Master of Arts in Forensic Psychology
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Item BURNOUT OF DIRECT PATIENT-CARE STAFF SERVING FORENSIC POPULATION(2017-05) Garcia, Adriana MabelBurnout has been found to be a widespread occurrence throughout all workplace environments. Although research regarding burnout does exist, there is limited research focusing on direct patient-care staff working with forensic populations. A quantitative research design was developed to assess burnout levels among 100 direct patient-care staff serving a forensic population. An independent samples t-test was conducted to examine gender differences for total burnout scores. It was hypothesized that females would report higher levels of burnout in comparison to male counterparts. Results revealed a significant between group difference by gender. A linear regression was conducted to examine the extent to which years of employment predicted burnout. It was hypothesized that longer length of employment would predict higher levels of burnout. Results were not statistically significant. A one-way multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was conducted to examine gender differences in anger, frustration, and emotional drain related to the work environment. It was hypothesized that males would report more anger in comparison to females, whereas, females would report higher levels of emotional drain and frustration in comparison to male counterparts. Results were not significant. Burnout affects all professionals across all work place. For this reason, it is important to take necessary precautions within all work environments.Item Psychopathy and the Polygraph: Investigating Implicit Bias in Deception Detection(2017-05) Norwood, Jessica DanaeA technological shortcut to the truth is one of the many portrayals that refer to what is known as the polygraph. This study is the third to examine the validity and accuracy of the polygraph in a non-clinical and non-criminal psychopathic and non-psychopathic (N = 36) sample. Possessing limited capacity for anxiety, guilt, or shame, psychopathic individuals tend to be non-reactive to specific stimuli; this asserts the notion that they may be able to “beat” a polygraph. Results broadly support researchers’ hypothesis: There was a significant relationship between possessing psychopathic traits and the increased probability of passing a polygraph exam. There was also a unique association with the severity of psychopathy and passing a polygraph examination.Item Borderline Personality Disorder Within Erotomania(2017-05) Rizk, Christina MarieThe occurrence of borderline personality disorder (BPD) among those with erotomania is currently unknown. However, there are similarities between the symptoms of these two disorders that may increase comorbidity between them. These include harmful behavioral temperament, fear of abandonment and the necessity of another individual in their lives. This study was aimed at determining specific commonalities between the two disorders in order to better treat those with comorbid erotomania and BPD.Item Jurors Perception of Guilt, and Evidence Based on Gender(2017-05) Hovsepian, Aaron CodyThe present study was conducted to understand if there were gender differences among juries. A total of 122 self-reported vignette style surveys were distributed to a sample of convenience at a private Christian university. The study contained two separate conditions (rape and murder) in which participants were asked a series of questions pertaining to their condition. The use of DNA evidence was also looked at for any influential impact on participants’ decision making. A 2x2 MANVOA and a Factorial ANOVA were used to analyze the data. The 2x2 MANOVA was used to test whether the two separate crime conditions had an impact on perception of guilt. The Factorial ANOVA was used to test if DNA evidence had an impact on jurors’ perception of guilt as well. The results indicated that when it came to the type of crime, the participants in the murder condition gave the defendant a much harsher punishment than those in the rape condition. Results also revealed that DNA evidence had a higher rate of influencing the female participants. Unfortunately, limited to no support was found for gender being a determining factor for jury’s perception of guilt.Item HOW THE PUBLIC VIEWS SEXUAL RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN TEACHERS AND THEIR STUDENTS(2017-05) Anyiwo, Amaka R.This thesis provides a comprehensive review of literature on the public’s perception of sexual relationships between teachers and their students. It was hypothesized that there would be a difference in opinion of the appropriateness of sexual relationships between teachers and students when considered by different age groups. Secondly, it was hypothesized that religious beliefs are influences that contribute to how an individual perceives the relationship. Thirdly, it was hypothesized that perceptions of the relationships will change if the initiator of the relationship changed. Lastly, it was hypothesized that media coverage has an impact on how the public views sexual relationships between teachers and their students. A factorial analysis of variance was conducted to determine if certain groups vary in their opinions and if those opinions change across ages varied for teacher and student. Among the participants that were given a child in middle school and high school, the perception of those students having relationships with their teachers was negative. Among the participants that were given college and graduate school students the participants varied slightly in favor of saying that such a relationship was acceptable. Most participants mentioned that they have not been affected by media coverage to which