PS52045: Fundamentals in psychology, crime and law
[Page last updated: 15 August 2024]
| Academic Year: | 2024/25 |
| Owning Department/School: | Department of Psychology |
| Credits: | 15 [equivalent to 30 CATS credits] |
| Notional Study Hours: | 300 |
| Level: | Masters UG & PG (FHEQ level 7) |
| Period: |
- Modular - September Start (M02)
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| Assessment Summary: | CWES 100% |
| Assessment Detail: |
- Essay (CWES 50%)
- Critical Review of an Empirical Paper (CWES 50%)
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| Supplementary Assessment: |
- Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
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| Requisites: |
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| Learning Outcomes: |
By the end of the unit, you will be able to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of forensic psychology and the role of forensic psychologists in legal and criminal justice settings (e.g., court; secure units; social care; prison and probation)
- Critically appraise psychological theories of crime and criminality
- Demonstrate knowledge and skills that underpin work with both offenders and victims of crime
- Critically evaluate the research concerning the impact of childhood experiences on the development of offending behaviour.
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| Synopsis: | Develop an appreciation of the role of forensic psychologists in legal and criminal justice settings.
You'll gain a critical understanding of psychological theories of crime and criminality, and develop knowledge and skills that are important in working with offenders and victims.
In-session tasks will support your skills development, with formal assessment evaluating your ability to engage in critical appraisal of theoretical perspectives.
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| Content: | This unit will provide the theoretical underpinning and evidence base for key concepts in forensic psychology. Forensic Psychology as a profession, the Criminal Justice System, and how the two interact will be discussed, including the roles and settings in which Forensic Psychologists may work. Additionally, the unit will focus on theories of criminal behaviour, include a variety of crime types (e.g., violence, sexual offending, terrorism). The Unit will also explore the theoretical underpinnings of the development of criminal behaviour and victimisation throughout the lifespan.
This unit particularly covers the BPS curriculum areas:
- Legal and Criminal Justice Context
- Assessment and Formulation (e.g., different clinical presentations and tools, such as Psychopathy and the PCL-R)
- Client Groups (e.g., working with different populations)
- Forensic Psychology Settings (e.g., Prisons, Courts, Criminal Justice System, Youth Offending, Children's Services)
Plus, development of BPS Core Skills:
- Critical evaluation of current knowledge, theory and evidence-base
- Development of critical self-reflection
- Identifying and developing skills and capabilities relevant to progression to forensic psychology practice
- Communicating effectively (verbally and non-verbally)
- Disseminating your work in a range of appropriate written and oral formats
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| Course availability: |
PS52045 is a Must Pass Unit on the following courses:
Department of Psychology
- THPS-AWM31 : MSc Applied Forensic Psychology with Placement
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Notes: - This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2024/25 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2025/26 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2024/25.
- Courses and units are subject to change in accordance with normal University procedures.
- Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.
- Find out more about these and other important University terms and conditions here.
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