Thesis (M.S.)--University of North Texas, Aug., 2009. / Title from title page display. Includes bibliographical references.

Section A: The aim of this paper was to review and provide a summary of the empirical and theoretical literature on risk assessment, recidivism and theories of offending in relation to intellectually disabled (ID) sex offenders. This work is still in its infancy when compared with the non-intellectually disabled sex offending and risk assessment research and it was therefore important to include an overview of the general sex offending literature, to establish how this relates to the more recent developments in the study of ID sex offenders. Section B is an exploratory validation study using a longitudinal cohort design. The purpose of the study was to explore the criterion validity of the ARMIDILO-S (Assessment of Risk and Manageability of Intellectually Disabled Individuals who Offend - Sexually) risk assessment tool. The study investigated the tool by using it with a clinical population of adult men with an intellectual disability, who had taken part in sex offender group treatment, due to their sex offending behaviour. Section C is a critical appraisal of the process of undertaking this research. It is a reflective and critical account of what skills and lessons the author has learnt, what could have been done differently, and how it might affect clinical work and future research.

Recent studies with offenders have identified a growing distrust in psychologists and that this may be due to the changing role of clinical psychologists working within these settings. In addition to the traditional role of alleviating psychological distress, psychologists in these settings also have the additional role of providing expert risk assessment. Clinical psychologists working in forensic mental health settings (FMHS) are also tasked with this ‘dual role’. To date, there is no research exploring the impact of this dual role in FMHS. Semi-structured interviews were carried out with eight inpatients in two medium secure units. A grounded theory analysis produced a model of how trust was built and relationships developed. Despite the ‘dual role’ held in these settings, with an approach that is transparent, open, collaborative, and patient-centred; service users are able to build trusting relationships. Furthermore, they report making positive therapeutic gains. Where ‘coercive’ experiences were described, this appeared to be a representation of more distant times, with recent experiences being described as more satisfactory. Clinical psychologists also seem to be placed in a position of ‘mediator’ amongst the wider care team. Further research is required to explore these findings and whether they apply in other secure settings.

Research supports the notion that weapons impair eyewitnesses' memory for visual information (weapon focus effect). Pickel and Betts (1999) found that the presence of a weapon can also interfere with witnesses' memory for auditory information. The primary objective of the current study was to replicate Pickel and Betts's (1999) findings, to extend their findings by implementing different methodological procedures, and to control for a confound associated with their study. A secondary goal was to further investigate the impact that arousal and novelty have on the weapon focus effect. Participants watched a videotape depicting a story about a man stalking a woman. The man approached the woman holding either a switchblade knife or a black ballpoint pen. The man's conversation varied so that it was either easy or difficult to comprehend. Participants then completed questionnaires assessing their arousal level, memory for visual and auditory information, and perceived unusualness of the object carried by the target. [n addition, they attempted to identify the target in a photo and audio lineup. Results indicate that the presence of a weapon does not affect memory for vocal characteristics or for semantic content of speech when the content of the message is rather simple. As the complexity of the message increases, however, a weapon will interfere with witnesses' memory for the content. Also, results support the hypothesis that the weapon focus effect occurs because the weapon is perceived to be unusual and that increased levels of arousal are not necessary to obtain the effect. Analyses revealed no significant effects or interactions related to witnesses' ability to identify the man in the photo or audio lineup. The results supported Pickel and Betts's (1999) conclusions, thus increasing our knowledge concerning the reliability of eyewitness testimony. / Department of Psychological Science

This thesis describes research about potential jurors' beliefs about children as witnesses. Jurors' knowledge of memory, suggestibility and child sexual abuse was collected and analysed. The aim was to identify strengths or weaknesses in jurors' knowledge to further inform discussion on whether experts should provide evidence to jurors about children's memory, suggestibility and behaviour, in cases which involve child witnesses. This research showed that jurors from both Australia and America had correct beliefs about some characteristics of child witnesses, however they also had incorrect beliefs. The main areas where both Australian and American jurors' beliefs were incorrect was in the suggestibility and interrogation category, and the memory and ability to testify category; however both had some incorrect beliefs with respect to reactions to sexual abuse and disclosure about sexual abuse categories. These findings support the proposition that expert evidence would be beneficial in improving jurors' knowledge of child witnesses, particularly in the areas of children's suggestibility and responses to interrogation. Jurors' assessment of children's testimony is fundamental in some criminal cases, and therefore information obtained in this study has implications for any case where a child witness testifies.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Tulsa, 1993. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 112-117).