they were exposed. They have, however, found media coverage informative and educational relative to the severity of the situation.Item A Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing: Decoding the Language of a Psychopath(2017-05) Anderson, KerriPrior research conducted by Hancock, Woodworth and Porter (2011) revealed psychopathic language was substantially more dis-fluent than that of their non-psychopathic counterparts. Using more words such as “because,” “since,” "as" and “so that,” when recounting their violence. Psychopathy and individuals with traumatic brain injuries (TBI) demonstrate overlaps in their symptomatology. Utilizing qualitative content analysis research method this research took it one step further and looked at the history of three know serial sex offenders diagnosed with psychopathy, Richard Ramirez, Dennis Rader, and Westley Allan Dodd, whom all suffered from head trauma, to find the bridge between speech dis-fluencies and TBI interrelated them as a causal factor to psychopathy. The main results were that (a) speech disfluencies are caused by a neurological deficit and are not a means of deception tactics (b) there is a biological basis to psychopathy (c) there is a neurological basis to psychopathy (d) speech disfluencies are caused by TBI’s and ASD (e) traumatic brain injuries are tied to psychopathy and (f) ASD is linked to psychopathy.Item FRONTAL LOBE DAMAGE IN FOOTBALL PLAYERS AND DEVIANT BEHAVIOR(2017-05) Cetina, AprilGiven the recent high profile suicides among NFL football players, an interest in the role of closed head injuries in these deaths has ensued. Utilizing archival data, a historical analysis was conducted to test the hypothesis that executive function may have been damaged due to traumatic brain injury incurred while playing football. The findings support that damage to the frontal lobe appears to influence a major change in NFL players.Item College Students' Perceptions of Law Enforcement Fairness: The Influence of Gender and Political Belief(2017-05) Darcey, Miles TaylorThe purpose of this study was to examine college students' perceptions of law enforcement fairness and the role that political leaning and gender have on these perceptions. This study specifically wanted to find if there was a main effect for gender on perceptions of law enforcement fairness and if a person's political leaning can predict their perceptions of law enforcement fairness. Results found a main effect for gender on perceptions of law enforcement fairness. Women tended to self report more negative perceptions of police fairness when compared to men in regards to police treatment of different ethnic populations and persons of different socioeconomic status. Results also found political leaning was a significant predictor of a person's perceptions of law enforcement fairness based on police treatment of different ethnic populations, treatment of persons of differing socioeconomic status, and police respect of privacy. Results found the more conservative a student was, the more positive his perceptions of law enforcement fairness would tend to be. In conclusion, this research found that women and liberal students tend to have more negative perceptions of police when compared to male and conservative students. The implications of this research were discussed.Item Psychopathy and Narcoterrorism: A Comparative Historical Analysis of Pablo Escobar and "El Chapo" Guzman(2017-05) Rollins, Mikael CabrialesThis study analyzes the psychosocial aspects of narcoterrorism reflected by two of the most notorious drug lords in recent Columbian and Mexican history: Pablo Escobar and Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman. It questions whether the psychological factors which influenced and shaped their criminal identities are, in fact, based entirely on psychoanalytic theory (narcissism, borderline personality, etc.) or if they are also products of cultural ideology. This research examines the social and political concept of “narcoculture” as the main premise to view the context in which criminal psychopathy may be fostered and developed. As part of a historical analysis of the narcoculture phenomenon, Escobar and “El Chapo" will be analyzed, diagnosed and compared in order to clarify the psychological and cultural parallels that reflect a distinct psychological profile. By referencing psychological, social, political, and cultural studies, the aim of this project is to reveal specific psychological characteristics as correlates of extreme and violent criminal behavior.Item Law Enforcement Perceived Stress, Job Satisfaction, and Burnout(2017-05) Akwaboah, Paula N.Law enforcement is widely known as one of the most demanding and unpredictable occupations, and one where extensive job stress and burnout put law enforcement officers’ mental and physical health at further risk. This study examined months on the job as an officer, organizational support, and gender differences as predictors of burnout and job satisfaction. As predicted, months on the job as an officer lead to job burnout and organizational support lead to job satisfaction. Furthermore, the findings also revealed that there were no differences between male and female perceived officer stress. Several research implications and suggestions of the findings are discussed.Item Reintegration of Homeless Veterans into Society(2017-05) Butler, StephanieDue to the nature of military culture and combat exposure homeless veterans experience a unique set of obstacles when reintegrating into society. A historical analysis was used, to test the theory that Iraq and Afghanistan veterans face inter-related problems with regards to mental disorders and societal functioning. As expected, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and