Problems of Forensic Sciences 2019 Vol. 120 (CXX) 313-334
PSYCHOLOGICAL-FORENSIC DIAGNOSIS IN JUVENILE CASES
Tomasz RAJTAR, Agnieszka HAŚ
Institute of Forensic Research, Krakow, Poland
Streszczenie
In the context of the Polish legal system, the article analyses the psychology of adolescents who commit crimes or are adjudged to have satisfied the legal formula for demoralisation. Particular attention is devoted to examining the factors that lead to disorders in normal development. This is achieved by drawing upon the findings of neuropsychology and by considering the development of identity and personality. The paper opens with an account of the evolution of approaches to the elimination, or limitation, of the negative consequences of law-breaking and norm-breaking behaviours manifested by young people. It continues with a description of the psychological diagnosis of juveniles, in which it is emphasised that the psychological and pedagogical diagnosis of social maladjustment cannot be limited to the behavioural perspective, that is, to the description of symptoms indicating incorrect behaviour and attitudes. Instead, a broad range of diagnostic methods and tests should be employed in juvenile psychological examinations. If they are to be complete, diagnoses of juveniles must also include a criminological prognosis and guidelines for rehabilitation.
Słowa kluczowe
Juvenile perpetrators; Demoralisation; Risk factors; Protective factors; Psychological diagnosis.