Submitted by: Submitted by sdhott2564
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Category: Philosophy and Psychology
Date Submitted: 04/13/2013 02:33 PM
The role of the forensic psychologist working with special populations: Ethical considerations in the
assessment and treatment of sexually violent predators and psychopathic offenders with culturally relevant indicators.
Sheila D. Hottinger
Argosy University
FP 6035 Evaluation and Treatment of Offenders
Professor: Chad Tillbrook, PhD.
May 27, 2011
The role of the forensic psychologist working with special offender populations is one of predicting treatment success, possibility of recidivism, and application of human rights to include the moral, social, and legal rights of offenders. However, the literature is quite sparse regarding forensic psychology and human rights; more specifically, human rights within the special offender populations (Perlin, 2006; Ward & Birgden, 2007).
Moreover, the forensic psychologists’ role is that of impartiality when suggesting treatment programs, rather than “act on personal reactions to individual behavior” (Glaser, 2003). Most importantly, the forensic psychologist must adhere to their “role as agents of the state” (Birgden, 2007), while maintaining the individuality of the offender within the special population. In addition, the forensic psychologist must determine not “what works”, but rather apply what works for the particular offender under the given circumstance (Langton, 2007). This paper will discuss the forensic psychologist’s role working with the special offender populations of Sexually Violent Predators (SVP) and Psychopathology with Culturally Relevant Indicators.
Sexually Violent Predators (SVP)
Forensic Psychologists’ Role
Forensic psychologists may be asked to evaluate sex offenders in a civil or criminal matter, focusing upon psychopathology/mental abnormality,...