substance use were reported within the homeless veteran population. The experience of Military Sexual Trauma has been found to be a cause of PTSD. These disorders have an effect on the employment possibilities and potential for crime in homeless veterans.Item WHAT CREATES JUVENILE KILLERS? A CONTENT ANALYSIS OF AUSTIN SIGG AND MARY BELL(2017-05) Gernes, Joshua JosephThe purpose of this study is to understand how two separate juveniles that were raised in completely dissimilar styles could both become killers. Considering CU traits and biopsychosocial factors of both subjects to see how much of each played a role. Previous research on CU traits, biopsychosocial factors, biological factors, and factors on juvenile delinquency. A document analysis was done on interviews of both subjects to determine if CU, biopsychosocial played a role in their forming of becoming a killer. The Document analysis showed significant levels of CU traits and biopsychosocial factors that contributed to both subjects becoming killers.Item Perceptions of Criminal Offenders(2017-05) Perez, KimberlyThe War on Crime first began in the late 1960’s and although being fought for approximately four decades it continues to be unresolved. Through the years War on Crime has evolved, for the purpose of this paper we will focus on the evolution to the war on drugs. It has been found that media has heightened crime salience. Various studies support this idea, demonstrating that behaviors including consumption of illicit drugs are portrayed more and more on movies and music. This paper will focus on the community perspective of drug offenders, specifically perceptions of dangerousness, threat, socialization, sentencing, convictions, safety, and re-offense, based on race of the offender. Previous studies have found that darker skin tones are associated with bad behavior as opposed to lighter skin tones. It was hypothesized that there would be a significant mean difference between groups A, B, C, and D in perceptions of offender threat, dangerousness, and socialization. Results were not significant. It was also hypothesized that there will be a significant mean difference between groups A, B, C, and D in perceptions of safety and re-offense. There was only a significant difference in re-offense between groups B and D, which were not supportive of previous research that indicated darker skin tones to be associated with bad behavior more than lighter skin tones. It was also hypothesized that there will be a significant mean difference between groups A, B, C, and D in perceptions of sentencing. Results were not significant. Lastly it was hypothesized that sentencing convictions will differ significantly by race. Results were not significant. It is important to look at underlying perceptions to prevent race from being a determining factor in the justice system.Item Psychopathy and the Insanity Defense: A Grounded Theory Exploration of Public Perception(2017-05) Knopp, Elizabeth M.Modern advances in neuropsychology have demonstrated the significance of a psychopathic individual’s impairment and the moral deficit present in psychopathy. These findings have brought increasing support towards allowing psychopathic individuals to rightly utilize the insanity defense, however public opinion has not seemed to change alongside the research. This study examined the public’s perception of psychopathy and the insanity defense, as well as the perceived merit of allowing psychopathic individuals to utilize the insanity defense. Semi-structured interviews were conducted using grounded theory methodology to develop a theory regarding the modern perception of psychopathy and the insanity defense, as well as the perception of whether psychopathic individuals qualify for the insanity defense. Perceptions of a psychopathic individual ranged from a charming serial killer, such as Ted Bundy, to a reclusive individual with psychotic tendencies. The insanity defense was most commonly perceived as overused and a cop-out, albeit necessary in some situations. Support was found both for and against psychopathic individuals utilizing the insanity defense, respectively based on either perceived impairment or a need for them to be punished for their offenses.Item The Severity of Mental Health Effects on Capital Trial Jurors(2017-05) Hawkins Maras, Robin A.Death qualified jurors, selected to serve on capital trials, hold an unparalleled role in the criminal justice system. Despite data suggesting that serving as a death qualified juror may be extremely stressful, studies exploring the severity of the mental health effects of capital jury duty are limited. This study, utilizing a qualitative content analysis, addresses the question of whether the severity of capital jurors’ mental health symptoms rises to clinically significant levels and thus, warrants intervening action by the criminal justice system. Through the analysis of six prior studies, this research examined the mental health effects triggered by excessive stress in capital jurors and identified twelve predominant themes. The prior studies determined that the clinical significance of major depression in capital jurors ranges from 0 to 19%, and the clinical significance of posttraumatic stress disorder ranges from 0 to 26%. Thus, while prior research confirms that capital jurors may experience negative mental health effects, the severity of the effects, as well as the length of time the effects impact each juror, varies to the extent that a definitive conclusion regarding the need for intervening action by the criminal justice system cannot be determined.Item Factors that Contribute to Juvenile Delinquency(2017-05) Crosby, OliviaThere are a variety of factors contributing to the delinquency of juveniles. This study examined Los Angeles Risk