APPLIED SOCIAL RESEARCH

Applied Social Research

Applied Social Research

Introduction

The dilemma between performing adequate forensic roles while applying principles of social psychology has been debated for a long time in psychology, since the two are considered to be fairly incompatible with the other. Social Psychotherapists are usually of the opinion that would favor their clients while forensic experts stick to the facts that they are presented with through truthful and objective reporting and examining of evidence. Forensic experts must perform the role of presenting an unbiased report to the court and the jurors in order to bring justice to the victims or their relatives. The forensic-therapist dual relationships frequently present clash of interests, because of which socially unethical practices are carried out and must then be accounted for by authorities. Owing to the fact that several multiple relationships are built on the same factors of balance and fairness, the circumstance of social therapy eventually presents the circumstance of the correctness of the double role. In particular correctional as well as forensic settings, it would become the duty of clinicians or treating social psychologists to perform the role of court appointed evaluators so that truthful and accurate testimonies are provided in the court.

Since psychotherapists who apply social research to their work must perform the role of being a patient advocate who provides guidance and appropriate treatments, there is hardly any similarity to the role of a forensic expert who must be vigilant and provide objective and evaluative reporting. In this paper, I will be evaluating the differing opinions that are presented in social psychology about whether or not there can be any objectivity in being an honest forensic expert while also providing extensive psychotherapy and advocating personal care to clients.

Discussion

One of the emerging fields of psychology, applied social psychology deals with the study of changes that occur in the minds of human beings as they live out their lives. These changes could range from emotional, psychological or perceptional as per the individual being examined. The purpose of these studies is to better understand the human psyche and how it deals with the different stages of development, from adolescence to adulthood. Often it is found that the most drastic changes in an individual's mind takes place during the stage of emerging childhood, that is, from 18 to 25. It is during this age span that an individual develops habits that they will carry out for the rest of their adult lives, hence it is important to know what compels a person to make the decisions that they do.

With the recent increase in crime rates, social psychologists, psychotherapists and various mental health professionals have also been known to participate in providing forensic support where it is needed in the solving of crimes that may be related to their patients. While many social psychologists may have avoided the world of judiciary for fear of threats or tightened insurance and other rules, they are now actively and willingly presenting as forensic expert witnesses in court mostly ...