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Forensic Psychology

Decent Essays

Discussion Question One Hugo Münsterberg was a pioneer in applying psychology to many areas outside of a laboratory. In his clinical work, Münsterberg sought to treat the symptoms of abnormal behavior, rather than discover what may have created the reasons for the symptoms (Hergenhahn & Henley, 2014). In this way he differed from others in this time period, such as Freud, which he did not seem to agree with. Münsterberg was the first that we know about to apply methods and principles of psychology to dealings of law, thereby bringing about forensic psychology (Hergenhahn & Henley, 2014). He used psychology in many aspects of legal matters, including interrogation by police, the fallibility of eyewitnesses, and even detailed a machine to detect …show more content…

Münsterberg believed that a woman’s primary duty was that of mother and wife, however, he actively supported Mary Whiton Calkins in her educational pursuit and believed that there were cases in which exceptional woman should be allowed to follow a non-traditional career (Hergenhahn & Henley, 2014). Münsterberg also described Calkins as his most able and skilled student he had ever presided over, but then he also decried women’s involvement in the United States when it came to academic and social growth (Hergenhahn & Henley, 2014). Hall was no better in his inconsistent views about women. He was very adamant in his belief that a woman’s role should be that of mother and that coeducation was to be avoided; at the same time, he was head of Clark University which was open to both male and female graduate students (Hergenhahn & Henley, 2014).
The contradictory views of women seemed to serve the United States during World War I and World War II. When the workforce was in drastic need of more people, women were readily accepted to bridge the shortfall, however, when each war was over women were expected to return to their previous roles of wife and mother (Bryant, 2002). In this way, the conflicting viewpoints of men like Hall and Münsterberg seem to have been mirrored …show more content…

Behavior that is harmful, unrealistic thoughts and awareness, emotions that are incongruous to a situation, and behavior that is erratic or unpredictable are persistent characteristics of mental illness (Hergenhahn & Henley, 2014). Acts that harm either an individual, or another person, and which do not conform to cultural or societal values are generally seen deviating from normal behavior. This is also true of emotions that do not fit with a certain setting or cultural venue. An example would be public executions, since at various times in history such an event would sometimes be viewed as a time for frivolity or at least a superficial interpretation of death. In many current societies this would be seen as departing from normal behavior. The main factor of whether or not unpredictable behaviors or improbable beliefs and observations will be seen as abnormal largely depend on the degree to which they are displayed. At times, leaders and visionaries are seen as unpredictable or have a belief that is not supported by the rest of society, but how much these thoughts or behaviors are seen as deviate will

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