Este trabalho investigou o instituto da guarda compartilhada, a partir de uma revisão de literatura e dois estudos empíricos. No primeiro estudo empírico, realizou-se um estudo de caso coletivo com onze operadores do Direito do Rio Grande do Sul. Buscou-se investigar a perspectiva desses profissionais sobre a guarda compartilhada, a partir de sua prática. Os resultados indicaram que a guarda compartilhada parece ser o modelo que melhor atende aos interesses da criança, por considerar a participação conjunta dos genitores, embora ainda seja considerada polêmica quando há litígio entre os pais. No segundo estudo empírico, foi realizado um estudo de casos coletivos com quatro famílias que optaram pela guarda compartilhada. As díades parentais responderam a uma entrevista semiestruturada baseada na literatura e no Modelo da Estrutura Interna e Contexto Ecológico da Coparentalidade de Feinberg (2003), além da Escala de Relação Coparental (ERC), para pais e mães separados/divorciados. Entre os achados foi possível constatar que a aplicação da guarda compartilhada foi considerada como a melhor opção, embora também tenham sido constatadas dificuldades. A coparentalidade entre as díades parentais se revelou positiva na maior parte do tempo, sendo importante no ajustamento dos filhos após a separação. Diversos aspectos dos dois estudos estão em consonância, entre os quais, a dificuldade dos profissionais da área jurídica em orientar seus clientes sobre as diferentes modalidades de guarda. Entre as díades parentais foi possível identificar que a guarda compartilhada vinha sendo possível, mesmo em relacionamentos difíceis. O papel do pai, em relação às décadas anteriores, como mais participante e engajado na educação e nos cuidados com a prole, também apareceu como ponto em comum nos dois estudos empíricos. Destaca-se a importância de ampliar o debate sobre essa modalidade de guarda, bem como buscar alternativas para intervenções junto às famílias em parceria com o judiciário. / This study investigated joint custody, from a literature review and two empirical studies. In the first empirical study, there was a collective case study with eleven law professionals from Rio Grande do Sul. We sought to investigate these professionals perspectives on joint custody, from their practice. The results indicated that joint custody seems to be the model that fits better the interests of the child, considering the joint participation of the parents, although it is still considered controversial when there is a dispute between them. In the second empirical study, a study of collective cases was conducted with four families in joint custody. Parental dyads responded to a semi structured interview based on the literature and the Internal Structure and Ecological Context of Coparenting (Feinberg, 2003), and the Coparenting Relationship Scale (CRS) for separated/divorced parents. Among the results it was found that the application of joint custody was considered as the best option, although they have also been observed difficulties. Coparenting among parental dyads resulted positive in most of the cases, being important in the adjustment of children after divorce. Several aspects of the two studies are congruent, including the difficulty of the law professionals to advise their clients on the different types of custody. Among parental dyads it was identified that joint custody was being possible even in difficult relationships. The father's role as participant and more engaged in education and care to the child also appeared as a common point in the two empirical studies. The present study highlights the importance of broadening the debate on this type of custody and seek alternatives for interventions with families in partnership with the judiciary.

