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Department of Psychology, Unit Catalogue 2007/08


PS30114 Forensic psychology

Credits: 6
Level: Honours
Semester: 1
Assessment: EX 100%
Requisites:
Before taking this unit you must take PS20106 and take PS20108 and take PS20109
Aims: To investigate the contribution of psychology to our understanding of crime, its perpetration, control and prevention. To cover core topics such as theories of crime, 'cycles of crime', and psychological issues in the treatment of offenders and the risks of recidivism.
Learning Outcomes:
To develop an understanding of psychological theories relevant to the study of Forensic Psychology
To gain an insight into the use of psychological theory and research in criminal investigations
To demonstrate a critical understanding of issues surrounding the punishment and treatment of offenders
To develop a critical approach to these key issues in Forensic Psychology.
Skills:
The student can demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the topics focused on in this unit, in particular of the attitude construct, attitude change, decision making, attitude-behaviour relationships and the influence of social processes and context. (T/F A)
The student has detailed knowledge of some specialised areas and/or applications, some of which are at the cutting edge of research in the discipline. (T/F A)
The student is able to select relevant paradigms and research methods for answering particular research questions. (T/F A)
The student is able to read and understand empirical journal articles and relate these to existing bodies of knowledge. (T/F A)
The student is able to apply theoretical notions to practical problems and phenomena. (T/F A)
The student can reason scientifically and take a critical view on arguments and research outcomes. (T/F A)
The student is computer literate and is able to retrieve scientific articles from the available databases. (T/F A)
The student can solve problems by clarifying questions, considering alternative solutions and evaluating outcomes. (T/F A)
The student is able to plan and organise the study activities that are required in this unit, take charge of his or her own learning, and can reflect and evaluate personal strengths and weaknesses for the purpose of future learning. (T/F A)
Content:
The unit will be organised as eleven 2-hour lectures. The following topics will be covered during the course:
Theories of crime: Particular emphasis on social and environmental theories, and individual oriented theories of crime.
Juvenile offending: Explanations and social interventions of delinquency, and lifespan development and crime.
Violent crime: Theories of aggression and violent crime, antecedents of aggression, personality and aggression, and the cycle of violence.
Sexual crime: Theories of sexual deviance and rape, pornography and sex offending, myths surrounding rape, and cycles of abuse.
Psychological profiling: The role of profiling in police investigations, approaches to psychological profiling, and the effectiveness of profiling.
Eyewitness testimony: The accuracy of witness evidence, eyewitness evidence in court, mistaken identifications, and enhancing eyewitness memory.
Offender treatment: Psychological services in prison, the treatment of offenders via groupwork, and the effectiveness of prison.
Offender recidivism: The assessment of risk and dangerousness, predictor factors, and research on reducing recidivism.