Addressing Bias in the Forensic Assessment of Sexual Harassment Claims
L. H. Gold,
Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law
26(4): 563-578, 1998.
This article addresses unique biases that arise in the assessment of sexual
harassment claims by forensic psychiatrists. These include gender biases, diagnostic biases,
sociopolitical biases, and bias that arises from lack of knowledge regarding sexual harassment or
lack of formal psychiatric training. Forensic psychiatrists are ethically obligated to strive for
objectivity and honesty in their assessments. By becoming aware of these biases and attempting to
minimize them, we can meet our ethical obligations as forensic psychiatrists. In addition, we can
provide more credible and valuable assessments to the courts in this increasingly litigated and
partisan issue.