*Meaux, L.T., Cox,. J., & *Kopkin, M.R. (2018). Sentencing, sex, and selective chivalry: The impact of sex on juror decision making in an ambiguous assault case. Psychiatry, Psychology, and Law.
In sexually motivated crimes, female defendants are treated more leniently and female jurors are more punitive, relative to their male counterparts. However, few studies have examined the impact and interactions of juror, defendant and victim sex in non-sexually motivated crimes. In this study, mock jurors responded to an assault case in which the sex of both the defendant and the victim was manipulated, creating four conditions. The female jurors reported higher confidence in a guilty verdict, regardless of the defendant's and victim's sex. Additionally, the mock jurors – particularly the females – were more confident in a guilty verdict when the victim was female, regardless of the defendant's sex. Finally, the mock jurors recommended a harsher sentence for the female defendant – but only when the victim was male. These results are discussed in the context of understanding sex and gender within the criminal justice system and potential implications for juror decision-making.
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*Meaux, L. T., Mitchell, K. R., & Cohen, A. S. (2018). Blunted vocal affect and expression not associated with schizophrenia: A computerized acoustic analysis of ambiguous speech. Comprehensive Psychiatry, 83, 84-88.
Patients with schizophrenia are consistently rated by clinicians as having high levels of blunted vocal affect and alogia. However, objective technologies have often failed to substantiate these abnormalities. It could be the case that negative symptoms are context-dependent. The present study examined speech elicited under conditions demonstrated to exacerbate thought disorder. The Rorschach Test was administered to 36 outpatients with schizophrenia and 25 nonpatient controls. Replies to separate “perceptual” and “memory” phases were analyzed using validated acoustic analytic methods. Compared to nonpatient controls, schizophrenia patients did not display abnormal speech expression on objective measure of blunted vocal affect or alogia. Moreover, clinical ratings of negative symptoms were not significantly correlated with objective measures. These findings suggest that in patients with schizophrenia, vocal affect/alogia is generally unremarkable under ambiguous conditions. Clarifying the nature of blunted vocal affect and alogia, and how objective measures correspond to what clinicians attend to when making clinical ratings are important directions for future research. *Coffey, C.A., Cox, J., & Kopkin, M.R. (2018). Examining the Relationships between the Triarchic Psychopathy Constructs and Behavioral Deviance in a Community Sample. Journal of Personality Disorders, 32, 57-69.
Few studies have examined the extent to which psychopathic traits relate to the commission of mild to moderate acts of deviance, such as vandalism and minor traffic violations. Given that psychopathy is now studied in community populations, the relationship between psychopathic traits and less severe deviant behaviors, which are more normative among noninstitutionalized samples, warrants investigation. The current study examined the relationships between the triarchic model of psychopathy (Patrick, Fowles & Krueger, 2009) and seven forms of deviant behavior (drug use, alcohol use, theft, vandalism, school misconduct, assault, and general deviance) in a nationally representative sample. Triarchic disinhibition positively predicted each form of normative deviance. Boldness positively predicted drug and alcohol use as well as general deviance, while meanness negatively predicted school misconduct. Boldness and disinhibition also positively predicted overall lifetime engagement in deviant behavior. Implications are discussed, including support of the role of boldness within the psychopathy construct. Cox, J., *Kopkin, M.R., Rankin, J., Tomeny, T.S. & *Coffey, C.A. (2018). The influence of psychopathic traits on parenting style. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 27, 2305-2314.
Surprisingly little research has examined the role of parental psychopathic traits in the parent-child relationship. We aimed to gain a better understanding of how parental psychopathic traits are related to parenting style and to determine whether specific parental psychopathic traits are differentially related to parenting behaviors. A sample of male and female parents from a community population completed the Psychopathic Personality Inventory-Revised (PPI-R) as well as a modified version of the Parental Authority Questionnaire (PAQ). Path analyses predicting PAQ subscales from PPI-R factors indicated poor model fit. However, path analyses examining PAQ and PPI-R subscales indicated good model fit, with PPI-R subscales explaining 20–25% of variance in PAQ subscale scores. Surprisingly, PAQ Authoritative parenting was significantly predicted by the greatest number of PPI-R facets, including Carefree Nonplanfulness, Coldheartedness, Rebellious Nonconformity (all positive) and Fearlessness (negative). Rebellious Nonconformity also positively predicted PAQ Permissive parenting, and negatively predicted PAQ Authoritative Parenting. Results suggest parental psychopathic traits may be associated with specific parenting styles, although future research should consider potential moderating variables. Tsang, S., Salekin, R.T., *Coffey, C.A. & Cox, J. (2017). A comparison of self-report measures of psychopathy among non-forensic samples using item response theory analyses. Psychological Assessment, 30, 311-327.
