Clinical Psychology

M’Naghten ruleThe oldest standard for deter-
mining the insanity of a defendant. This rule
requires the defense to prove that at the time of
the unlawful act, the defendant’s reasoning was so
impaired by“a disease of the mind”that he or she
either did not appreciate what he or she was doing
or did not comprehend that it was wrong.

peremptory challengesA set number of chal-
lenges allowed each side (prosecution and defense)
during voir dire to remove jurors suspected of bias
againstthatside.

voir direA legal term that refers to that part of the
trialinwhichajuryisimpaneled,orselected.

voluntary commitmentThecircumstancein

which the individual agrees to be admitted to a

psychiatric hospital and is permitted to leave at any

time.

witness preparationHelping witnesses present

their testimony more effectively without changing

the facts to which their testimony is directed.

Forensic psychologists may be consulted to assist

with many aspects of witness preparation (e.g.,

preparing them for the sheer experience of being a

witness in the courtroom; making recommenda-

tions as to their appearance, the manner in which

they present facts, etc.).

WEB SITES OF INTEREST

To visit any of the following Web sites, go to
http://www.wadsworth.com and click Links.

19-1American Psychological Association Division
41: The American Psychology-Law Society
http://www.ap-ls.org/

19-2Careers and Training in Psychology and Law
http://www.ap-ls.org/education/Education
Training.php

19-3Links to Graduate Programs in Psychology
and Law
http://www.ap-ls.org/education/Graduate
Programs.php

19-4Specialty Guidelines for Forensic Psycholo-

gists

http://www.ap-ls.org/aboutpsychlaw/

SpecialtyGuidelines.php

19-5Eyewitness Identification Procedures:

Recommendations for Lineups and Photo-

spreads

http://www.psychology.iastate.edu/

~glwells/Wells_articles_pdf/whitepaperpdf.

pdf

FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY 561