Problem:
For many years, psychologist searched for the criminal personality, a common set of personality characteristics associated with criminals. If you were asked to assist in this effort, what methods would you use to capture the criminal personality? Would you use objective personality inventories? If you were successful, what would you do with your findings? How could this common personality profile be used in the criminal justice system?
A major funding agency has given a large grant for changing the quality of life in a high-crime inner-city neighborhood where residents are afraid to let their children play outside. You are the project director. Whom would you hire as consultants? Would you work with law enforcement? Finally, what would be your goals, and how would you reach them?