This study investigated how well components of the psychopathy trait are measured among college students with the Levenson Self-Report Psychopathy Scale (LSRP), the Personality Assessment Inventory–Antisocial Features Scale (PAI ANT), the Psychopathic Personality Inventory–Short Form (PPI-SF), and the Self-Report Psychopathy Scale-II (SRP-II). Using Samejima (1969)’s graded response model (GRM), the subscales were found to vary in their ability to measure the corresponding latent traits. The LSRP primary psychopathy factor is more precise in measuring the latent trait than the secondary psychopathy factor. The PAI ANT items show coherent psychometric properties, whereas the PPI-SF factors differ in their precision to measure the corresponding traits. The SRP-II factors are effective in discriminating among individuals with varying levels of the latent traits. Results suggest that multiple self-report measures should be used to tap the multidimensional psychopathy construct. However, there are concerns with respect to using negatively worded items to assess certain aspects of psychopathy. Cox, J., *Stanziani, M., *Coffey, C. A., & *deLacy, R. D. (2018). LGB Q&A: An investigation of the influence of sexual orientation on professional practice among LGBQ-affiliated forensic mental health professionals. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 49, 255-263.
Recent decades have seen an increase in research examining the experiences of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Queer, and other-identifying (LGBQ) individuals in the workplace, including surveys and empirical studies exploring how an individual’s sexual orientation influences their work, instances of workplace discrimination due to sexual orientation, and the impact of antidiscrimination legislation in changing workplace culture. However, research has yet to examine the experience of LGBQ-identifying forensic mental health professionals. A survey of 37 forensic psychologists and psychiatrists who self-identified with the LGBQ community found half of all participants viewed their sexual orientation as impacting their professional identity in some way. Qualitative analyses suggest this may include an interest in research about or a desire to work with LGBQ-identifying individuals. Although one third of the participants in this study reported they did not believe there was LGBQ related prejudice or discrimination in the field of forensic mental health, 81% of participants reported experiencing some form of prejudice/discrimination. Further, over half of all participants reported changing their professional practice, physical appearance, and/or behaviors to influence others’ perceptions of their sexual orientation. In total, these data suggest LGBQ-identifying forensic mental health professionals may simultaneously feel as though the field is particularly accepting of nonheterosexuality while also identifying ways in which their sexual orientation impacts their workplace behaviors and environment. Ruiz, M., Hopwood, C., Edens, J.F., Morey, L.C., & Cox, J. (2018). Initial development of pathological personality traits domain measures using the Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI). Personality Disorders: Theory, Research, and Treatment.
This study set out to create measures of the five personality disorder trait domains outlined in Section III of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (American Psychiatric Association, 2013) from the Personality Assessment Inventory items (Morey, 2007). Rasch rating scale model analyses and classical test theory analyses were applied to existing data sets (N = 3,877; community, clinical, offender, college) to identify relevant items. Five scales were created that had acceptable unidimensionality and generally conformed to Rasch model expectations. The ability of the items to cover the underlying construct and their differential item function by sex were acceptable, though a few of the proposed scales had weaknesses in these areas. Internal consistency was acceptable for all scales and the factor structure was generally consistent with expectations, but some scales had concerning cross-loadings. Preliminary analyses demonstrated validity of the scales in relation to history of mental health treatment/current symptoms, substance abuse, and, for one scale, violent rearrests. There were small-to-moderate associations with noncorresponding traits, suggesting a degree of saturation with general personality impairment. The relevance of the proposed scales for the assessment of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition personality disorder is discussed. *Stanziani, M.R. & Cox, J. (2018). The failure of all mothers or the mother of all failures?: Juror perceptions of failure to protect laws. Journal of Interpersonal Violence.
