On the Ability of Mental Health Professionals to 'Predict Dangerousness': A commentary on Interpretations of the 'Dangerousness' Literature
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1994
Keywords
validity of predictions of client violence & dangerousness & risk assessment, mental health professionals, implications for mental health law
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.
Was this content written or created while at USF?
Yes
Citation / Publisher Attribution
Law & Psychology Review, v. 18, p. 43-68.
Scholar Commons Citation
Collins, Robert P., "On the Ability of Mental Health Professionals to 'Predict Dangerousness': A commentary on Interpretations of the 'Dangerousness' Literature" (1994). Mental Health Law & Policy Faculty Publications. 256.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/mhlp_facpub/256
