Psychological Theories Of Police Work And Eyewitness...

Per your request, I have researched some psychological factors in criminal investigation that could have played a role in Mr. Bloodsworth’s conviction. The areas that I have chosen to focus on are confirmation bias, the two young boys as witnesses, and criminal profiling. In this memo, I will identify the major problems in police work and eyewitness identification that were present in Mr. Bloodsworth’s case by using and describing the psychological theories and research findings from the Psychology and Law course I took. Summary of the Case In Rosedale, Maryland Dawn Hamilton, a nine-year girl, was found dead in a wooded area, having been beaten and sexually assaulted. Mr. Bloodsworth was arrested for the crime after identification by a witness from a police sketch made public on television and an anonymous caller told police hotline he recalled seeing him with the victim that day. At trial, five witnesses testified that they had had seen Mr. Bloodsworth with the victim; however, two of those witnesses were unable to identify Mr. Bloodsworth in a lineup. Although there was no physical evidence connecting our client to the crime, he was convicted and sentenced to death row. Mr. Bloodsworth has maintained his innocence throughout his trial and continues to maintain it. Psychology Analysis Wrongful witness identification was a major component of Mr. Bloodsworth’s wrongful conviction. Witness accounts of the offender suggested that he was well over 6 feet tall had curlyShow MoreRelatedEssay on Problems with Eyewitness Testimony1395 Words   |  6 PagesEyewitness testimony has been used for many centuries and continues to be a part of our criminal justice system. Although, there has been many controversy debates on whether to allow the continuation of these testimonies in court, and allow it to be used as evidence. Eyewitness testimony can either be harmful or useful for an individual. We must fully analysis and see what certain factors (psychological, and age wise) come into the equation before coming up with final conclusions. A case studyRead MoreCriminal Profiling the Popular Tv Shows 21594 Words   |  7 Pageson evidence and common sense, or reasoning. Criminal Profiling is a Forensic Science, and like any Science, is concluded by theories and patterns, and more often than not, a crucial part to determining who a suspect could be when no eye witnesses are available. A criminal profiler will create a psychological profile of a suspect to aid Law Enforcement in the identification and location of the suspect by merely what they know about human behavior, motivation, and mental illness. (www.wcupa.edu.)Read MoreThe Innocence Of Eyewitness Testimony1828 Words   |  8 PagesIntroduction Research shows that jurors place more value on eyewitness testimony than any other important form of evidence, including DNA. (Anderson, T. M.,2015). More often than we might think, the eyewitness testimony is false, ultimately leading to false convictions, and possibly the death of an innocent person. According to the Innocence Project (2014), inaccurate eyewitness testimonies and identifications make up about 72% of the current 329 wrongful convictions that have been later overturnedRead MoreEssay about The Unreliability of the Eyewitness2135 Words   |  9 Pagesfinger, accompanied by the solidifying eyewitness statement â€Å"He’s the one!† is enough for a jury to make its final decision in a court case. Although it is understandable, when faced opposite of the individual creating the accusation, to place one’s belief in the accusation made, the credibility of the eyewitness’s account of events are rarely taken into consideration. Psychologists have taken part in research that recognizes the unreliable nature of eyewitness statements used to determine guilt becauseRead MoreEyewitness Testimony as a Source of Reliable Evidence4499 Words   |  18 PagesEyewitness Testimony as a source of reliable evidence In relation to cognitive psychology, is eyewitness testimony reliable in today’s judicial system? Word Count: 3944 ABSTRACT Is eyewitness testimony a reliable source of evidence in today’s judicial system? Many jurors tend to pay close attention to eyewitness testimony assuming that what they hear is exactly as it happened. They ignore the psychology behind remembering an event. Our brain is a complex structure and it is difficult to absorbRead MoreAnalysis Of The Film Antwone Fisher 1838 Words   |  8 Pagescertainty as well as on the amount of time between incident and witness identification of the suspect. However, there is much evidence – some of which we’ll cover today – that belief in one’s accuracy of memory is no guarantee that one’s memory is accurate. To illustrate this point, the Innocence Project (2012) found that 75% of false convictions that are later overturned are based on faulty eyewitness testimony Psychological and physiological research indicates that memory is a process. IndeedRead MoreStudy Program Essay690 Words   |  3 PagesOlson, the Texas dealth penalty case Barefoot v. Estelle showed that jurors are more influenced by less scientific clinical expert testimony, and less influenced by more scientific actuarial expert testimony. By applying cognitive-experiential self-theory (CEST) to juror decision-making, the present study was undertaken in an attempt to offer a theoretical rationale for the findings (Krauss, Liberman, Olson, 2004). Based on past CEST research, 163 mock jurors were either directed into a rationalRead MoreEyewitness Testimony On The Criminal Justice System3236 Words   |  13 Pages Psychological research shows that eyewitness testimony is not always accurate; therefore it should not be used in the criminal justice system. Discuss. Word Count: 2,589 There has been considerable interest and study in the accuracy or inaccuracy of the use of eyewitness testimonies in the current criminal justice system. Results collated by several studies add to the bulk of literature suggesting that the current usage of eyewitness testimony by the legal system is far fromRead MoreFalse Confession3735 Words   |  15 Pagesever heal? You have been broken. Now every thought that runs through your mind is consumed with your desire for revenge. You want nothing more than to catch the person that has taken someone so precious from you; to make them suffer as you have. Police ask you to come in for questioning. You want to help them do their job and find the perpetrator. You have no idea that the real reason they asked you to come in is because you are their main suspect. They believe you did it. They think that youRead MoreWrongful Convictions And Its Effect On Society6680 Words   |  27 Pagesexoneration rates have increased. â€Å"There are many factors involved when consider the causes of wrongful convictions. Eyewitness misidentification is a leading cause for wrongful convictions.† (Innocence Project, n.d.) Other leading causes in wrongful convictions include improper forensics, false confessions, informants, and bad lawyering. â€Å"The authors argue that traditional sources of error (eyewitness misidentification, false confessions, perjured testimony, forensic error, tunnel vision, prosecutorial misconduct