Failure to protect laws have been an area of interest among legal scholars, child and domestic violence advocates, and the social work and psychology fields with varying focuses on the societal underpinnings of the laws and their application. Despite the pervasive legal literature on “mother blaming” and the revictimization of battered women that these laws engender, few studies have empirically examined if “mother blaming” occurs in these cases, or if battered women are treated more harshly. The aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of defendant sex and presence of domestic violence on mock juror decision making in a failure to protect case. The influences of juror sex on decision making were also examined. Jury eligible community members read a summary of a case in which the defendant was charged with failing to protect their child from a third-party abuser. The sex of the defendant and the presence of domestic violence were manipulated. Participants then rendered a verdict, provided sentencing recommendations, and responded to attitudinal questions about the defendant and perpetrator. Mock jurors were more likely to find the defendant guilty and view the defendant more negatively when the defendant had been the victim of domestic violence. Defendant sex did not affect outcome measures; however, female jurors were more punitive than male jurors. Results are discussed in terms of “victim blaming” and labeling theory of intimate partner violence. *Stanziani, M.R., Cox, J., & *Coffey, C.A. (2017). Adding insult to injury: Sex, sexual orientation, and juror decision making in a case of intimate partner violence. Journal of Homosexuality, 65, 1325-1350.
Societal definitions of intimate partner violence (IPV) are highly gendered and heteronormative, resulting in dissonance regarding cases of same-sex IPV. This study explored perceptions of IPV when the context of the case is inconsistent with societal norms regarding sex and sexuality. Mock jurors read a vignette describing a case of alleged IPV in which the sex and sexual orientation of the defendant were manipulated. Participants (N = 415) rendered a verdict and provided ratings of the defendant, victim, and case. Results suggest participants were more confident in a guilty verdict when the defendant was male, compared to female. Further, male defendants were perceived as more morally responsible, but only when the victim was female. Perceptions regarding the crime suggest violence perpetrated by a man against a woman is viewed more adversely than any other condition. Data are discussed in terms of implications for legal decision-makers and public policy. Dr. Cox and Megan Kopkin Published in Journal of Forensic Psychology: Research and Practice!4/17/2017 Cox, J., Brodsky, S.L., *Remmel, R.J., *Applegate, K., & *Kopkin, M.R. (2017). The “No-Disorder” Capital Defendant: Defining and Exploring a Novel Construct. Journal of Forensic Psychology: Research and Practice, 17, 179-198.
The United States Supreme Court’s pivotal ruling in Lockett v. Ohio required Courts to be open to consider everything about a defendant’s mental health and background when deliberating the appropriateness of a death penalty verdict. When mental health experts testify in this context, this testimony generally includes evidence concerning the defendant’s psychopathology, serious substance abuse, or likelihood for future dangerousness. However, anecdotal accounts suggest another type of defendant occasionally stands trial for capital murder: the relatively asymptomatic, “no-disorder” individual. This defendant lacks significant psychopathology or severe personality pathology, and is usually psychologically unremarkable. This article explores the concept of the no-disorder capital defendant by defining the construct and differentiating this individual from the more typical capital defendant. We also discuss potential implications regarding mental health testimony on “no-diagnosis” defendants. Finally, directions for future research with this construct are explored. Cox, J., Stinar, L.D., Foster, E.E. (2017). On being a novice forensic evaluator: Reflections for early career forensic psychologists. Psychological Injury and Law, 10, 191-195.
Previous research has considered the psychologist’s professional transition from trainee to independent practitioner. However, this work has generally focused on the experiences of psychotherapists or general psychologists. The purpose of the current commentary is to reflect on the experiences of early professional forensic evaluators. This commentary addresses four specific areas including difficulties with adversarial allegiance, perceptions of professional competency, balancing responsibilities associated with “expert” status, and roadblocks to standard test administration and scoring. When applicable, we reference empirical literature and professional ethical guidelines. We also offer suggestions for coping with these experiences. We hope this commentary will normalize these experiences for other early career evaluators as well as aid graduate students’ transition into the independent evaluator role. |
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