The making of a forensic psychologist: Needs and goals for doctoral training.

Fenster, C. Abraham; Litwack, Thomas R.; Symonds, Martin

doi:10.1037/0735-7028.6.4.457

Cited by 23 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 27 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…The scope of these experiences and the need for qualitative assessment of them is discussed.In recent years, an increasing number of articles have appeared discussing the positive role psychologists can play in various parts of the legal system. For example, burdened with few mental health professionals (Fenster, Litwack, & Symonds, 1975), increasing offender populations (Nietzel & Moss, 1972), little knowledge of research/evaluation techniques (Twain, McGee, & Bennett, 1973;Waldo, 1971), and an isolation from academic institutions and/or professional groups possessing pertinent knowledge and capacity (Andrews & Gendreau, 1976), the correctional system has acknowledged a strong need for an increased involvement of psychologists.The criminal justice system has shown a similar need. For example, professionals see the need for psychologists to be involved in pretrial, presentence, and prerelease assessments (Twain et al, 1973), crisis intervention with victims and families of offenders, counseling of police officers, participation in police recruitment procedures, and training of law enforcement personnel in cultural/racial tension reduction and riot prevention (Brodsky, 1973).The need for psychologists to be involved in civil legal areas, although less widely discussed, is no less important.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In recent years, an increasing number of articles have appeared discussing the positive role psychologists can play in various parts of the legal system. For example, burdened with few mental health professionals (Fenster, Litwack, & Symonds, 1975), increasing offender populations (Nietzel & Moss, 1972), little knowledge of research/evaluation techniques (Twain, McGee, & Bennett, 1973;Waldo, 1971), and an isolation from academic institutions and/or professional groups possessing pertinent knowledge and capacity (Andrews & Gendreau, 1976), the correctional system has acknowledged a strong need for an increased involvement of psychologists.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

An exploratory assessment of APA internships with legal/forensic experiences.

Levine¹,

Wilson²,

Sales³

1980

Professional Psychology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

An open-ended questionnaire was sent to all American Psychological Association-approved internship programs requesting information on training experiences in their programs that expose the intern to the interface between psychology and law. A listing of the various types of legal/forensic experiences available from specific sites is presented. The scope of these experiences and the need for qualitative assessment of them is discussed.In recent years, an increasing number of articles have appeared discussing the positive role psychologists can play in various parts of the legal system. For example, burdened with few mental health professionals (Fenster, Litwack, & Symonds, 1975), increasing offender populations (Nietzel & Moss, 1972), little knowledge of research/evaluation techniques (Twain, McGee, & Bennett, 1973;Waldo, 1971), and an isolation from academic institutions and/or professional groups possessing pertinent knowledge and capacity (Andrews & Gendreau, 1976), the correctional system has acknowledged a strong need for an increased involvement of psychologists.The criminal justice system has shown a similar need. For example, professionals see the need for psychologists to be involved in pretrial, presentence, and prerelease assessments (Twain et al., 1973), crisis intervention with victims and families of offenders, counseling of police officers, participation in police recruitment procedures, and training of law enforcement personnel in cultural/racial tension reduction and riot prevention (Brodsky, 1973).The need for psychologists to be involved in civil legal areas, although less widely discussed, is no less important. For example, psychologists are involved in helping solve family problems arising out of impending legal separations and divorces, providing consultation services to state service agencies (e.g., Department of Welfare), and providing expert testimony before courts, administrative tribunals, and legislatures relating to numerous civil (and criminal) matters (e.g., the impact of mental distress coverage in workmen's compensation laws).From this brief discussion, it is clear that psychologists are needed to perform a wide variety of services that are directly related to the law, legal system, and legal process (Sales & Elwork, in press). Yet, traditionally when psychology "touched" the law, it was referred to as forensic psychology. That is a misnomer, however, since the term forensic applies only to matters belonging to or connected with a court (Black, 1968). Therefore, the phrase legal/forensic has been chosen for this article, since it is meant to encompass all areas in which an interface between psychology and the law may occur. As such, the term is broad in scope and applies to the involvement or potential involvement of psychology in all legal matters (e.g., evaluation of insanity, incompetency) and all legal agencies (e.g., law enforcement, courts, and correctional agencies).With this broad involvement, it is no wonder that practicing clinicians rate legal/ forensic training as a hig...

show abstract

mentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

An exploratory assessment of APA internships with legal/forensic experiences.

