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Articles 61 - 70 of 70

Full-Text Articles in Psychology

Psychopathy And Adolescent Females: Does Gender Alter The Relation Between Childhood Trauma And Pcl:Yv Scores?, Trevor Barese Jul 2008

Psychopathy And Adolescent Females: Does Gender Alter The Relation Between Childhood Trauma And Pcl:Yv Scores?, Trevor Barese

Psychology Theses

A growing rate of violence among adolescent females has led to an increased interest in gender differences associated with the assessment and development of psychopathy. This study utilized a sample of 100 youthful offenders, to examine the role of gender in the relation between various forms of childhood trauma and scores on the Psychopathy Checklist: Youth Version (PCL:YV). Correlations were found between certain forms of childhood abuse and elevated PCL:YV scores. Furthermore, gender appeared to alter the predictive power of proposed developmental risk factors commonly associated with psychopathy. The findings indicate possible discrepancies in developmental risk factors between genders. Implications …


The Evidence And The Expert: Judgments Of Their Relative Importance In Confession Adjudication, Morgan S. Moffa May 2008

The Evidence And The Expert: Judgments Of Their Relative Importance In Confession Adjudication, Morgan S. Moffa

Psychology Theses

Forensic evidence is gaining prominence in both the media and in courts. As a result, the role of expert witness testimony in cases involving a disputed confession is unclear. The current study examined the effects of expert witness testimony, commonly-used interrogation tactics, and equivocal forensic evidence, on perceptions both the expert and the evidence. Results indicated perceptions of forensic evidence were a function of expert witness testimony, suggesting the influence of expert testimony on confessions is not limited to perceptions of the interrogation. In addition, evaluations of reliability and probative validity of forensic-type evidence indicated participants’ difficulty in distinguishing between …


The Confluence Of Psychopathic Traits, Violence, And Mental Health Needs In Adolescent Females: Theoretical And Treatment Implications, Nathan Cook Jan 2008

The Confluence Of Psychopathic Traits, Violence, And Mental Health Needs In Adolescent Females: Theoretical And Treatment Implications, Nathan Cook

Psychology Theses

The relation among psychopathic traits, violence, and mental health needs was investigated in a sample of male and female juvenile offenders to test for the presence of gender differences. Demographic, offense, and mental health information was gathered from 100 youth offenders, 50 female and 50 male, committed to a state juvenile justice agency. Case file information was used to score the Psychopathy Checklist: Youth Version and additional archival data was used to code offense and mental health variables. Female and male juvenile offenders differed on PCL:YV scores as a function of proactive violence and mental health needs. The results are …


From Obsession To Confession: A False Confession Paradigm In The Murder Of Jon Benet Ramsey, Morgan Moffa, Judith Platania Jan 2008

From Obsession To Confession: A False Confession Paradigm In The Murder Of Jon Benet Ramsey, Morgan Moffa, Judith Platania

Arts & Sciences Faculty Publications

In this study, we used a fact pattern similar to the John Mark Karr scenario to examine perceptions of DNA and confession evidence. Specifically, we hypothesized that DNA evidence, confessor level of psychopathology, and presence or absence of Miranda protections would affect participants’ perceptions of guilt and attitudes towards the interrogation process. One hundred nine undergraduates read a two-page summary based on John Mark Karr’s confession. Summaries varied based on psychopathology of confessor, the presence or absence of DNA evidence, and the provision of Miranda warnings prior to confession. The DNA manipulation explained participants’ attitudes towards specific aspects of the …


Effects Of Expert Testimony And Interrogation Tactics On Perceptions Of Confessions, Morgan Moffa, Judith Platania Jan 2007

Effects Of Expert Testimony And Interrogation Tactics On Perceptions Of Confessions, Morgan Moffa, Judith Platania