The Development of Psychology Essay - 1156 Words

The Development of Psychology Psychology is defined as the scientific study of behavior and the mind. This definition implies three things. The first is that psychology is a science, a field that can be studied through objective methods of observation and experimentation. The second is that it is the study of behavior, animal activity that can be observed and measured. And the third is that it is the study of the mind, the conscious and unconscious mental states that cannot be seen but inferred through observation. This modern-day definition of psychology sheds light on the history of psychology, for it only became a science in the late 19th century though psychological thought has been present since Antiquity. Previously, psychology†¦show more content†¦The birth of psychology as a science can be traced to the University of Leipzig, in Germany in 1879. In the University of Leipzig, physiologist Wilhelm Wundt founded the first laboratory dedicated to the scientific study of the mind. Wundt’s labor atory attracted European and American scientist who conducted the first psychological experiments known. Early scientific study of psychology in Wundt’s laboratory was conducted mainly through the method of introspection. Introspection entailed the systematic observation of people who were trained to describe their conscious experience as they encountered visual displays and other stimuli. Wundt, as prefaced in one of his books, set out to â€Å"mark out a new domain of science†. He did so, establishing psychology as a field of science. In the United States, William James from Harvard University explored the emerging study of psychology in 1875 as he created and taught an introduction-to-psychology course. In 1890, he published the first American college textbook on psychology which was quickly adopted as the leading psychology textbook. In The Principles of Psychology, he wrote of the formation of habits, individuality, emotions, stream of consciousness, and other topics. He is considered the founder of American psychology. The first decades of psychology were dominated by the structuralism and functionalism schools of thought. Structuralism was espoused by Wilhelm Wundt and his student Edward Titchener.Show MoreRelatedThe Development Of Mathematical Psychology1560 Words   |  7 PagesPsychology established into a mathematical discipline through a series of events during history. This establishment led to the development of mathematical psychology; a field encompassing empirical methodology (Benjafield, 2015). Furthermore, through the implementation of math in psychology, findings from previous and current studies of psychology influenced the plethora of knowledge available today—directly impacting society’s understanding and application of psychological phenomena. This is articulatedRead MoreStructuralism And The Development Of Psychology874 Words   |  4 PagesBy studying our behavior the development of psychology has developed over time 2.a) structuralism- early school of psychology that used introspection to study the structure of the human mind (Edward B. Titchener) functionalism- from an evolutionary process, a school of psychology is focused on how mental and behavioral processes function Behavioral- an objective form of science that studies behavior without reference to mental process b) Gestalt- Max Wertheimer sought to explain perceptions in termsRead More development psychology Essay1558 Words   |  7 Pages Development psychology is concerned with the different stages that an individual must go through throughout their lifetime. During these life stages, individuals are forced to face issues, make decisions, and psychosocially develop. Thomas and Laura are two individuals in different life stages that are facing important issues. There are forced to use their fluid intelligence, go through transitions, and cope with gender schema. As these individuals progression through these various stages they areRead MoreThe Path Of Psychology s Development1515 