Description

Develop understanding of forensic psychology as it is applied to criminal behavior and the criminal justice system. Topics include theories of crime, eyewitness memory, child witnesses, jury decision making, and identifying risk factors for violence.

In this course, you will:

💡 Demonstrate an informed awareness of the contrition psychology has made to our understanding of criminal behavior and developments in criminal justice processes.

💡 Apply and evaluate psychological theories and research how these have been applied in the explanation of criminal behavior and in criminal justice processes.

💡 Provide a variety of explanations as to why criminal behavior occurs that are specific to relevant cases, showing an ability to distinguish between different types of offenders.

💡 Make recommendations to the criminal justice system based upon research.

Course text:

Pozzulo, J., Bennell, C., & Forth, A. (2021). Forensic psychology (1st ed.). Routledge.

Recommended Further Reading:

Bartol, C., & Bartol, A. (2017). Criminal behavior, a psychological approach (11th global ed.). Pearson.

Cotterill, B. F. (2022). Are children reliable witnesses? Palgrave Macmillan.

Miller, L. (2012). Criminal psychology: nature, nurture, and culture. Charles C. Thomas.

Raine, A. (2013). The anatomy of violence: the biological roots of crime. Vintage.

Course Assignments:

Discussion Participation - 10%

Quizzes - 15%

Exams - 75%

Schedule:

Topics that we will cover:

1. Situational Risk Factors for Violence

2. Neuropsychological Risk Factors for Violence

3. Developmental & Learning Risk Factors for Violence

4. Homicidal Offenders

5. Sexual Offenders & Stalkers

6. Firesetters

7. Psychology of Police Investigations: False Confessions

8. Psychology of Police Investigations:  Criminal Profiling

9. Detecting Deception

10.  Eyewitness Testimony

11. Psychopathy

12. Child Witnesses

13. Juries