Anuario De Psicologia Juridica最新文献

The present study aimed to analyze the stability of the memory of a stressful event (medical examination within a hospital setting) over time in young people (age range 12 to 21, M_age = 15.11 years old, SD = 3.047) with mild or moderate intellectual disability (IQ = 54.32, SD = 13.47). The results show a stability of the memory of what happened an hour and a week after the event in relation to the people involved, the apparatus used, and the parts of the body explored. No interaction effects were found between the stability of memory over time and the level of intellectual disability. The level of disability (mild or moderate) only affected the description of the doctor who performed the exploration and the explored parts of the body, showing better results for people with mild disability. In addition, the results highlight the relationship between memory and IQ, especially verbal IQ.

In order to improve the understanding of risk factors involved in sexual crimes committed by adolescents, data was compiled about 63 young offenders who had committed at least one sexual offense and had served an internment judicial measure in Madrid Region for this crime between 2006 and 2015. To explore possible differences, two groups were established according to an age-based classification of the victim, distinguishing between adolescents who sexually offend children (AM) and adolescents who sexually assault peers or older victims (AI). The results indicate that the AM group presents a profile characterized by a higher victimization and social isolation, while the AI group is characterized by a greater presence of other antisocial and aggressive behaviors. Finally, the implications of the results for therapeutic intervention in these adolescents are discussed.

The objective of this study was to explore age-related differences in the phenomenal characteristics of long-term memories of the terrorist attacks that took place in Madrid (Spain) on March 11, 2004. One hundred and ninety-six individuals participated in this experiment: 92 were 9.60 years old on average and 104 were 39.41 years old on average at the time of the event. To evaluate their real memories of the event twelve years later, the Phenomenological Questionnaire on Autobiographical Memory was used. Differences were shown between the two groups in terms of memory quality, emotions associated with the event, and accessibility of the information remembered. Results were also represented using high-dimensional visualization (HDV) graphs, supporting the assertion that long-term event memories have different characteristics depending on the age of the individual at the time the event took place. Memories in adult people meet the criteria to be considered flashbulb memories, while in the case of the younger people this kind of memory does not seem to emerge. Young people are probably less capable of evaluating the consequences of an event which results in reduced emotional arousal and a different elaboration of the event memory in comparison to older adults.

Psychopathy is characterised by emotional disturbances that affect interpersonal behaviour and decision-making. The objective of this paper is to review the most recent contributions to the field of neuroscience of psychopathy and the implications that this disorder has on the criminal legal field. In regards to this last aspect, we evaluate the issue of psychopaths’ accountability and the incidence of psychopathy in many other penal institutions. In terms of the contributions of neuroscience, we will focus on the orbitofrontal (ofPFC) and ventromedial (vmPFC) regions of the frontal lobes and on the amygdala. Data spanning from the nineteenth century to the present indicate that damage to the ofPFC and vmPFC is the basis of behaviours that have been referred to as pseudopsychopathic. The earlier during brain development the damage occurs, the more likely these behaviours will resemble those of psychopaths. The damage to the amygdala is rather related to impairments in the ability to distinguish facial expressions of fear and the capacity to feel emotions. Damage to ofPFC, vmPFC, and amygdala are highly relevant to the expression of pseudopsychopathic behaviours.

Recently, the dearth of evidence supporting nonverbal-emotional approach to lie detection has favored the development of cognitive orientation. According to cognitive orientation, lying is cognitively more complex than truth telling, such that an artificial increase of cognitive difficulty during an interview will lead liars to show indicators of cognitive overload. In this paper we argue that lying is not always more cognitively difficult than telling the truth. Automatically inferring deception from the observation of cognitive load indicators may lead to erroneous judgments. Practitioners must know how memory and the human cognitive system work, so they can understand the actual meaning of cognitive load indicators. Scientists should develop cognitive models of deception to guide their research, and should base their research hypotheses on specific cognitive mechanisms and processes. Finally, because emotions influence cognition, the role of emotions in lie detection cannot be neglected.

Legal psychology has become interested in the neurobiology of agression and violence because in many cases criminal behaviour has violent components. The objective of this review is triple: to give a definition of both concepts; to show the different kinds of aggression (impulsive vs. instrumental) described in the scientific literature; and to analyse the neural structures that have been associated with aggression through lesion or neuroimaging studies. This review highlights mainly: a) subcortical structures such as hypothalamus and brain stem, where aggression is generated, and the amygdala, involved in processing emotionally salient stimuli; b) cortical structures such as the prefrontal cortex (which includes the orbitofrontal cortex, ventromedial prefrontal cortex, and anterior cingulate cortex) which seem to be hypofunctional in the aggressive subjects. Finally, studies about the role of the neurotransmitter serotonin and its role in aggressive behavior are reviewed.

Two theoretical approaches have been recently proposed to explain why some individuals are willing to die and kill for their group or for their beliefs. Identity fusion is a visceral connection with a group that predicts willingness to perform extreme behavior for the group. Sacred values theory suggests that some people have a visceral connection with a value that makes them consider that value as sacred, and predicts willingness for costly sacrifices for such values. The Devoted Actors model postulates that those who hold certain sacred values and that are fused with the group that shares such values will be willing to conduct sacrifices exceptionally costly and extreme for their beliefs and for their group. The current paper analyzes these theories and the Devoted Actors model from a point of view of their relation to terrorism.

The present work aimed to investigate the propensity towards criminal homicide using a broad approach, encompassing theories based on socioeconomic frustration, decision-making processes, emotional attachment, testosterone, moral development, moral values, and the culture of honor. A total of 160 adult Brazilian men completed a questionnaire, various psychological tests, and right-hand digit ratio measurements. The findings discarded all theories tested, except the culture of honor. It is concluded that, in the region, public policies for the reduction of the rate of homicides must be specific to that crime and address cultural issues regarding honor and moral satisfaction.

Treating female offenders is a major challenge of criminal justice, psychology, and social intervention practitioners. The rates of arrests and convictions have increased, leading to a need to provide services for women prosecuted for violent crimes. However, the available knowledge, intervention programs, and validated tools are limited in the Spanish context. This review aims to provide an overview of the international context regarding the intervention with violent female offenders, focusing on the case of intimate partner violence and sexual violence. The literature shows that low prevalences limit studies about the effectiveness of interventions, victimization seems a relevant topic in the treatment of female offenders, risk assessment is very complicated due to the low recidivism, and attrition in programs is very common as it is in men. The implications for the development of the topic in the Spanish context are discussed.

This paper presents the results of an evaluation from an exploratory study, developed in a community with high rates of crime in the city of Porto. The study objectives were to obtain knowledge of that community, about their needs, the available resources, the social dynamics, the perception of insecurity, the victimization situations, and the actions developed in those situations. Using one questionnaire, we developed an exploratory, descriptive, cross-sectional study based on self-reports of 139 individuals of this community, both sexes and aged between 15 and 84 years old (M = 41.4 years, SD = 21.84). The results highlight a security feeling, although the perception of an increase of crime. Drug trafficking is one of the most common and feared crimes. There is a demand for more policing and greater proximity to citizens.