Question

In terms of helping solve an important social problem such as crime, which branch of psychology do you think is most suitable. Identify the field and discuss the concerns of the psychologists working in this field.

Answer 1

Answer:

Investigative psychology is a newer branch of applied psychology that focuses on understanding and profiling criminals. The ultimate goal is to assist with solving crimes and provide empirical evidence for court cases.

Investigative psychologists perform both hands-on and abstract scientifically-based research and analysis. They often examine criminal styles and patterns in order to understand the offender’s thought processes and psychological characteristics.

Answer 2

Psychological applications in crime

Explanation:

• Criminology, criminological or criminal psychology, or study of crimes involves a lot of psychological applications to study about the psychology behind crimes and criminals.

1. Criminal psychologists analyze about the behavioral patterns of criminals; their intentions, motivations behind their criminal act; the situations which led them to be a criminal; other associated antisocial activities; health, social, personal issues of criminals, etc.
2. They can detect whether the criminal is speaking the truth. They also evaluate the mental health of the offenders or criminals and how much a punishment can influence a criminal (in case, the criminal is psychologically disturbed or mentally ill).  

• Investigative Psychology and Applied Criminal Psychology are newer studies which involve psychological applications in Forensic Studies, Forensic Psychiatry etc and assists to solve crimes by providing valuable data or empirical evidences to the legal authorities.

The concerns of criminologists or investigative psychologists are:

• Working constantly with criminals – this can give the psychologists a negative feeling due to any harsh, violent, rude, inappropriate behavior of criminals
• Due to dubious nature of criminals, criminologists need to observe, understand and make appropriate observation and conclusions,  
• Ethical and moral concerns – Criminologists face a lot of ethical or moral issues when working with criminals as they must;

1. avoid discrimination
2. maintain confidentiality
3. deal appropriately with juvenile criminals
4. must not show develop or show any personal inclinations, empathy, or sympathy with criminals