The Forensic Psychology Booklet

 

Potential students often look for guidance regarding the programs that they are considering. You are a program assistant at a local university. You have been asked by your department chair (psychology) to create a booklet about the field of forensic psychology for potential students. This booklet will be given out at information sessions and will be sent to students requesting more information. The department chair asks you to create this booklet with the undecided student in mind, remembering that while you don’t want to scare students away, you also want to be truthful about the field. She asks for the following information to be included:

  A description of the educational levels required and recommended (i.e. what can a MA level forensic psychologist do, versus a Doctorate level professional). Different roles that a forensic psychologist can take. This can include roles in the court and out as well as research possibilities. (2 pages) A discussion of each of the following and discuss why is it important that all forensic psychologists need to be well-versed in them (3 pages): Case Law Specific Amendments to the U.S. Constitution and why they are important Important past research in the field Diversity issues Ethical considerations An analysis of at least three aspects of the American judicial system (such as eyewitness testimony, transfer of juveniles to criminal court, etc.), which are impacted most heavily by psychology and psychological research (3 pages). Be sure to discuss: Three aspects of the American judicial system How psychology has impacted these aspects One research study for each aspect that is considered pivotal, classic or ground breaking in the field.

Your booklet needs to be at least 8 pages long. Because it is an informational booklet, it will not be formatted like a formal paper, but should be professionally and attractively presented. Please remember that all citations should follow APA formatting rules, and the majority of the information should be in a formal academic writing style. However, a minority of the information can be written in bulleted format.

 

Assignment 1 Grading Criteria

Maximum Points

Discussed the different roles that a forensic psychologist can take and the educational requirements required for each.

44

Discussed case law and its importance to the work of forensic psychologists.

24

Discussed specific constitutional amendments and their importance to the work of forensic psychologists.

24

Discussed the importance of psychological research to the legal system.

24

Discussed diversity issues specific to the legal system and psychology and their importance to the work of forensic psychologists.

24

Discussed ethical considerations for forensic psychologists as they work in the legal system.

24

Analyzed the first aspect of the American judicial system, how psychology has impacted it, and described one important research study pertaining to it.

24

Analyzed the second aspect of the American judicial system, how psychology has impacted it, and described one important research study pertaining to it.

24

Analyzed the third aspect of the American judicial system, how psychology has impacted it, and described one important research study pertaining to it.

24

Organization (16 points): Introduction, transitions, and conclusion
Style (8 points): Tone, audience, and word choice
Usage and Mechanics (16 points): Grammar, spelling, and sentence structure
APA Elements (24 points): In text citations and references, paraphrasing, and appropriate use of quotations and other elements of style

64

Total:

300