On the Ability of Mental Health Professionals to 'Predict Dangerousness': A commentary on Interpretations of the 'Dangerousness' Literature

Robert P. Collins, Randy Otto

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

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 languageAmerican English
JournalLaw and Psychology Review
Volume18
StatePublished - 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

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