The Forensic View

Forensic Psychology

Eyewitness Processes at the Battle of Los Angeles

Matthew J. Sharps Ph.D. on May 6, 2024

In 1942, large numbers of people, and military policy, were influenced by eyewitness reports of a Japanese air attack that didn't exist. The same processes exist today.

In 1942, large numbers of people, and military policy, were influenced by eyewitness reports of a Japanese air attack that didn't exist. The same processes exist today.

Law and Crime

Are There Really Psychic Detectives?

Matthew J. Sharps Ph.D. on April 1, 2024

Modern psychology can explain many of the paranormal concepts, such as psychic premonitions, that frequently turn up in criminal justice investigations.

Modern psychology can explain many of the paranormal concepts, such as psychic premonitions, that frequently turn up in criminal justice investigations.

Forensic Psychology

Killing Socrates

Matthew J. Sharps Ph.D. on March 4, 2024

The infamous trial of Socrates in ancient Athens highlights the importance of a strong understanding of the cognitive and affective elements of judicial proceedings.

The infamous trial of Socrates in ancient Athens highlights the importance of a strong understanding of the cognitive and affective elements of judicial proceedings.

Guilt

Blaming the Victim: The Psychology of Innocence and Guilt

Matthew J. Sharps Ph.D. on February 5, 2024

Why are the innocent sometimes blamed for crimes against themselves? The psychology involved can derive from the violence of the crime and from individual dissociation.

Why are the innocent sometimes blamed for crimes against themselves? The psychology involved can derive from the violence of the crime and from individual dissociation.

Forensic Psychology

Forensics and the Forensic View

Matthew J. Sharps Ph.D. on January 11, 2024

Forensic psychology is not an exact science, yet the systematic combination of field and laboratory studies in forensic psychology can yield considerable explanatory power.

Forensic psychology is not an exact science, yet the systematic combination of field and laboratory studies in forensic psychology can yield considerable explanatory power.

Cognition

Perception, Thought, and Emotion

Matthew J. Sharps Ph.D. on December 4, 2023

Eyewitness memories are not generated by perception alone; individual differences, personal experience, and emotion play major roles in their formation.

Eyewitness memories are not generated by perception alone; individual differences, personal experience, and emotion play major roles in their formation.

Memory

Memory, the Mandela Effect, and Pterodactyls of the Mind

Matthew J. Sharps Ph.D. on November 6, 2023

In previous posts, we have seen that details can be inadvertently altered or created in eyewitness accounts, but such accidental errors can also occur on a much larger scale.

In previous posts, we have seen that details can be inadvertently altered or created in eyewitness accounts, but such accidental errors can also occur on a much larger scale.

Memory

Eyewitness Errors

Matthew J. Sharps Ph.D. on October 17, 2023

Everyone is aware of simple forgetting, but more complex processes can result in completely inaccurate eyewitness accounts.

Everyone is aware of simple forgetting, but more complex processes can result in completely inaccurate eyewitness accounts.

Forensic Psychology

Evidence Matters: Marcos' Menagerie and Source Confusion

Matthew J. Sharps Ph.D. on August 21, 2023

Confusion of the sources of evidence can plague the criminal justice system. Historical examples outside the forensic realm can shed light on the psychology of this problem.

Confusion of the sources of evidence can plague the criminal justice system. Historical examples outside the forensic realm can shed light on the psychology of this problem.

Deception

Evidence Matters: The Case of the "Lying Monk"

Matthew J. Sharps Ph.D. on July 29, 2023

The historic case of the so-called "Lying Monk," Marcos de Niza, demonstrates the tremendous importance of considering source and language as we assess the veracity of evidence.

The historic case of the so-called "Lying Monk," Marcos de Niza, demonstrates the tremendous importance of considering source and language as we assess the veracity of evidence.

Forensic Psychology

What Forensic Psychology Can Learn From Alien Abductions

Matthew J. Sharps Ph.D. on July 3, 2023

Forensic cognitive science is useful in explaining "paranormal" encounters—but can the reverse be true? The psychology of "alien abductions" says yes.

Forensic cognitive science is useful in explaining "paranormal" encounters—but can the reverse be true? The psychology of "alien abductions" says yes.

Forensic Psychology

Psychology and the Flying Saucer People

Matthew J. Sharps Ph.D. on June 5, 2023

Current psychological research indicates that many perceptions and interpretations of unidentified aerial phenomena, UAPs, reside in the mind, rather than in physical reality.

Current psychological research indicates that many perceptions and interpretations of unidentified aerial phenomena, UAPs, reside in the mind, rather than in physical reality.

Cognition

Are People Actually Any Good at Estimating Height?

Matthew J. Sharps Ph.D. on May 8, 2023

Estimates of heights and dimensions can be critically important in eyewitness accounts—yet our ability to make such estimates can prove shockingly poor.

Estimates of heights and dimensions can be critically important in eyewitness accounts—yet our ability to make such estimates can prove shockingly poor.

Stress

First Responder Stress: Mental Health at the Extremes

Matthew J. Sharps Ph.D. on April 10, 2023

Responses to the stresses faced by first responders show us that psychoeducation may be important for the development of genuine mental health.

Responses to the stresses faced by first responders show us that psychoeducation may be important for the development of genuine mental health.

Stress

Why Our Heart Rate Spikes When We're Stressed

Matthew J. Sharps Ph.D. on March 13, 2023

Many of our psychological and physiological responses to stress may have been adaptive in the ancient world, even if they're maladaptive today.

Many of our psychological and physiological responses to stress may have been adaptive in the ancient world, even if they're maladaptive today.

Career

Protecting the Innocent: Lineups, Good and Bad

Matthew J. Sharps Ph.D. on February 13, 2023

Lineups are important tools for identifying criminal suspects, but the context and psychology of the lineup are critically important for accuracy.

Lineups are important tools for identifying criminal suspects, but the context and psychology of the lineup are critically important for accuracy.

Guilt

Protecting the Innocent: The Cognitive Context of Guilt

Matthew J. Sharps Ph.D. on January 16, 2023

The social and physical contexts within which a criminal suspect is viewed by witnesses can be critical for the accuracy or inaccuracy of the identification.

The social and physical contexts within which a criminal suspect is viewed by witnesses can be critical for the accuracy or inaccuracy of the identification.

Persuasion

Protecting the Innocent: Eyewitness Identification

Matthew J. Sharps Ph.D. on December 19, 2022

There are several methods of eliciting eyewitness information. The psychological principles driving each must be understood to prevent miscarriages of justice.

There are several methods of eliciting eyewitness information. The psychological principles driving each must be understood to prevent miscarriages of justice.

Stress

Ancient Fears: Acute and Chronic Stress Responses

Matthew J. Sharps Ph.D. on November 21, 2022

Chronic stress is ubiquitous in the modern world and very damaging. To what degree does our ancient ancestry contribute to this effect, and is there anything we can do about it?

Chronic stress is ubiquitous in the modern world and very damaging. To what degree does our ancient ancestry contribute to this effect, and is there anything we can do about it?

Psychology

Outside the Forensic Box: The Scientist as Eyewitness

Matthew J. Sharps Ph.D. on October 24, 2022

Is science ever truly "objective"? Psychological factors have proven to be critical in scientific and even medical observations, as they are in criminal investigations.

Is science ever truly "objective"? Psychological factors have proven to be critical in scientific and even medical observations, as they are in criminal investigations.