PS30158: Forensic psychology
[Page last updated: 15 October 2020]
 Academic Year: | 2020/1 |
| Owning Department/School: | Department of Psychology |
| Credits: | 6 [equivalent to 12 CATS credits] |
| Notional Study Hours: | 120 |
| Level: | Honours (FHEQ level 6) |
| Period: |
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| Assessment Summary: | ES 80%, OR 20% |
| Assessment Detail: |
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| Supplementary Assessment: |
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| Requisites: | Before taking this module you must take PS20107 |
| Description: | Aims: The intention of this unit is to: * 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: In completing this unit students would be expected to: * To critically evaluate 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: * Comprehensive and scholarly written communication (e.g. essays) * Concise, time-bound and effective written communication (e.g. briefings / exams) * Ability to select, summarise and synthesis written information from multiple sources * Ability to develop rigorous arguments through precise use of concepts and models * Ability to apply theory into practice * Ability to select and use appropriate ideas to produce a coherent response to a pre-set question * Ability to produce work to agreed specifications and deadlines * Ability to work independently, without close supervision of guidance Content: 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. |
| Programme availability: |
PS30158 is Optional on the following programmes:Department of Psychology
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