A presente dissertação teve como objetivo cartografar acontecimentos que atravessam o devir de mães biológicas pelo resgate dos filhos que foram colocados em famílias substitutas e figuraram em processos de adoção. Para tal foram analisados três processos judiciais de adoção com contestação. A partir do referencial histórico genealógico foucaultiano o instituto da adoção foi problematizado, evidenciando práticas-discursivas que vem naturalizando o axioma abandono e adoção e alçando o instituto da adoção ao patamar de política pública, ou seja, questões que deveriam ser tratadas na esfera do Poder Executivo são transferidas para o Judiciário. A descrição dos casos apresentou litígios em torno da filiação, privilegiando as discussões acerca da instituição maternidade e da resistência empreendida por mulheres-mãe pauperizadas, contra o processo de exclusão, através das contestações às ações de adoção de seus filhos. A análise de conteúdo foi a ferramenta utilizada para interpretar e tecer considerações acerca dos casos narrados. Através dessa metodologia evidenciaram-se, nos discursos dos especialistas, os atravessamentos de ordem política, social e histórica na produção de subjetividades, que vem forjando a imagem de um segmento da população menos humano a mãe desnaturada. / The objective of this dissertation is to chart the movement of biological mothers to recover their children that were placed in substitute families, and toke part in adoption judicial processes. To do this, three contested processes were analyzed. Using Foucaults historical genealogy, the institution of adoption was problematic, and demonstrated arguments that have been naturalizing the axiom abandonment and adoption and raising the institution of adoption to the level of public policy, in other words, questions that should be dealt with in the sphere of the Executive branch are transferred to the Judicial. The description of these cases presented litigations regarding filiations, favoring arguments concerning the maternal institution and the resistance undertaken by poor mothers against the process of exclusion, by contesting the action of adoption of their children. The analysis of this content was the tool used to interpret and weave considerations concerning the cases described. Through this methodology, it will be shown in the argument of specialists, through political orders, social and historical subjectivity, that have forged the image of a segment of the population less human the malnourished mother.

Death qualification is a problematic aspect of capital trials, as death qualified jurors have higher conviction rates than non-death qualified jurors. The current study examines whether the death qualification process itself affects juror decision-making via attitude salience effects. Participants (n=90) recruited from the venire juror pool at the Santa Ana Superior Court were asked to read a trial transcript and decide guilt or innocence and whether they would sentence the defendant to death. Half of the participants were given a survey determining death qualification before they read the trial (making death qualification salient), while the other half were given the survey at the end of the study (not salient condition). Although the results do not support the theory that the death qualification process biases jurors’ verdict and sentencing decisions, they do suggest that the proportion, attitudes, and demographics of non-death qualified jurors have changed substantially since initial research on death qualification was undertaken.

A presente dissertação teve como objetivo cartografar acontecimentos que atravessam o devir de mães biológicas pelo resgate dos filhos que foram colocados em famílias substitutas e figuraram em processos de adoção. Para tal foram analisados três processos judiciais de adoção com contestação. A partir do referencial histórico genealógico foucaultiano o instituto da adoção foi problematizado, evidenciando práticas-discursivas que vem naturalizando o axioma abandono e adoção e alçando o instituto da adoção ao patamar de política pública, ou seja, questões que deveriam ser tratadas na esfera do Poder Executivo são transferidas para o Judiciário. A descrição dos casos apresentou litígios em torno da filiação, privilegiando as discussões acerca da instituição maternidade e da resistência empreendida por mulheres-mãe pauperizadas, contra o processo de exclusão, através das contestações às ações de adoção de seus filhos. A análise de conteúdo foi a ferramenta utilizada para interpretar e tecer considerações acerca dos casos narrados. Através dessa metodologia evidenciaram-se, nos discursos dos especialistas, os atravessamentos de ordem política, social e histórica na produção de subjetividades, que vem forjando a imagem de um segmento da população menos humano a mãe desnaturada. / The objective of this dissertation is to chart the movement of biological mothers to recover their children that were placed in substitute families, and toke part in adoption judicial processes. To do this, three contested processes were analyzed. Using Foucaults historical genealogy, the institution of adoption was problematic, and demonstrated arguments that have been naturalizing the axiom abandonment and adoption and raising the institution of adoption to the level of public policy, in other words, questions that should be dealt with in the sphere of the Executive branch are transferred to the Judicial. The description of these cases presented litigations regarding filiations, favoring arguments concerning the maternal institution and the resistance undertaken by poor mothers against the process of exclusion, by contesting the action of adoption of their children. The analysis of this content was the tool used to interpret and weave considerations concerning the cases described. Through this methodology, it will be shown in the argument of specialists, through political orders, social and historical subjectivity, that have forged the image of a segment of the population less human the malnourished mother.