In The Text, It Is Mentioned That There Are Five Major Areas

In The Text It Is Mentioned That There Are Five Major Areas In Resear

The text discusses five major areas in forensic research, highlighting two specific subspecialties that practice forensic psychology: Police and Public Safety Psychology, Legal Psychology, Family Forensic Psychology, Crime and Delinquency Psychology, Forensic School Psychology, Victimology and Victim Services, and Correctional Psychology (Bartol & Bartol, 2021). Of these, Crime and Delinquency psychology is notably of particular interest due to its focus on understanding the behavior and mental development of juvenile offenders into adulthood. This subspecialty emphasizes examining antisocial behaviors often exhibited by offenders, aiming to comprehend the underlying motivations and psychological progression involved in criminal activities.

As a practitioner within the Crime and Delinquency field, the core research revolves around establishing correlations between unlawful behaviors and societal or personal codes of living. The fascination with this area stems from personal experience working at a juvenile rehabilitation and residential center for girls before pursuing teaching. During this time, the author observed systemic gaps that allowed residents to slip through oversight, often due to external and internal environmental factors. Many residents struggled to overcome obstacles rooted in exposure to temptations and adverse circumstances once re-entered into the community, highlighting challenges in preventing recidivism.

This firsthand experience fostered an interest in exploring measures to reduce juvenile recidivism rates and comparing juvenile justice systems across different countries. The goal is to understand factors contributing to repeat offending and identify best practices within juvenile rehabilitation programs worldwide. Such insights could inform policy changes and intervention strategies to curb juvenile offending behaviors effectively.

Careers related to this subspecialty include roles such as Criminal Profiler, Criminal Psychologist, and Behavior Therapist (Indeed, 2023). Criminal profilers analyze criminal behavior patterns, creating timelines to identify similarities across crimes. Criminal psychologists assist law enforcement by understanding the motivations behind criminal acts, helping to develop behavioral profiles. Behavior therapists work directly with clients, especially offenders, to modify maladaptive behaviors and habits through tailored treatment plans. This role resonates strongly with the author's values, focusing on reducing crime among youth and fostering positive behavioral change.

While the prospect of becoming a criminal profiler—understanding the psychology behind criminal actions—is intriguing, the author aligns most with the role of a Behavior Therapist. This career offers a direct avenue for influencing young individuals, addressing root behavioral issues, and providing preventative interventions to lower reoffending rates. Ultimately, a combination of these careers can contribute significantly to criminal justice reform and juvenile rehabilitation efforts, reinforcing the importance of psychological insights in forensic settings.

Paper For Above instruction

Forensic psychology, a multidisciplinary field intersecting psychology and the criminal justice system, comprises various specialized areas dedicated to understanding, assessing, and intervening in criminal behavior. According to Bartol and Bartol (2021), five major domains within forensic research include Police and Public Safety Psychology, Legal Psychology, Family Forensic Psychology, Crime and Delinquency Psychology, Forensic School Psychology, Victimology and Victim Services, and Correctional Psychology. Among these, Crime and Delinquency Psychology has garnered particular interest due to its focus on understanding the behavior, motivations, and mental development of juvenile offenders, which can have profound implications for rehabilitation and prevention strategies.

Focusing specifically on Crime and Delinquency Psychology offers valuable insights into the antisocial behaviors often exhibited by young offenders and the psychological progression from juvenile delinquency to adult criminality. This area examines various factors influencing such behaviors, including environmental, familial, and societal contributions. The ultimate aim is to uncover correlations between unlawful behaviors and societal norms, and to develop interventions that can effectively reduce recidivism among youth within juvenile justice systems. This entails exploring both individual psychological factors and systemic issues, providing a comprehensive approach to understanding juvenile offending.

The author’s personal experience working at a juvenile rehabilitation center for girls enriches the understanding of this subspecialty. Working directly with residents who faced numerous obstacles—such as exposure to temptations, lack of support, and systemic shortcomings—highlighted the complex dynamics that contribute to juvenile delinquency. These practical insights reveal how environmental adversity and peer influences play critical roles in fostering criminal behavior among youth. The author observed that many residents struggled with reintegration into their communities due to these external pressures, often leading to repeated offenses. Such observations underscore the urgent need for targeted interventions, systemic reforms, and preventive measures that address these root issues.

In examining potential career paths within this subspecialty, roles such as Criminal Profiler, Criminal Psychologist, and Behavior Therapist emerge as prominent options. Criminal profilers analyze crime scenes and behavioral patterns to generate hypotheses about offenders' identities and motivations. Criminal psychologists contribute by helping law enforcement understand the psychological factors driving criminal actions and assist in assessments of offenders' mental states. Behavior therapists, however, focus on working directly with individuals to modify problematic behaviors through evidence-based therapeutic techniques. They develop personalized treatment plans aimed at behavioral change, making this role particularly appealing for those committed to prevention and rehabilitation.

The appeal of becoming a Behavior Therapist aligns closely with the author's values and desire to make a tangible impact on reducing crime among youth. This career allows for direct intervention, addressing behavioral issues at their source through counseling and skill development. Conversely, the criminal profiler's role, while intellectually stimulating, is more investigative and less directly involved in changing individual behaviors. As the author values active, preventative measures, the Behavior Therapist's position offers a meaningful avenue to promote social and behavioral change among vulnerable populations.

Developing expertise in juvenile delinquency and forensic psychology can significantly enhance efforts to lower recidivism rates and improve juvenile justice systems globally. The author’s focus on understanding the psychological underpinnings of juvenile offending provides a foundation for advocating systemic reforms, evidence-based interventions, and community-based support systems. The ultimate goal is to foster resilience and positive behavioral development among youth, which can be achieved through multidisciplinary approaches combining psychological assessment, counseling, and community engagement strategies.

References

• Bartol, C. R., & Bartol, A. M. (2021). Introduction to Forensic Psychology (6th ed.). SAGE Publications, Inc.
• Indeed Career Guide. (n.d.). What Can You Do With a Criminal Psychology Degree? Retrieved from https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/psychology-careers
• Borum, R., DeLisi, M., & Soderstrom, P. (2014). Juvenile Offenders and the Criminal Justice System. Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 23, 315-329.
• Bickle, J. (2018). Juvenile Justice and Forensic Psychology. Journal of Criminal Psychology, 8, 24-34.
• Sherman, L. W., & Skeem, J. L. (2011). Evidence-Based Crime Prevention: Principles, Practice, and Implementation. Criminology & Public Policy, 10(1), 143-160.
• Hockenberry, S., & Tittle, C. (2019). Juvenile Justice: What Works? The Role of Therapeutic Interventions. Crime & Delinquency, 65(3), 341-364.
• International Journal of Criminology & Sociology, 11, 157-170.
• Wong, S. C. P., & Bero, B. (2018). Psychological Assessments in Juvenile Justice. Forensic Science Review, 30, 45-55.
• Blumstein, A., & Cohen, J. (2015). Crime and the Criminal Justice System. Annual Review of Law and Social Science, 11, 177-199.
• Prins, S. J. (2018). Risk and Needs Assessment in Juvenile Justice. Journal of Offender Monitoring, 2, 24-30.