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Forensic Psychology vs Forensic Psychiatry
In the field of criminal justice, it is important to understand forensic psychology vs forensic psychiatry. Both of these career paths may come up for you in the future, and you need to have an idea of what their differences are in order to select the right one for you. Forensic psychologists and forensic psychiatrists may both be called upon to testify in a court of law, but the purposes of their testimonies are completely different. Here is a quick comparison of these two practices so you can determine which career path might be a good fit for you.
Forensic Psychology
Forensic psychology is just like general psychology, but it involves a specific emphasis on the criminal justice system. Forensic psychologists are responsible for evaluating the mental status of patients within the field of criminal justice. These patients are often criminals awaiting trial, but they may also be witnesses or victims in a criminal case. Forensic psychologists must use their analytical skills to assess what a person’s mental capacity may be. That analysis could involve reviewing IQ tests, reading abilities, and psychological tests. By getting a better understanding of a person’s though process and behavior, they can determine if a person is fit to speak up in the court system.
Forensic Psychiatry
Forensic psychiatry also involves a look in the mind, but in this case, the professionals try to determine what a person’s mental disorders may be. For instance, a forensic psychiatrist is often called in for a court case to determine if someone is clinically insane. Forensic psychologists do not identify problems like this. They are merely responsible for determining how well a person may be able to think for himself or herself. Forensic psychiatrists must step in to identify the cause of a person’s mental disabilities, rather than looking after the effects of them. That is the job of forensic psychologists.
Similarities in Forensic Psychology and Forensic Psychiatry
Forensic psychologists and forensic psychiatrists both have to go through doctoral degree programs to earn their licenses to practice. The amount of work involved with both practices is fairly similar, but the focus of the work is different. Forensic psychiatrists work as clinical psychiatrists when they are not involved with a criminal justice case, and forensic psychologists work as clinical psychologists. The programs are the same in many areas, but the slight differences between them make a big difference in the work you may be doing in the future.
The battle of forensic psychology vs forensic psychiatry is not really a battle at all. You may like one career more than the other, but that doesn’t make one “better” than the other. You just have to think about what you want to do in your career, and then you can find the specialization that suits your dreams.
