Instructions: Read through the scenario and respond to the questions below.
Lisa is accused of luring a group of men into a park where they are attacked by a criminal street gang. She is also a gang member and this is part of her initiation. She had a very strict upbringing and was physically abused by her older brother and father growing up. At age 13, she befriended some gang members who let her hang around with them.
She started skipping school and committing petty crimes such as theft and burglary. Her gang got into a fight with a rival gang and she was injured, requiring stitches and X-rays. A police report was filed, although no charges were brought against her.
Upon further investigation, you learn that Lisa was enrolled in several honors classes in her freshman year of high school before she started skipping school to be with her gang. In order to gain entrance to the honors classes, she was tested by the school psychologist for intelligence (IQ) and personality traits to determine the best fit for her academically.
She had an IQ of 120, which is highly intelligent. Her personality traits, however, revealed that she was outgoing, quick to anger, had problems with authority, and charming with her peers. She was sent to the school counselor to help her with anger management, but only attended three sessions before dropping out of school.
Using the Criminal Data Guide document and thinking about the cumulative risk model, respond to the following:
1. What questions would you have asked to find out the information regarding Lisa’s school history?
2. What other types of information would be important to ask about to further investigate this case?
3. Does Lisa’s IQ play a role in her behavior? Explain using psychological theories to support your response.
4. What role does Lisa’s age play in predicting her future criminal behavior? Are there developmental risk factors involved? Use psychological theories to support your rationale.
5. Based upon psychological theories, what interventions might have prevented or reduced the likelihood of Lisa’s behavior?