Words   |  7 Pagesthe psychology seeks to answer all these and many other issues. The path of psychology’s development differs from the developments of other sciences. After all, the objects of physics study, for example, somehow, are visible and tangible. Psychology, on the contrary studies invisible a nd even intangible substances. Prerequisites for the emergence of psychological doctrine have existed from ancient times. Even the ancient Greek philosophers have built that solid foundation, on which psychology aroseRead MoreGrowth And Development Of Personality Psychology1208 Words   |  5 PagesCorissa Beairsto Personality Psychology 321 09/1/2014 Growth and Development in Personality Psychology With the growing research in Psychology, we find the question, â€Å"how did we get this way,† more common in development across the lifespan. (Cervone Parvin, 2013) Personality theorists are looking more at this question, pushing to understand personality development even more. Two main challenges are faced while studying personality development; the patterns of development consistent with what mostRead MorePsychology : Child Development Theories1094 Words   |  5 PagesPsychology: Child Development Theories According to Merriam-Webster, psychology is â€Å"the study of the human mind and its functions†. With psychology, we are able to understand and predict human behavior and overall understand how we think and process the world around us. In this research paper we will be discussing the most known theories of a specific branch of psychology, child development, then I will explain which theory of all I believe is right and why. Developmental psychology is the scientificRead MoreThe Contribution of Different Approaches to Psychology for the Development of Modern Psychology1147 Words   |  5 Pages Psychology is a vast field which consists of theories and approaches where it involves certain assumptions on human behavior. How they function and the aspects of the behavior that needs to be studied, in addition to the research methods that are needed to be followed in order to understand it thoroughly. These approaches provide characteristic viewpoints and emphasize different factors. These approaches have contributed towards the development of modern psychology in various ways. Read MoreDevelopmental Psychology : The Stages Of Development1191 Words   |  5 PagesJulissa Valtierra Mrs. Yolanda Developmental Psychology May 18, 2015 Erickson Essay Erick Erickson, a German psychoanalyst created a theory called the Stages of Development, which consist of eight phases. As a person passes though each stage they will attempt to resolve crises that are important to the process of life. These eight stages include building a sense of trust in others, discovering a sense of self, as well as preparing the forthcoming generation for the future. Since everyone is uniqueRead MoreThe Theory Of Psychology And Personality Development1802 Words   |  8 PagesPersonality Report There are many theorists that have made psychology incredible, and have paved the way for what we believe psychology to consist of today. Some important theorists that I believe have made a huge contribution are Sigmund Freud, Karen Horney, and Dollard and Miller. These theorists have all had their own view on personality development, and I believe that these ideas have shaped the way in which we view psychology today. The many interpretations of conflict, psychotherapy, and culturalRead MoreThe Theory Of Psychology And Personality Development1802 Words   |  8 Pages Personality Report There are many theorists that have made psychology incredible, and have paved the way for what we believe psychology to consist of today. Some important theorists that I believe have made a huge contribution are Sigmund Freud, Karen Horney, and Dollard and Miller. These theorists have all had their own view on personality development, and I believe that these ideas have shaped the way in which we view psychology today. The many interpretations of conflict, psychotherapy, and cultural

