PSY30080 Psychology and Crime

Academic Year 2020/2021

This module examines the overlap between theories and research within criminology and within psychology in order to examine the concept of crime from an inter-disciplinary perspective. Rather than being a course in Forensic Psychology, it offers a critique of the potential of such an approach. Gender disparities in offending, the efficacy of drug criminalization, and psychological aspects of the criminal justice system such as eyewitness testimony and jury decision-making are covered, as are sensitive topics, such as recidivism among child sex offenders and intervention with offenders.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module students should be able to:Understand the different domains of psychology, criminology and forensic psychology. Recognise the variety of areas where psychology can make a contribution to our understanding of crime. Appreciate the implications of specific research around problematic areas of the criminal justice system.

Indicative Module Content:

1/ Introduction to the Study of Crime
2/ Sociological theories of Crime
3/ The Economics of Crime
4/ Criminogenic Influences
5/ Women and Crime
6/ Crime, Public Opinion and the Media
7/ Treatment of Offenders – What Works?
8/ Mental Illness and Crime
9/ Drugs and Crime
10/ Interviews, Interrogations and Confessions
11/ Juries and Eyewitnesses
12/ Sex Offenders
13/ Offender Profiling

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

22
Specified Learning Activities

16
Autonomous Student Learning

87
Total

125
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
The aim of this course is to introduce the student to psychological theories, models and research, relevant in understanding crime and the criminal justice system. The course assessment is based on a presentation (and accompanying MCQs) and an essay. Following the initial two weeks, when some basic criminological principles are introduced, the two hour weekly interaction will consist of a lecture on the topic followed by a student group presentation on the same topic (i.e. for lectures 5-13).
The approach is to encourage students to achieve a good overview of the psychology of crime, but also in-depth specialisation in a small number of topics. For example, students can choose to do their essay (the main contributor to the module grade) on the same topic as their presentation. This is to allow for a strongly detailed exploration of a topic. Students are also asked to make a presentation, and to generate MCQs on their presented topic - this allows for development of skills like public presentation, and peer feedback on the presented work. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Recommendations:

It's recommended that some modules should have been taken from Psychology, Sociology or Criminology.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Essay: 3000 word maximum Coursework (End of Trimester) n/a Standard conversion grade scale 40% No

70
Presentation: One short presentation to rest of class on a topic, about 10 minutes in duration. Marked according to structured set of characteristics - this structure given to students at beginning of semester. Varies over the Trimester n/a Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% Yes

20
Multiple Choice Questionnaire (Short): MCQs provided by classmates Varies over the Trimester n/a Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No

10

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Summer No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

The assessment is divided into a 3,000 word essay (worth 70%), a 10 minute presentation as part of a group (but individually assessed, worth 20%), and a series of short in-class MCQ tests provided by peers after their presentations (worth 10%). The main assessment, the essay, is submitted at the end of term. The student will be emailed with the provisional grade and a brief explanation underlying this grade within three weeks of the essay's submission. Higher grades will be given for originality and insight. The presentation is graded according to a series of quantified characteristics, and this grading structure is provided to the students at the beginning of the semester. The MCQs (five in all each week, with four answers to choose from) from weeks 3-11.