Tuesday, October 17, 2006

Psychologists just now discover that rapists lie in evaluation tests

In a case where you would think this was sort of obvious, no? While we are glad that psychologist learn something from time to time, we would also hope that these "masters of the human mind" could use some common sense.

More than 80 per cent of Victorian rapists assessed as being fit for rehabilitation have lied to get on the list, according to a new study.

Research by forensic psychologist Qusai Hussain has found major tests used to assess which convicted rapists are suitable for rehabilitation were flawed because they allow rapists to answer questions themselves.

This left room for prisoners to lie and manipulate their responses.

For his doctorate of psychology, Dr Hussain conducted an eight-month study of 50 convicted rapists, including their court records and police evidence.

He found nearly all the prisoners had lied in the tests to make themselves appear more socially acceptable.

"The self-assessment tests are not the only measure for evaluating prisoners for treatment, but they are a major factor," Dr Hussain said today.

"These tests also form a major part of how psychologists develop programs to rehabilitate rapists. Clearly it is irrational to keep administering these tests in the face of such overwhelming evidence that prisoners are lying."

Dr Hussain's study found current rehabilitation programs were only 30 to 40 per cent effective.

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