Definition of Practice Areas
Adapted from the Definitions of Practice Areas written by the College of Psychologists of Ontario
Forensic/Correctional Psychology
All members of the Saskatchewan College of Psychologists require the following minimum working knowledge base:
- knowledge in the core areas of psychology (MRA standards);
- knowledge of learning;
- knowledge of all relevant ethical, legal and professional issues;
- knowledge of research design and methodology;
- knowledge of statistics; and
- knowledge of psychological measurement.
Forensic/Correctional Psychology is the application of knowledge about human behaviour to the understanding, assessment, diagnosis and/or treatment of individuals within the context of criminal and/or legal matters.
In addition to the above minimum knowledge base, members practising Forensic/Correctional Psychology require the following:
- knowledge of criminal justice/legal systems;
- knowledge of the application of psychological principals within the federal and/or provincial legal systems;
- knowledge of psychopathology/abnormal psychology/criminal behaviour;
- knowledge of personality/individual differences;
- knowledge of psychological assessment;
- knowledge of psychodiagnostics;
- risk assessment/management;
- knowledge of intervention procedures and psychotherapy; and
- knowledge of evaluation of change.
For members practising Forensic/Correctional Psychology the following minimum skills are required:
- the ability to perform an appropriate assessment;
- the ability to formulate and communicate a differential diagnosis; and
- the ability to plan, execute and evaluate an appropriate treatment program.