Dangerousness: A paradigm for exploring some issues in law and psychology.

Abstract

The social phenomenon of "dangerousness" is discussed in terms of legal and social responses and in terms of potential contributions by psychology and other behavioral and social sciences toward increased understanding and more effective coping by society with such social problems. Social scientists need to become more concerned with the study of dangerous behaviors and practices in our society, especially in light of the disproportionate injury and harm suffered by socially disadvantaged groups. Although values and ideologies are involved with perspectives on social problems, preferences that are essentially ideological should not be presented under the trappings of "science."There have been a number of developments in recent years which indicate closer research and professional interactions between the fields of lay? and psychology. The law continues to reflect increasing interest in the contributions of the behavioral and social sciences, and empirical legal research has flourished; judicial opinions frequently reference psychological and other related research, and collaborative research, teaching, and consultative endeavors involving legal scholars and social scientists have become quite common. And, as a more widely visible indication that the substantive area of "law and psychology" has indeed achieved notable recognition within the discipline, the year 1976 saw, for the first time, a chapter in the Annual Review of Psychology addressed to the topic of psychology and law (Tapp, 1976).With these developments as background, this article focuses on the phenomenon of "dangerousness" as it is addressed by our legal and social institutions, as well as on the role and potential contributions of psychology and other behavioral and social sciences to this important subject. The topic of "dangerousness" serves as a paradigm illustrating broader issues pertaining to interactions between 224 • MARCH 1978 • AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGIST

Violent criminality and self-compassion

“…Research indicates that previous criminal behavior is a positive predictor of future criminal behavior (Mossman, 1994;Shah, 1978;Wolfgang, 1978). Further, Mossman (1994) demonstrated that criminal history was a stronger predictor of future criminal behavior than clinical judgments.…”

“…Further, Mossman (1994) demonstrated that criminal history was a stronger predictor of future criminal behavior than clinical judgments. In addition, research suggests that the probability for re-arrest increases with each successive conviction (Shah, 1978;Wolfgang, 1978). Despite this evidence, many researchers have argued that criminal trajectories are not set and that criminal behavior may be discontinued at some point in a criminals' life course (Hollin, 1999;Losel, 1995;Nagin & Paternoster, 1993;Polaschek & Collie, 2004;Sampson & Laub, 2003).…”

Erkek Hükümlülerde Tekrar Suç İşlemeye İlişkin Risk Faktörlerinin Değerlendirilmesi

“…Son dönemde yapılan araştırmalar, risk faktörleri ve saldırgan davranış arasındaki istatistikî bağlantıyı ortaya koyabilmeye başlamıştır (1). Risk değerlendirmesi, bir kişinin işleyebileceği saldırgan eylemler hakkında spekülasyon yapma ve bu eylemleri önlemek ve olumsuz sonuçlarını en aza indirmektir şeklinde tanımlanmaktadır.…”

Reactions to anger and anxiety-provoking events: Psychopathic and nonpsychopathic groups compared

“…Evidence for this link is, however, contradictory. Psychopathic profiles on the MMPI have been predictive of violence in some studies (e.g., Davis & Sines, 1971), but not others (e.g., Buck & Graham, 1978).A number of authors have commented upon the limitations of the personality model as a predictor of violent behavior (e.g., Shah, 1978). This has led to the notion that traits refer to average behaviors and that predictions of violent behavior would be improved by taking into account the person-situation interaction (e.g., Mischel, 1973).…”

“…A number of authors have commented upon the limitations of the personality model as a predictor of violent behavior (e.g., Shah, 1978). This has led to the notion that traits refer to average behaviors and that predictions of violent behavior would be improved by taking into account the person-situation interaction (e.g., Mischel, 1973).…”