Starter: idiographic and nomothetic hand-outs

FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY A-level SPECIFICATION – Paper 3 Options Problems in defining crime Offender profiling Biological explanations Psychological explanations Dealing with offending behaviour

Learning Objectives By the end of the next 2 lessons, you will be able to: Explain how crime is a dynamic construct Outline social, cultural, historical and political influences on the definition of crime Outline how the concept of ‘age’ and ‘intent’ can influence our definition of crime. Explain methods of measuring crime along with their strengths and limitations.

What is forensic psychology ? Discuss what you already know about forensic psychology What skills should a forensic psychologist have? - Thoughts on a post it note

What is Forensic Psychology? The intersection between psychology and the criminal justice system.

What is forensic psychology ? As defined by the American Psychological Association, is the application of clinical specialties to the legal arena. This definition emphasizes the application of clinical psychology to the forensic setting. The broad definition of forensic psychology emphasizes the application of research and experimentation in other areas of psychology (e.g., cognitive psychology, social psychology) to the legal arena. Eyewitness testimony Use of children in court

Skills Clinical assessments Interviewing Report writing Strong verbal communication skills Case presentation Child custody evaluations Threat assessments Expert witness testimony in court Work with law enforcement agencies Work in court, mental health centres , prisons Skills

Defining and measuring crime Define what crime is Understanding factors that influence the concept of crime Discuss the problems in defining crime STARTER On a whiteboard come up your own definition of crime

Defining crime How do we decide what is a crime and what isn’t? An act committed in violation of the law, where the consequence of conviction by a court is punishment. How do we decide what is a crime and what isn’t? What influences the concept of crime ? Crime is socially constructed and is a reflection of the beliefs and attitudes of the society.

What is Crime? In groups, brainstorm: Things that used to be crimes but are no longer crimes. Things that should be crimes but aren’t crimes (just considered anti-social). Things that are crimes here but not elsewhere.

STRANGE LAWS TRUE OR FALSE

in Vermont, women must obtain written permission from their husbands to wear false teeth

TRUE

THE HEAD OF ANY DEAD WHALE FOUND ON THE BRITISH COAST AUTOMATICALLY BECOMES PROPERTY OF THE KING, AND THE TAIL OF THE QUEEN

TRUE

IN CORNWALL, IT IS ILLEGAL TO DRINK TEA CONTAINING MILK FROM A VILLAGE FURTHER THAN FIVE MILES AWAY FROM YOUR OWN

FALSE

IT IS ILLEGAL TO BE DRUNK AND BE IN CHARGE OF A COW

TRUE

DEFACING AN ENGLISH STAMP IS CONSIDERED A TREASONOUS ACT

FALSE

IT IS PERFECTLY LEGAL TO SHOOT AN ARMED SCOTSMAN IN YORK, AS LONG AS YOU USE A CROSSBOW

TRUE

IN ALABAMA, WEARING A FAKE MUSTACHE THAT COULD CAUSE LAUGHTER IN CHURCH IS PROHIBITED

TRUE

IT IS ILLEGAL TO BEAT A CARPET OR DOORMAT AFTER 8AM

TRUE

IN ENGLAND, ALL MEN OVER THE AGE OF 14 ARE REQUIRED TO PRACTICE THE LONGBOW FOR AT LEAST TWO HOURS EVERY DAY

TRUE http://www.telegraph.co.uk/only-in-britain/strange-british-laws/

Problems in defining crime CIRCUMSTANCE AGE HISTORICAL CONTEXT CULTURE IN YOUR GROUPS DECIDE HOW EACH OF THESE FACTORS POSES OF PROBLEM WHEN DEFINING CRIME. You must have an example for each one !!!

Consider this… It is illegal to drive on the right-hand side of the road in the UK (some exceptions). In Germany, its is illegal to drive on the left-hand side of the road. What does this suggest about crime? In the UK it is illegal for a man to have more than one wife, however, this is not the case in some other countries. What does this suggest about crime?

CULTURE Definitions of crime and what is socially acceptable vary cross-culturally. Some countries accept that a man can marry several wives. In the UK this is a crime of bigamy. Adultery is seen as a serious crime in many states in the USA. This is also the case in many countries globally. It’s not a crime in the UK, but it is grounds for divorce. Oklahoma , MASSACHUSSET This adds on to the idea that crime is socially constructed and there is no true definition of crime. Aisha Ibrahim, In 2008, a 13-year-old rape victim was stoned to death by 50 men in Somalia under the Islamic government's laws.

AGE At what age do children understand the difference between right and wrong is difficult to ascertain. If someone commits a crime they should understand that it is wrong. Age of criminal responsibility is 10 in the UK, changed in 1963 A 10 year old can be tried in a UK court. What about other countries? You can research this as part of consolidation

Consider this… Before 1967, homosexual acts were illegal in the UK. Now homosexual acts are legal What does this suggest about crime? Homosexual acts are now legal in the UK but considered to be illegal in more than 70 countries in the world. What does this suggest about crime?

HISTORICAL CONTEXT What is considered a crime changes over time Homosexuality was deemed a crime until 1967 in the UK. This is an example of how some behaviours that are judged criminal might be historically and culturally specific. There are many African and Asian countries where homosexuality is still illegal.

CIRCUMSTANCE There are circumstances in which the legal system can take the situation into account. Actus reus and mens rea. Actus reus = the person should be in control of what they are doing. Mens rea = the intention to commit the acts that constitutes a crime. Can you think of a situation where circumstances would be considered therefore negating a criminal act?

Defining ‘Crime’ Crime is any act (or lack of acting, eg. Not paying TV licence, road tax, MOT) that violates the law. It is harmful to an individual, group or society as a whole and is punished by the state. BUT…your answers to the previous questions suggest that we should consider, ______ ,_____, _____and _______ when defining crime. Crime is a socially dynamic construct.

Defining ‘Crime’ Some behaviours are universally regarded as unacceptable and unlawful, e.g. Murder. However, some countries will factor in ‘crimes of passion’ which results in a lenient punishment for the offender or even ‘honour killings’. A crime is only a crime if state law is broken. Anything outside of the law is simply regarded as ‘wrongdoing’.

How much of a criminal are you Complete hand out…. Think about why it may be difficult to define based on what we have just discussed

EXAM QUESTION (timed) Explain two problems in defining crime (6 marks) One problem in defining crime is ….. This problem arises because … Another issues with defining crime is …… this is because …

Exam Question

Exam Question Answer Problems: •        TIME RELATIVE because attitudes change according to historical context PLUS application: over time attitudes to child rearing and child discipline have changed and so, whilst smacking was common practice many years ago it is no longer acceptable •        CULTURALLY RELATIVE because social attitudes / mores differ between cultures PLUS application: having more than one wife / husband is socially acceptable in some cultures because it is legal and common practice.

Prep for next lesson: Read in your text books: Ways of measuring crime – if you make short notes, lesson 2 can then be added to them Practical's due next Thursday