Individuals looking for an introduction to forensic psychology may research several different roles as they navigate various forensic psychology professions. The following areas may interest individuals looking into potential careers:
Introduction To Forensic And Criminal Psycholog...
Individuals interested in exploring an introduction to forensic psychology gain an understanding of why forensic psychology is important. Essentially, forensic psychologists play a vital role in applying psychology to the law. In doing so, forensic psychologists offer insights into past crimes to help prevent future crimes. In civil cases, they can influence legal outcomes for families in cases such as insurance claims or custody disputes.
Since forensic psychologists can work in a variety of locations, such as courthouses, prisons and detention centers, police stations, and law firms, they can provide evidence, navigate criminal cases, interview suspects, and serve as expert witnesses. They also play an important role in civil matters, such as child abuse cases, custody reports, and psychotherapy. They work with individuals, families, and witnesses to conduct research and assess distinct cases. The work of forensic psychologists matters because they can often provide the final piece of information or evidence necessary to fairly and effectively resolve cases.
PSYC 3350 - Introduction to Forensic Psychology (3) Credit Hours
Prerequisite: PSYC 1102 ; PSYC 2000 or PSYC 2010 ; PSYC 2400 or PSYC 3301 ; or permission of instructor for non-psychology majors.
This course will provide an overview of the field of clinical forensic psychology and the various ways in which psychology interacts with the legal system. This course will acquaint students with the substantive laws that are addressed in forensic evaluations (e.g., legal definitions of competency and criminal responsibility) and the ways in which forensic psychological practice may differ from general clinical practice (e.g., the importance of obtaining and evaluating third-party information when conducting forensic assessments). The nature and importance of relevant ethical principles governing the practice of psychology in relation to the legal system will also be discussed. Specific topics include psychological testimony, civil commitment, assessments of dangerousness, the rights of mentally disabled individuals, competency to stand trial, child custody disputes and assessment of psychological damages in civil litigation. The appropriate scope and limitations of psychological practice and techniques in relation to the legal system will be discussed throughout the course.
This course will survey the major areas of psychology and law, including (but not limited to) psychology of forensic science, lie detection, interrogations and confessions, eyewitness memory, jury decision making, mental health law, and the psychology of specific types of criminal offenders. Information provided via lectures, videos, articles, and the text will provide the student with a broad understanding of the impact that psychology can have on any one individual within the criminal justice system, as well as the impact that psychology can have on the legal system itself.
Thus, the practice of forensic psychology, and perhaps the most frequent duty of forensic psychologists, is the psychological assessment of individuals who are involved, in one way or another, with the legal system. Therefore, although it is necessary to have training in law and forensic psychology, the most important skills a forensic psychologist must possess are solid clinical skills. That is, skills like clinical assessment, interviewing, report writing, strong verbal communication skills (especially if an expert witness in court) and case presentation are all very important in setting the foundation of the practice of forensic psychology. With these skills forensic psychologists perform such tasks as threat assessment for schools, child custody evaluations, competency evaluations of criminal defendants and of the elderly, counseling services to victims of crime, death notification procedures, screening and selection of law enforcement applicants, the assessment of post-traumatic stress disorder and the delivery and evaluation of intervention and treatment programs for juvenile and adult offenders. The practice of forensic psychology involves investigations, research studies, assessments, consultation, the design and implementation of treatment programs and expert witness courtroom testimony.
Jane Tyler Ward, PhD, is a psychotherapist in private practice, working with individuals and families. Her practice includes forensic evaluations for the courts, court-referred children and families, and she has been an expert witness in child development and memory, adolescent development, and psychology in Lehigh, Northampton, Schuylkill and Monroe counties, Pennsylvania. Currently she specializes in working with abducted children and serves as an advisor to the Rachel Foundation, an organization dedicated to reintegrating abducted children with their left-behind parents. Her most recent research and presentations in this area have been on deception and the efficacy of criminal profiling.
Research indicates that there are psychological principles at play in the situations encountered by law enforcement personnel. The book fulfills an important need in the ever-evolving field of criminal justice, providing a working knowledge of forensic psychology and its application to interview strategies, homicide, emotional disturbance, sexual and domestic violence, hostage negotiations, and other situations. It will help law enforcement to understand, interpret, and anticipate behavior, while responding safely and effectively.
PSY 2770 - Introduction to Forensic PsychologyCredits: 3Provides an overview of forensic psychology. This course explores both current research and practice in police psychology, criminal psychology, victimology, correctional psychology, and the interface of psychology and the courts. This course facilitates an understanding of the numerous careers related to forensic psychology and how to prepare for them. Course is not repeatable for credit.
You will gain competencies in foundational psychology, scientific inquiry, critical thinking, ethical and social responsibility, personal and professional development and forensics. The forensic psychology emphasis examines the role of forensic scientists in the justice and psychology fields. While pursuing a BS in forensic psychology, you will acquire knowledge of criminological and victimological theories and will apply psychology theories to better understand criminal behavior and propensity. Emphasis areas of study include:
This course is an introduction to the field of forensic psychology. Forensic psychology is where the science of the mind intersects with the law. This course explores the scientific principles of psychology as applied to the legal setting. The role and practice of forensic psychology is explored.
This course provides an introduction to criminal liability with an emphasis on the elements of a crime and governmental sanctions of individual conduct as formulated by the legislature and the court system.
The course will explore forensic psychology links to the criminal justice system through such topics as criminal profiling, police psychology, psychology in the criminal courts, correctional psychology, investigative psychology, crime psychology, theories of crime, lie detection, eyewitness errors, psychotherapy, false confession, psychopathy, antisocial personality disorder and expert testimony. (This course is one of the requirements for the minor in Forensic Science.)
Pre-requisite(s): None.
This paper introduces students to forensic psychology and encompasses a wide range of topics derived from the intersection of psychology with the crime, the legal system and the criminal justice system.
With a bachelor's in forensic psychology, you'll have a thorough understanding of psychological principles and how to apply them to issues in the real world. While you might have your sights set on a job that involves investigating crimes or profiling criminals, it's important to know that earning your online forensic psychology degree can lead you down any number of career paths.
Your understanding of criminal minds could be perfectly suited for a career in the police force. While you'll likely be in a patrol position for a few years before being recommended for promotion, your background in forensic psychology will be helpful in making your way to becoming a detective.
Throughout the forensic psychology program, you'll strengthen your skills in research and assessment, criminal psychology, social psychology and theories of personality. As part of the concentration, you'll be required to take the following forensic psychology courses:
Our forensic psychology degree actually includes a criminal psychology course. Designed to provide insights about crime from a psychological perspective, the course focuses on how various systems influence criminal offenders. Put another way, criminal psychology is about the motives and influences behind antisocial acts.
Written by authors with extensive experience in the field and in the classroom, Introduction to Forensic Psychology: Research and Application, Sixth Edition demonstrates how to analyze psychological knowledge and research findings and apply these findings to the civil and criminal justice systems. Focusing on research-based forensic practice and practical application, the authors use real-life examples and case law discussions to define and explore forensic psychology. Students are introduced to emerging specializations within forensic psychology, including investigative psychology, family forensic psychology, and police and public safety psychology. Research related to bias, diversity, and discrimination is included throughout the text to give students a multicultural perspective that is critical to the successful practice of forensic psychology.
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