Living in Two Big Cities Essay Example For Students

Living in Two Big Cities Essay When my family and I moved away from Ho Chi Minh City, where I was born and grew up, to America, there were many beautiful cities that we considered but finally, we chose to live in Fort Lauderdale, a city in the state of Florida. The most common between Ho Chi Minh City and Fort Lauderdale is the climate which is warm and sunny. However, both cities in which I have lived have quite dissimilar in the areas of timezone, house, job opportunities and kinds of transportation. One of the most visible differences is the time zone that people effort to change for their biological clock as soon as possible because the America’s time zone is twelve hours later than Vietnam’s time zone. While people wake up and start the daily activities in any city of America, the cities in Vietnam are night and everybody goes to bed. It takes a long time for a person to get used to the time. In addition, choosing a house in Florida is easier and more diverse than Ho Chi Minh City. There are many kinds of houses in Florida, including townhouses, single houses, and mobile houses. It is easy for people to choose and find a suitable house with their budget, while a house in Ho Chi Minh City has only one kind of house. It is also more expensive and takes more long time than a house in Florida. Most people come to America to get a better job to change their life because the value of money in here is higher than Ho Chi Minh City many times. For example, when people live in Florida and start working as a waiter/waitress in a restaurant, they may be able to spend their expenses and sometimes they may get even good money from tips. On the other hand, waiters or waitresses in Ho Chi Minh City only earn a minimum wage and no tips because of the laws, so it is virtually impossible to live on that little money in a large and luxurious city. Finally, Ho Chi Minh City and Fort Lauderdale likewise offer various alternatives for transportation. Ho Chi Minh City is the second biggest city in Vietnam with the population over eight million people, so the best transportation for people are motorbikes. These motorbikes are actually useful, and they will help people to drive in the city that is like a spider web. In contrast, the main transportation in Fort Lauderdale is cars and bus. The street and highway in this city are enormous and have many lanes for driving; meanwhile, there are two lanes for moving in Ho Chi Minh City. Although both cities have different transportation, they still have shared a common problem that is the traffic jam in the rush hours, like every big city around the world. Even though Ho Chi Minh and Fort Lauderdale are two immense cities with many differences along with their similarities, I personally like to live in Florida because of the better conditions than my old city, but it is good to go back to my city to visit my friends and relatives. Both places have different interesting things and valuable memories with family and friends that people never forget.

Tituba and Modern Issues free essay sample

An exploration of the various social issues addressed in Maryse Conds novel I, Tituba, Black Witch of Salem. The paper explores the issues of racism, feminism, religious bigotry, and hypocrisy in Maryse Conds novel, Tituba, Black Witch of Salem. The author includes many quotes from the actual text. In her novel, I, Tituba, Black Witch of Salem, Maryse Cond skillfully intertwines historical fact with colorfully imagined invention to tell the tale of black slave Titubas brutal journey from Barbados to New England and her eventual return to her native land. Through this narration, Conds purpose is not simply to recount the story of a long-forgotten historical figure; indeed, by incorporating extensive fanciful devices, she distances herself from the factual and focuses instead on broader and more powerful underlying themes such as religious bigotry and hypocrisy, racism, feminism, and the power of sexuality. Through the usage of postmodern irony and a compelling storytelling style, she imparts a refreshing new perspective on the Salem witch trials and several fundamental issues with which we continue to struggle today. We will write a custom essay sample on Tituba and Modern Issues or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page