of Justice. (2003). Federal Bureau of Prisons drug interdiction activities, report number 1-2003-002. Retrieved from http://www.justice.gov/oig/reports/BOP/e0302/final…

Discussion: Research in Clinical Forensic Settings

The provision of clinical services in forensic settings is, in some ways, very similar to non-forensic settings. However, forensic populations may provide challenges not typically seen in other settings. One challenge in many forensic clinical settings is the prediction of future behavior. In many cases, the behavior of interest is violence. Violence, like many behaviors that are rare, is, at best, difficult to predict. Much research has been conducted on the various methods used to predict future violence. From actuarial risk measures to clinical intuition, forensic psychology researchers have debated the best way to assess the potential for violent acts.

Other psychological issues found in clinical forensic settings and that trigger research questions include the development of treatment programs to restore an individual’s competency to stand trial, the treatment of the criminally insane, sex offender assessment and treatment, and even the general evaluation of the need for long-term placement. Research can help forensic psychology professionals make important decisions in these and other related areas.

To prepare for this Discussion:

• Review this week’s DVD program, “Application of Psychological Research – Clinical Settings.” Consider the areas of forensic psychology research that are relevant to forensic clinical settings.
• Review the article, “ Actuarial Versus Clinical Assessments of Dangerousness,” in this week’s Learning Resources.
• Pay particular attention to the studies discussed in the article and the key “takeaways” from these studies. Think about how a forensic psychology professional might use the findings of the studies in a forensic clinical setting.
• Using the Walden Library, select and review another study, current or historical, that was conducted in a forensic clinical setting.
• Again, focus on the key “takeaways” of the study you selected and think about how the findings might be used by a forensic psychology professional in forensic clinical settings.

Assignment: Suicide-Related Research in Clinical Forensic Settings

Forensic psychology professionals working in clinical forensic settings such as state hospitals or prisons often are tasked with assessing whether a patient may be at significant risk for committing suicide. If a person is assessed to be suicidal, then involuntary hospitalization of the patient likely will follow. However, in the United States where the right to life and liberty are protected by the Constitution, to deprive a person of his or her liberty requires extraordinary circumstances. State statutes vary in their language regarding involuntary psychiatric hospitalization, but the underlying threshold common to all such statutes is when someone is eminently dangerous to self or others. One type of research of use to forensic psychology professionals working in clinical settings is that which studies the potential risk for suicide.

To prepare for this assignment:

• Using the Walden Library, conduct a search for an article that addresses suicide risk, evaluation of suicide potential, and/or involuntary hospitalization of forensic populations. Select one such article for use in this Discussion.
• Carefully review the article paying close attention to the subjects being studied, the assessment instruments used, the method of study, and the results/recommendations.
• Consider how the data contained in and the results of this research study might be used by forensic psychology professionals in clinical forensic settings.

The assignment (1–2 pages):

• Briefly summarize the research study you selected. Be sure to include the data and results of the study that you think are applicable to clinical forensic settings.
• Explain how a forensic psychology professional might apply the information in this research study to a clinical forensic setting, and in what circumstances, including but not limited to situations in which a forensic psychology professional must conduct an evaluation of a patient for his or her potential suicide risk and/or potential involuntary hospitalization. Be specific.