HOW DIVERSITY IMPACTS FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY AND THE LAW

Appreciating how diversity impacts individuals is an ethical obligation for forensic psychology professionals. Diversity includes a broad number of topics, including—but not limited to—race, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, language, physical ability, social economic status, geographical location, political beliefs, religion, and culture. For this Discussion, you will identify and select a recent criminal case from the local news (e.g., newspaper article or television report, etc.) and consider how diversity may have impacted the case, or how it might impact the case in the future. For example, if you chose to review a criminal case from your local news about a young woman who was raped and the suspect is unknown, you could discuss how the victim’s race, gender, and age may impact a jury’s impression of her and the veracity of her testimony. Or you might consider how her socio-economic status impacts her opportunity to receive mental health and medical treatments. Likewise, you could also explore how her religion may impact how she copes with the trauma. Review this week’s Learning Resources to deepen your understanding of how diversity impacts forensic psychology and the law. Identify and select a recent criminal case from the local news (e.g., newspaper article or television report, etc.), and then consider how diversity may have impacted the case or how it might impact the case in the future. Description of the case you selected, including the relevant citations and URL links Explanation of how one or more aspects of diversity (i.e., gender, religious beliefs, gender identify, race, culture, socio-economic status) may have impacted the case, or how it might impact the case in the future Description of how you, as a forensic psychology professional, can help promote diversity, reduce bias, and help catalyze positive social change Note: Your posts should be substantial (2–4 paragraphs), supported with scholarly evidence from your research and/or the Learning Resources, and properly cited using APA style. Personal anecdotes are acceptable within meaningful responses but cannot stand alone as a response. LEARNING RESOURCES: Kirmayer, L. J., Rousseau, C., & Lashley, M. (2007). The place of culture in forensic psychiatry Download The place of culture in forensic psychiatry. Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law, 35(1), 98–102. http://jaapl(dot)org/content/jaapl/35/1/98.full.pdf Guidelines for Forensic Psychology Professionals American Psychological Association. (2021). APA guidelines for psychological practice with sexual minority persons Download APA guidelines for psychological practice with sexual minority persons. https://www(dot)apa(dot)org/about/policy/psychological-sexual-minority-persons.pdf American Psychological Association. (2019). APA guidelines on race and ethnicity in psychology Download APA guidelines on race and ethnicity in psychology. https://www(dot)apa(dot)org/about/policy/guidelines-race-ethnicity.pdf American Psychological Association. (2011, January 1). Specialty guidelines for forensic psychologyLinks to an external site.. https://www(dot)apa(dot)org/practice/guidelines/forensic-psychology