Abstract
Discusses the emerging mental health (MH) law movement and its impact on questions regarding the ability of MH professionals to predict violence. Misinterpretations of data and empirical literature that addresses the ability of MH professionals to predict dangerous behavior are delineated, and the problems associated with the prediction of violent behavior and assessment of the utility of prediction techniques are described. Empirical, legal, and ethical questions regarding violence prediction and risk assessment are considered, and how the confusion surrounding these issues may have contributed to the misinterpretation of the empirical data is addressed.
Original language | American English |
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Journal | Law and Psychology Review |
Volume | 18 |
State | Published - Jan 1 1994 |
Keywords
- validity of predictions of client violence & dangerousness & risk assessment
- mental health professionals
- implications for mental health law
Disciplines
- Health Law and Policy
- Law
- Medicine and Health Sciences
- Mental and Social Health
- Psychiatric and Mental Health