This assignment supports this unit’s readings and discussions on ethical standards and principles for juvenile offenders. You will select one of two case studies focused on the ethical concerns and treatment of juveniles to complete this assignment.
By successfully completing this assignment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the following course competencies:
Describe the field of forensic psychology.
Explain a course of action for treatment that may be recommended by a forensic psychologist in the selected case study.
Apply psychological principles to topics in forensic psychology.
Apply psychological principles and concepts to the selected case study.
Apply scholarly research findings to topics in forensic psychology.
Explain how scholarly research findings support the course of action for treatment recommended by the forensic psychologist in the selected case study.
Apply psychological and legal ethics in the field of forensic psychology.
Explain the ethical issues faced by the forensic psychologist in the selected case study.
Apply ethical principles and standards to address the ethical concerns in the selected case study.
Communicate in a manner that is scholarly, professional, and consistent with expectations for professionals in the field of psychology.
Communicate clearly with appropriate purpose, organization, tone, and sentence structure.
Cite the source using author and year.
Assignment Instructions
For this assignment, review the Juvenile Case Studies Treatment and Ethics media piece. Choose one of the case studies, either Kyle or Jessica, to use for your assignment. Describe acts of the case in your own words as needed to complete the paper. (Please do not copy and paste the case study into your paper). You may also want to review Table 2.2 Comparison of the Three Current Major Denitions of Mental Retardation on page 81 of your Introduction to Forensic Psychology text, which provides an overview of mental IQ.
Write a paper in which you respond to the following:
Applying relevant psychology principles and concepts, explain a course of action for treatment that may be recommend in court. For example, should the forensic psychologist recommend that the individual remain in jail and be charged as an adult, be adjudicated as a juvenile and receive inpatient treatment at a secure facility, or be adjudicated as a juvenile and receive outpatient treatment?
Explain how scholarly research findings support your thinking on the course of action for treatment recommended by the forensic psychologist.
Consider the ethics of the case study in general, and consider the ethical concerns for the forensic psychologist in the case. Due to the age of the client, explain the ethical issues faced by the forensic psychologist.
Apply ethical principles and standards to address the ethical concerns in the selected case study.
Communicate clearly with appropriate purpose, organization, tone, and sentence structure.
Cite the source using author and year.
Submission Requirements
Written communication: Written communication is in professional style with correct grammar, usage, and mechanics.
Resources: Support your recommendations with information from professional sources, including your textbook and the APA Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct. Use a minimum of 4 sources (at least two professional and at least two scholarly).
APA formatting: Resources and citations are formatted according to APA style and formatting.
Length: 45 double-spaced, typed pages.
Font and font size: Times New Roman, 12 point.
My topic
Describe the field of forensic psychology.
Explain a course of action for treatment that may be recommended by a forensic psychologist in the selected case study.
Case study I chose:
Jessica is a 17 year old female who has been charged with robbing a local convenience store. Jessica has been arrested twice prior to this arrest for other delinquent behavior (truancy and fighting at school). Jessica has had behavior issues at school and her grades range from D’s to F’s. She misses school often and has been arrested for truancy in the past. Jessica has also been in over 10 fights within the last year at school and has been arrested for assaulting another student with a bat. Jessica has been known to associate with other delinquent peers who have similar histories at school.
This time, upon being arrested, Jessica was taken to adult lock up/jail. Jessica was placed in a holding cell with other adult females while waiting for her hearing and was assaulted (fighting) by a 25 year old female while there. Jessica became very depressed and was referred to a forensic psychologist. After be evaluated, it was determined that Jessica is the oldest child out of seven and that she tries to be the provider for her family as her mother is on drugs and is not around much and her father died when she was 13. Jessica has been in and out of facilities, but has not been to a rehabilitation facility.
For this case, Forensic Psychologists should:
Consider the ethics of the case in general and the unique considerations due to the age and circumstances of the client.
Judge how ethical principles and standards can be applied to address ethical concerns and treatment.
Adhere to the APA Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct to make professional recommendations for the best treatment approach of a juvenile.
Consider what concerns there are for juveniles in adult jails.
Determine if Jessica’s age is sufficient enough criterion for lock up in an adult jail.
