Which of the following tasks is most likely to be performed by a forensic psychologist?

• A. Assessing a defendant's competency to stand trial
• B. Providing therapy for couples experiencing relationship difficulties
• C. Developing educational curricula for children
• D. Studying the effects of neurotransmitters on behavior in a laboratory setting

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the role of a forensic psychologist. Forensic psychologists apply psychological principles within the legal and criminal justice system, often involving assessments related to legal cases.
2. Step 2: Review each task option and consider whether it aligns with forensic psychology. For example, assessing a defendant's competency to stand trial directly involves legal evaluation, which is central to forensic psychology.
3. Step 3: Recognize that providing therapy for couples is typically the role of a clinical or counseling psychologist, not forensic psychology.
4. Step 4: Note that developing educational curricula is related to educational psychology, focusing on learning and teaching methods rather than legal matters.
5. Step 5: Understand that studying neurotransmitters in a lab is a task for biological or experimental psychologists, focusing on brain-behavior relationships rather than legal assessments.