Not Just a Box to Check: Daring to Integrate Cultural Responsiveness into Civil Forensic Practice
摘要
Forensic psychologists are frequently retained to evaluate individuals whose identities may differ significantly from their own, in terms of demographic variables, such as race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, and sexual orientation. Most forensic psychology training programs train evaluators to eliminate bias in their opinions by reinforcing the notion that triers of fact require “objective” opinions. As such, forensic evaluators may not consider cultural and social differences between themselves and the individuals they evaluate; yet, these differences may be critical to accurately reflecting upon and answering referral questions. In this chapter, we present a culturally responsive approach to forensic assessment that begins by exploring the history of cultural competence in psychology. We then review ethical codes and guidelines relevant to culturally responsive forensic assessment and identify how bias may enter into forensic assessment in psychological injury cases. We address the fundamental quandary of integrating cultural responsiveness into forensic evaluations. Finally, identify key principles for conducting culturally responsive forensic assessment in psychological injury cases.