Journal of Threat Assessment and Management, Vol 10(2), Jun 2023, 80-98; doi:10.1037/tam0000188
Threat assessment has roots in clinical and forensic psychology, including the subfield of risk assessment. The robust body of research regarding culture and social justice in clinical psychology stands in stark comparison to that of forensic psychology, with little to none in threat assessment and management. One possible theory regarding this discrepancy is threat assessors’ reliance on objectivity, avoiding demographic and cultural factors that inform the analysis of risk. Yet, the constructs of implicit bias and colorblindness assert that avoiding culture may paradoxically increase the likelihood of bias. In this article, the authors provide a review of relevant literature regarding cultural considerations in general and forensic psychology focusing on risk and threat assessment. Pertinent case law is introduced to buttress the practices outlined in this article. The authors then assert that adopting the culturally competent pillar of self-awareness is a potent first step in mitigating the risk of racial bias in the practice of threat assessment. To establish the self-awareness pillar, an explanation and stepwise guide to determine social location are provided, as well as training recommendations for the field of threat assessment and management. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)