Course Resources Archive

This module provides an introduction to the contribution of psychology to the criminal and legal process. It explores different phases of the legal process, and various perspectives on, and methods concerning, the assessment of the 'truth'. It discusses a number of difficulties and controversies within this applied area, and examines decision-making in the legal context and the role of the psychologist in the criminal justice system. It explores principal theories and applications of forensic psychology, and enables students to develop a critical understanding of how psychological theory is applied to various forensic settings and to criminal offending behaviour. It develops a critical approach within students and promotes their employability skills.

The application of psychological knowledge to the investigation of crime and court proceedings, e.g. eyewitness testimony, enhancing victim/witness recall during police interviewing, vulnerable witnesses, interviewing suspects of crime, detecting deception, and the psychology of false confessions.

Theoretical explanations of criminal offending behaviour.

Exploring different offending groups, e.g. juvenile offenders, female offenders, offenders suffering mental illness, and issues regarding the imprisonment and criminogenic needs of offenders.

Exploring different offence types, e.g. sex offending.

Issues regarding the treatment of offenders, the assessment of risk, dangerousness, and recidivism.

Ethical issues in conducting research and practice in forensic psychology.

A student passing this module should be able to:

1. Demonstrate knowledge of how psychological theory and research can contribute to forensic issues.
2. Demonstrate critical understanding of the aetiological explanations of criminal offending behaviour, and critically evaluate the viability and validity of a range of aetiological explanations of crime and draw logical and appropriate conclusions.
3. Investigate applied problems in selected forensic contexts, by integrating knowledge of theory and practice.
4. Critically evaluate the implications of the practice of the forensic psychologist within the criminal justice system.
5. Demonstrate a number of transferable skills such as conducting literature searches, the ability to summarise and explain empirical findings, and to critically assess the research methods and strategies used.
6. To show the ability to draw on material from a range of sources, synthesise them, and put forward a logical, coherent and well referenced/evidenced argument. 

The Library Catalogue contains full details of the current reading list for this module. Further details may also be found in the Module Guide.