psychology

WEEK 3: AT A GLANCE SERVING AS AN EXPERT WITNESS

INTRODUCTION What psychological factors affect a child whose parents are in the middle of a custody dispute?

What are the psychological ramifications of sexual harassment in the workplace?

Could repeated viewing of pornography cause a defendant to abuse a small child?

Most of us do not know the answers to these questions. Neither do most jurors. A forensic psychologist is used by the legal system as an expert witness to provide knowledge that the average juror does not have.

This week, you examine the role and limitations of the expert witness, as well as the legal standards required to be qualified as an expert witness. You also analyze a mental disorder from a forensic psychology perspective.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES Students will:

Apply legal standards for expert witness qualification Analyze limitations inherent to serving as expert witness Analyze diagnostic criteria for specific mental disorder

DISCUSSION ASSIGNMENT RESOURCES