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Forensic psychologists should act in a professional way that does not conflict with the legal proceeding. Forensic psychologists stand the responsibility of their actions and actions of people under them and should act in the ways that portray the highest level of professionalism. Forensic risk assessment is an important aspect of forensic psychology as it aids the experts in identifying the client at high need; ensure that limited resources are allocated effectively. It covers the prediction of the possibility of occurrence of an antisocial character. Clinical, theoretical and empirical mechanisms can be used to in risk assessment. The three methods can be sued to establish the risk of occurrence of risk whether dynamic or static. Empirical method involves research evaluation of the sample to identify both protective and risk factor of the sample. Theoretical methods allow for utilization of a particular theory in assessment of client behavior. Clinical method advocates fort clinical intervention of offending behaviors whether protective or risk factor, although historical offending is also considered

Three contemporary approaches exist to risk assessment; structured professional judgment, actuarial assessment, and unstructured clinical assessment. The unstructured method is the subjective evaluation of the possibility of a risk to occur. The actuarial assessment covers protective and risk factors evaluated statistically to demonstrate the possibility of occurrence of the antisocial character. Structured professional judgment evaluates a situation where actuarial assessment shows inflexibility (Brown & Singh, 2014). The underlying base of the behaviorism theory is that all behavior, bad or good, are learned. The surroundings highly influence the learning behavior of an individual. The “learning” of a behavior pattern is often referred to as conditioning. Classical conditioning uses both a natural and a neutral stimulus to evoke a response. It is done by pairing both stimuli so that the neutral stimulus is able to get the same reaction without the presence of the natural stimulus. Operant conditioning, on the other hand, is a method of conditioning that occurs through rewards and punishments for behavior (Cherry, 2012). The belief behind humanism is that a person’s behavior is connected to those inner feelings and thoughts. This particular discipline was considered to be radical during his time. This particular did discipline reject the idea that human behavior was based upon response to a stimulus and more on the idea of free will. Regardless of their differences, all three perspectives have had some success in the world of psychology. All three have presented unique perspectives for identifying and curing many behavioral disorders. The assessment and treatment of violence should concentrate on theoretically and empirically authenticated principles, and must be integrated into their application to escalate the probability of a successful outcome. Both theoretically derived and empirically driven treatment strategy and assessment approaches can be assimilated into risk assessment. Treatment approaches, frequently stated to as correctional treatment, that follow the risk-need-responsivity ideologies are usually more effective in minimizing the risk of recidivism in adult and young offenders than those that do not follow such principles (Andrews et al, 1990; Andrews & Bonta, 2003).The risk principle, on the other hand, states that the intensity of treatment ought to match the clients' risk level. The clients with either high, medium or low levels of risk should be given the conforming intensities of treatment. The need principle also states that the individual's needs which are linked to violence or criminality should be evaluated, recognized and directed for treatment. Effective correctional treatment must result in positive changes in the criminogenic needs, leading to risk reduction. The responsivity principle conditions that treatment effectiveness can be increased when the treatment delivery has the capability to accommodate the clients' idiosyncratic features, such as level of motivation, their cognitive and intellectual abilities, cultural background and readiness for treatment. Responsivity refers to the individual's characteristics, must be considered to ensure that treatment strategies are effective (Wong & Hare, 2005: p. 5). The Transtheoretical Model of Change is a contemporary model talks about treatment readiness, change and the need for matching treatment delivery to client readiness. (Prochaska et al., 1992) The model brings out that those individuals who modify their problem behaviors progress over a five phases: the pre-contemplation, contemplation, preparation, action and maintenance phases characterized by particular behaviors. The individuals in the pre-contemplation phase have no insight or intention to change in the probable future. The ones in contemplation phase acknowledge their glitches, but they have shown no appropriate behavioral change. Those in the preparation phase conglomerate intentions to change with significant behavioral changes to address challenges. Those in the action phase actively adjust their behaviors, the environment, and attitudes so as to address their problems. Those in the maintenance stage, prevention techniques are used to combine, reinforce and simplify the gains they made in the action stage. In continuing through the phases, positive variations become stable, adopted and viable. Conversely, the treatment interventions effective a particular phase may not be effective for the other phases. Lapses through the phases are deliberated as a rule and not an exception (Miller & Rollnick, 1991). In conclusion, as a forensic psychologist should base his research on the required code of conduct. Both the risk and psychological assessment should be conducted. The different approaches and theories should be considered so as to ensure evidence is according to FRE 702. After the psychological assessment, appropriate treatment technique should be administered.

References

Andrews D. A, Zinger, I., Hoge, R. D., et al (1990) Does correctional treatment work? A clinically relevant and psychologically informed meta-analysis.

 Brown, J., & Singh, J. P. (2014). Forensic Risk Assessment: A Beginner’s Guide. Archives of