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Understanding Abnormal Behavior , Eighth Edition
David Sue, Western Washington University
Derald Wing Sue, Teacher's College
Stanley Sue, University of California, Davis
Learning Objectives
Chapter 18: Legal and Ethical Issues in Abnormal Psychology

  • Describe the range of legal and ethical issues relevant to abnormal psychology. (pp. 595-600; Table 18.1)

  • Define criminal commitment processes and discuss criminal laws position on free will. (p. 600)

  • Discuss the rationale for the insanity defense and the legal precedents that have shaped the current standing of the insanity defense, including the MNaghten Rule, the irresistible impulse test, the Durham standard, the American Law Institute (ALI) Model Penal Code, and diminished capacity. (pp. 600-603)

  • Discuss the arguments for and against the plea guilty, but mentally ill, including Thomas Szaszs arguments against the insanity defense and involuntary commitment. (pp. 603-604)

  • Describe the criteria for finding a defendant competent to stand trial and the procedures involved in determining it, including due process. (pp. 604-605)

  • Describe the concept of civil commitment and the criteria by which individuals are committed. Explain why the assessment of dangerousness is difficult. (pp. 605-607)

  • Explain the rationale for civil commitment, the procedures involved, and the protections that exist against its abuse. Outline the criticisms of civil commitment. (pp. 607-609)

  • Discuss the key legal rulings concerning the rights of mental patients, including the level of proof necessary for commitment (Addington v. Texas), the least restrictive environment principle, and the right to treatment (Wyatt v. Stickney , OConnor v. Donaldson, and Youngberg v. Romeo). (pp. 609-611)

  • Discuss the legal rulings concerning the right to refuse treatment (Rennie v. Klein and Rogers v. Okin) and the arguments for and against this right. Define the term least intrusive treatment. (pp. 611-612)

  • Discuss the reasons for and the impact of the deinstitutionalization of mental patients. Evaluate the present living conditions of many exmental hospital patients and the prospects for mainstreaming and alternative community programs. (pp. 612-614)

  • Distinguish between the concepts of confidential and privileged communications. Discuss when therapists may disclose confidential information and where there are exemptions to privileged communications. (p. 614-615)

  • Describe the duty-to-warn principle, the legal rulings related to it (Tarasoff v. Board of Regents of the University of California), and the criticisms of the duty-to-warn principle. (pp. 615-617)

  • Identify the position of professional organizations on the issue of sexual intimacies between therapist and client. Discuss the research on the impact of therapists sexual involvement with clients. (pp. 617-619)

  • Discuss how mental health professionals need to accommodate the changes in the ethnic profile of Americans. Describe the ethical guidelines for working with culturally different clients and the information in DSM-IV-TR that deals with multicultural influences. (pp. 619-621)



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