ASSIGNMENT : Abnormal PSY 281 Ch 16 response- Insanity Plea

Chapter 16 Application Response
(25 Points)

For this assignment I would like for you to take a look at a fairly misunderstood interaction between the fields of psychology and law: \”The Insanity Plea.\”

1) Discuss what is meant a defendant pleading \”Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity\”:
a) Discuss the two forms of criminal commitment: one NGRI, and the other if the defendant is found to be mentally unstable at the time of their trial.
b) Discuss in depth the rules that shaped the idea of what \”insanity\” is defined as.
2) Discuss other verdicts that are available other than NGRI.
3) Discuss what is most likely for an individual after they have been found NGRI:
a) Are they immediately set free?
b) Do they spend the rest of their lives in a mental hospital?
c) Describe the typical experience of one with a NGRI verdict.
4) What concerns are raised by the Insanity Defense?
a) Discuss analyze the issues with critical thinking and evidence based arguments, not your personal opinions.
5) Discuss what is meant by a civil commitment:
a) Why is this a necessary policy in our society?
b) How does one become civilly committed? That is, how do authorities go about the process of committing one to involuntary mental health treatment?
c) Again, critically analyze the idea that \”People with mental disorders are dangerous\”. Be very careful to look at the evidence, not your personal opinions.

Textbook Requirements
.

Comer, R.J. (2016). Fundamentals of Abnormal Psychology (8th ed). New York: Worth. ISBN#: 1-4641-7697-3

SAMPLE SOLUTION

Abnormal PSY 281 Chapter 16 response- Insanity Plea
Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity
The Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity (NGRI) is a plea taken by an accused person who admits to the charges, but whose lawyer claims that he/ she lacked a significant capacity to form intent to commit the crimes and appreciate the nature of his/her wrongful acts because of his/her mental illness. The other plea, mentally unstable at the time of trial, means the defendant is not competent to stand trial, which requires the case to be…