Rebekah Wilkins

Lindsay Granger

ENGL 1010

15 Nov 2017

Forensic Psychology

In a world where no two minds are alike, we have yet to discover a set thinking process

for people of similar scenarios regarding civil and criminal cases. Being involved in a criminal

investigation requires months and years of intense training and work to be done for things to be

done correctly especially when coming in direct contact with the criminal and the crime itself.

Forensic Psychologists fill in holes by “narrowing down the suspect list or at least provide a

motive for a crime.” (CIP). Although it has similarities to other careers within psychology

boundaries, this career requires extended periods of dedication and work to meet the standard as

well as experience in other various subjects.

Forensic Psychology deals with a couple of different subjects and combines them. Two of

the most prominent subjects are Psychology and Criminal Justice. “A common course of action

on the undergraduate level is to major in psychology with a minor in criminal justice,

criminology or pre-law.” (LHTB). A couple of the courses required under the psychology major

include various classes under the categories of: Behavioral and Systems Neuroscience, Clinical

Psychology, Cognitive Psychology, and Social Psychology. Courses such as Psychopathology of

serial killers and terrorist agents are also recommended. Classes under these categories consist of

reading and writing reports on these subjects as well as other works that the instructor might

have for the student. “The minor in Criminal Justice requires 18 credits of course work in
criminal justice, including Crm J 101, 201, 205, and 330.” (WSU). Once these prerequisites are

completed, enrollment into an accredited doctoral program is necessary where 100 minimum

hours of education and 1000 hours of postdoctoral forensic psychology experience is required.

The intersection between psychology and criminal justice creates a shared education

between Forensic Psychology and other careers. Forensic Psychology consists of Sociology,

Criminology, and Psychology; therefore, certain courses and knowledge is shared between each

genre and facilitates switching majors if wanted and continue to be on the right track of

becoming a forensic psychologist. Obtaining a major in any of these subjects requires English

classes in which a student must be able to write well and clearly. A student majoring in any one

of these genres also must be able to have efficient communication skills as well as these are very

people oriented genres. However, despite the similarities, the careers are still significantly

different when it comes down to what they must focus and deal with. This profession requires a

fair amount of communication whether it is with other peers involving a crime scene, judges,

lawyers, or even criminals themselves. Communication is also a key part of other psychology,

sociology, or other genres. One must be able to verbalize and communicate clearly amongst one

another to get to the main point of a task. Being proficient in speaking and writing is an

important aspect to careers such as these.

A forensic psychologist must have certain skills and strategies to assess tasks placed

ahead of them. Forensic Psychologists are typically the ones that evaluate the sanity,

competency, as well as other factors that can affect the trial of a criminal. In many cases, a

forensic psychologist must present an unbiased testimony to the court. In preparation of this

testimony, a forensic psychologist must pick up certain information and data from the

evaluations made on the subject. They must be able to phrase questions in a way that will present
a certain reaction with the subject. Forensic psychologists must also use surrounding

environment at the time of the crime to understand the subject’s motive and use this knowledge

to establish whether the subject would recommit the crime. Using proper communication skills

and knowledge of the human thought processes these skills aid in the establishment and content

of the testimony. These skills help connect parts together and hopefully can either conclude, or

lead to the conclusion of the situation.

Although this career may not be the easiest or shortest time to achieve, it can lead to a life

filled with different interesting factors. The knowledge obtained can also create better interaction

between people by using better communication skills. Education received from the multiple

courses also leads to a higher knowledge of understanding the differences in the mind and

thinking. It also leads to a higher understanding of people and criminals due to the fusion of

psychology and criminology.

Work Cited

“Forensic Psychology Careers.” Careers in Psychology, careersinpsychology.org/becoming-a-

forensic-psychologist/.

Franklin, Karen. “Forensic Psychology: Is It the Career for Me?” Psychology Today, Sussex

Publishers, 15 Sept. 2014, www.psychologytoday.com/blog/witness/201409/forensic-

psychology-is-it-the-career-me.

“Forensic Psychologist Career and Salary Information.” Criminal Justice Degree

Schools, www.criminaljusticedegreeschools.com/criminal-justice-careers/forensic-psychologist/.

“How to Become a Forensic Psychologist.” Psychology.org, 14 Feb.

2017, www.psychology.org/careers/forensic-psychologist/#what-does.

“Degrees & Careers in Forensic Psychology | How to Become a Forensic Psychologist.” How to

Become, www.learnhowtobecome.org/psychologist/forensic-psychologist/.

Tomaselli, Donna. “ .” Major Requirements, psych.rutgers.edu/requirements-major-honors-

major-minor/176-major-requirements14?showall=&start=3.

“Washington State University.” Minor | Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology |

Washington State University, crmj.wsu.edu/undergraduate-studies/minor/.