Arts & Sciences Faculty Publications

Evidence obtained through the process of interrogation is frequently undermined by what can be perceived as overzealous interrogation tactics. Although the majority of psychologically oriented tactics are legally permissible, they nonetheless contribute to innocent suspects confessing to crimes they did not commit. The present study examined the effect of expert testimony and interrogation tactics on perceptions of a confession. 182 undergraduates read a transcript of a homicide trial that varied based on interrogation tactic: implicit threat of punishment (maximization) or leniency (minimization) and expert witness testimony (presence or absence of expert testimony). Analysis indicated that the type of interrogation tactic …


Review Of 'Assessing And Managing Violence Risk In Juveniles', Frank Dicataldo Jan 2007

Review Of 'Assessing And Managing Violence Risk In Juveniles', Frank Dicataldo

Arts & Sciences Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.


The Time Is Now: The Emerging Need For Master's-Level Training In Forensic Psychology, Matt Zaitchik, Garrett Berman, Don Whitworth, Judith Platania Jan 2007

The Time Is Now: The Emerging Need For Master's-Level Training In Forensic Psychology, Matt Zaitchik, Garrett Berman, Don Whitworth, Judith Platania

Arts & Sciences Faculty Publications

Since the inception of the first doctoral program in psychology and law in 1974, master’s level training in forensic psychology has been virtually ignored by the field of psychology and law. Given the changes in the workplace over the past few decades, master’s level clinicians are providing more psychological services, often under the supervision of doctoral-level providers. Master’s training programs are emerging in forensic psychology to fill the need of forensically-trained clinicians at the master’s level. This article proposes a Bifurcated Education Model (BEM) in advocating for forensic psychology training at master’s level. Citing the Villanova Conference on Training in …


Ap-Ls Teaching Techniques: Deliberating The Benefits Of Learning Through Focus Groups, Garrett Berman, Judith Platania Jan 2007

Ap-Ls Teaching Techniques: Deliberating The Benefits Of Learning Through Focus Groups, Garrett Berman, Judith Platania

Arts & Sciences Faculty Publications

This article describes how students in an undergraduate legal psychology class utilized focus group research (i.e., a jury simulation exercise) to assist in planning strategies for trial. In addition to conducting the focus group, students were responsible for providing an analysis of the results, and preparing their team for trial. Ultimately, students reported the focus group exercise helped them develop trial strategies, understand the role of trial consultants, and gain a better understanding of scientific jury selection. Rationale, course objectives, and a description of the activity are outlined, as well as suggestions for including this exercise in an upper-level legal …


The Moderating Effect Of Judge’S Instructions On Victim Impact Testimony In Capital Cases, Judith Platania, Garrett Berman Jan 2006

The Moderating Effect Of Judge’S Instructions On Victim Impact Testimony In Capital Cases, Judith Platania, Garrett Berman

Arts & Sciences Faculty Publications

In this study, we addressed whether victim impact instructions served as a legal safeguard in a capital case involving victim impact testimony. We hypothesized that specific victim impact instructions would moderate the relation between victim impact testimony and death penalty recommendations. One hundred sixty-six participants viewed a simulated videotaped trial in which a victim impact statement was delivered in different emotional conditions. Judge’s instructions were varied as either general instructions or with the addition of specific victim impact instructions. Participant-jurors who heard specific victim impact instructions were less likely to recommend death compared to participants who heard general jury instructions. …


Criminal Justice Implications Of The Macho Personality Constellation, Matt Zaitchik, Donald L. Mosher Jan 1993

Criminal Justice Implications Of The Macho Personality Constellation, Matt Zaitchik, Donald L. Mosher

Arts & Sciences Faculty Publications

This article outlines a script theory of macho personality and discusses its potential forensic application in the understanding of criminal behavior, the prediction of future dangerousness, and the treatment of male offenders. The macho personality constellation consists of the view of violence as manly, the view of danger as exciting, callous sexuality toward women, and toughness as self-control. Research using the Hypermasculinity Inventory, developed to operationalize the macho personality construct, indicates that macho men are more likely to act violently toward other men, to act violently and callously toward women, and to seek out dangerous situations. Potential areas of criminal …