and Resiliency Checkup (LARCC) to determine the frequency and percentage of protective and risk factors regarding delinquency, education, family, peers, and substance use and the individual. This study included 40 LARRC records from juveniles on probation at Los Angeles Probation South Central Gang Unit. Risk factors that contributed to juvenile delinquency ranged from absentee parents, significant crime in the neighborhood, gang affiliation, and drug and alcohol use. Protective factors that helped juveniles resist delinquent behavior ranged from a supportive community, positive interaction with teachers, family support, pro-social peer relations, and able to manage stress well. Results indicated no significant correlation between the number of prior arrests and the risk level for male offenders.Item META-ANALYSIS OF VETERANS WITH POSTTRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER AND THE ASSOCIATION WITH CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR(2018-05) Johnson, TiaPosttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is one of the most common disabling disorders present among returning military personnel, especially those in combat. Many veterans will not receive treatment for PTSD due to the stigma and lack of understanding from the community and their family. Without the proper education and coping skills, one could turn to substance abuse or suicidality. More recently it has been reported that there is an association between veterans with PTSD and criminal or aggressive behavior; to what extent, the results have varied. This is accompanied by an alarming rate of incarcerated veterans. Therefore, it is important to bridge the gap between veterans with PTSD and criminal or aggressive behavior to construct effective intervention and treatment programs. A Meta-Analysis was conducted on studies that evaluated Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), and Operation New Dawn (OND) military veterans diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and the prevalence of their involvement in the criminal justice system. The studies contained in the analysis were published from January 2007 to November 2017 with participants who are former military. The review supported previous research in that there is an increased rate of violence and aggression among veterans with PTSD.Item Resiliency Factors Among Youth(2018-05) Reyes, Lindsey MarieThe psychological outcomes of children who experience adverse life events can include critical developmental impairments such as adopting maladaptive coping skills, conforming behaviors according to the behaviors of others, inappropriately responding to social cues, and even becoming perpetrators of the same maltreatment that was committed against them as children. Under similar circumstances, studies have found that some children do not display such patterns; these children are capable of resisting the temptations of associating with delinquent social groups and demonstrate resilient characteristics such as impulse control, strong problem-solving and socialization skills, and provide themselves with an abundance of supportive resources that assist in their recovery. Utilizing a case study design in which a triangulation of three sources was gathered, the common characteristics among adolescent youth who appeared to be resilient towards an adverse life event(s) was evaluated. First, a 25 item Likert-type survey was administered to assess the participants’ initial responses to questions about resiliency factors. Then, semi-structured interviews were conducted with a set of five open-ended questions. Finally, a journal was given to each participant and the participants were prompted to answer four open-ended questions. All three sources of information were analyzed and coded for themes between each participant’s written, verbal, and survey responses in order to categorize the key elements. This study was able to identify common characteristics amongst adolescents who showed resilience after adverse life events. It was found that psychological treatment was extremely beneficial to an adolescent youth’s psychological healing and increased his or her chances of obtaining resilience towards adversity compared to those who did not.Item EXAMINING PSYCHOPATHY ON A CONTINUUM AND THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ANXIETY AND PREMEDITATION METHODS OF SERIAL OFFENDERS(2018-05) Ordonez, GabriellePsychopathy is a personality disorder that is characterized by a failure to inhibit impulsive behavior and emotional deficits in personality. Previous literature has depicted psychopathy as an untreatable personality disorder stemming from Cleckley’s research, case studies, and literature such as The Mask of Sanity indicating that psychopaths do not experience neurotic symptoms such as anxiety, depression, or any other disorders that contain an abundance of emotions or “feelings”. Due to Cleckley’s research and case studies proving less concise in determining that psychopaths do not experience anxiety, there is room for interpretation in regards to how psychopaths experience neurotic manifestations such as anxiety and the intensity, duration, and motivation behind it; stemming from anticipatory anxiety and persisting throughout premeditation methods, various crimes, and continuing in a cycle. Through the use of case studies, interviews, and archival data from different infamous serial offenders such as John Wayne Gacy, Westley Allan Dodd, and Edmund Kemper, psychopathic traits and premeditation methods in regards to anxiety are examined. An anxiety and psychopathy checklist was created to determine what symptoms that appear psychopathic may coincide with anxiety and to exemplify how anxiety symptoms may be exhibited differently in psychopaths.