Not available in 2023/24
SP271
Psychology of Crime and Criminal Justice
This information is for the 2023/24 session.
Teacher responsible
Dr Michael Shiner OLD.2.34
Availability
This course is available on the BSc in International Social and Public Policy, BSc in International Social and Public Policy and Economics and BSc in International Social and Public Policy with Politics. This course is available as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit. This course is available with permission to General Course students.
This course cannot be taken with SO210 Crime, Deviance and Control or SO240 Crime, Deviance and Control.
Course content
The course examines the contribution that psychology has made to our understanding of crime and criminal justice. It explores what psychological theory and research have to tell us about the causes of crime and the ways in which we respond to such behaviour.
Particular attention is paid to the development of individual criminality and criminal careers; drug and alcohol related crime; varieties of criminal behaviour including violence, sexual crime and stalking; mental disorder and crime; victims and victimisation; public attitudes towards punishment; public confidence in the criminal justice system; prejudice and discrimination; organisational dynamics and institutional change; offender profiling and criminal investigation; eye witness testimony and legal decision making; rehabilitation and imprisonment.
Teaching
Courses in Social Policy will follow the Teaching Model which has been adopted by the Department of Social Policy during the period of the pandemic. This is outlined HERE: /social-policy/Current-Students/teaching-in-the-department-of-social-policy
This course will be taught through a combination of either a recorded lecture plus a follow-up Q and A session or a ‘live’ on-line lecture; and classes/seminars of 1-1.5 hours (with size and length of classes/seminars depending on social distancing requirements).
Further information will be provided by the Course Convenor in the first lecture of the course.
Formative coursework
One essay per term (MT and LT)
Indicative reading
J.R. Adler and J.M.Gray, Forensic Psychology: Concepts, Debates and Practice, 2010
PB Ainsworth, Psychology and Crime: Myths and Reality, 2000
J.Brown and E.Campbell, The Cambridge Handbook of Forensic Psychology, 2010
C.R. Hollin, Psychology and Crime: An Introduction to Criminological Psychology, 2013
J McGuire, Understanding Psychology and Crime, 2004
F. Pakes and J. Winstone, Psychology and Crime: Understanding and Tackling Offending Behaviour, 2007.
Assessment
Online assessment (100%) in the ST.
Key facts
Department: Social Policy
Total students 2022/23: Unavailable
Average class size 2022/23: Unavailable
Capped 2022/23: No
Value: One Unit
Course selection videos
Some departments have produced short videos to introduce their courses. Please refer to the course selection videos index page for further information.
Personal development skills
- Leadership
- Self-management
- Team working
- Problem solving
- Communication