Levine¹,

Wilson²,

Sales³

1980

Professional Psychology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Several recent articles have discussed the importance of psychologists' being responsive to the needs of the criminal justice system (e.g., Gottfredson, 1972;Twain, McGee, & Bennett, 1972;Warren, 1972) and proposed standards for training of the forensic psychologist (e.g., Fenster, Litwack, & Symonds, 1975;Gordon, 1973). But while this discussion goes on,.some psychologists who are not specifically trained for this function are already working in forensic settings.…”

Section: The Forensic Psychology Section In a State Hospitalmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The goals of treatment in a forensic unit, which focus on educating a defendant to competency for trial, are discussed, and an example of a treatment program is presented. The functioning of a psychologist in a forensic setting is compared and contrasted with that of a psychologist in the general mental health field.Several recent articles have discussed the importance of psychologists' being responsive to the needs of the criminal justice system (e.g., Gottfredson, 1972;Twain, McGee, & Bennett, 1972;Warren, 1972) and proposed standards for training of the forensic psychologist (e.g., Fenster, Litwack, & Symonds, 1975;Gordon, 1973). But while this discussion goes on,.some psychologists who are not specifically trained for this function are already working in forensic settings.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

The forensic psychology section in a state hospital.

Wildman¹,

Weathers²,

Patterson³

et al. 1978

Professional Psychology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The Forensic Psychology Section in a State HospitalA psychology section functioning in a forensic services center is described and discussed. The legal questions that must be dealt with in such a setting are explained, and psychology's role in answering these questions is explored. The goals of treatment in a forensic unit, which focus on educating a defendant to competency for trial, are discussed, and an example of a treatment program is presented. The functioning of a psychologist in a forensic setting is compared and contrasted with that of a psychologist in the general mental health field.Several recent articles have discussed the importance of psychologists' being responsive to the needs of the criminal justice system (e.g., Gottfredson, 1972;Twain, McGee, & Bennett, 1972;Warren, 1972) and proposed standards for training of the forensic psychologist (e.g., Fenster, Litwack, & Symonds, 1975;Gordon, 1973). But while this discussion goes on,.some psychologists who are not specifically trained for this function are already working in forensic settings. Although the knowledge that psychologists are performing this function comes from personal contacts and communication, a 7-year search of the literature failed to uncover a description of an organized forensic psychology section. The present report describes the psychology section of the Georgia Forensic Services Center. This description, hopefully, will give some insight into how such services are currently operating in one setting and develop interest in the problems and possibilities involved in this type of work. Further, it is the purpose of this article to help educate all applied psychologists about the relevant questions to be answered when doing forensic evaluations, which most undoubtedly will be called upon to do from time to time. The Georgia Forensic Services CenterThe Georgia Forensic Services Center is a 100-bed maximum-security psychiatric facility for males that is located on the campus of Georgia's largest state hospital. The 30-year-old two-story brick building that houses the forensic services center is divided into three wards of approximately 25 to 35 patients each. The facility is directed by a psychiatrist. The center has a total of 135 employees. They include: four psychiatrists, four social workers, five members of the psychology section, three registered nurses, three LPNs, two mental health associates, one music therapist, two activity therapists, two clinical chaplains, two special education teachers, a training officer, and a business administrator. The remaining employees are attendant/security and clerical personnel. Social-work and psychology students are frequently assigned to the forensic services center for several months of practicum.The Georgia Forensic Services Center provides services to four main types of patients.

show abstract

“…Several models documenting the need for forensic psychology training have been proposed (Buxton & Duhin, 1977;Fenster, Litwack, & Symonds, 1975;Poythress, 1979). It is surprising, however, that special training in this area has developed at a much slower pace.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

The need for training in forensic child psychology.

Rosén¹

1983

Professional Psychology: Research and Practice

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

In recent years the practice of forensic psychology has expanded dramatically and has opened several new routes for clinical and professional practice. Unfortunately, special training in forensic psychology has developed at a surprisingly slower pace, especially in the area of child clinical psychology and the law. This article discusses the history and philosophy of law as it relates to children and families; the language of the legal arena; the major components of the legal system; clinical assessment in the forensic setting; and the need for training in forensic child psychology. A special model for child forensic training is proposed.

show abstract

The making of a forensic psychologist: Needs and goals for doctoral training.

Cited by 23 publications

References 27 publications

An exploratory assessment of APA internships with legal/forensic experiences.

An exploratory assessment of APA internships with legal/forensic experiences.

The forensic psychology section in a state hospital.

The need for training in forensic child psychology.

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About