This module will explore some of the major psychological contributions towards understanding crime and criminal behaviour. Developmental, social and genetic contributions towards understanding the psychology of criminality and the individual experience of crime will be considered. Also included will be critical evaluations of the methodologies adopted by researchers in the field and the contributions of this psychological research towards understanding contemporary and key issues such as juvenile offending and violent offending.

An unseen 1.5 hour CLASS TEST, contributing 100% of the overall module mark (LO's 1, 2, and 3)

FormativeAssessment/Feedback:
Peer and tutor feedback on independent and class based student activities. Feedback on practice exam questions.

PLEASE NOTE ALTERNATIVE ASSESSMENTS FOR Semester 1 and 2 2020/21 DUE TO COVID-19 AS FOLLOWS:

Resit class test will be Essay - 1500 words

VLE package e.g. Blackboard.

Davies, G.M., Hollin, C.R. & Bull, R. (Eds.) (2008). Forensic Psychology. Sussex: Wiley.
Gavin, H (2014). Criminological and Forensic Psychology. London. Sage.
Howitt, D. (2015). Forensic and Criminal Psychology (3rd Edition). Harlow: Pearson Education.
Towl, G. & Crighton, D. A. (2010). Forensic Psychology. Chichester : Blackwell

Students must be registered on a Psychology award

1. DEMONSTRATE KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE CRITICAL CONCEPTS, IDEAS AND ISSUES WITHIN THE TOPIC AREAS CHOSEN FROM WITHIN THE MODULE CONTENT. Knowledge & Understanding

2. CRITICALLY EVALUATE THE CONTRIBUTION OF THE RESEARCH, INCLUDING APPROPRIATE METHODOLOGICAL STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES, TOWARDS UNDERSTANDING THE CONTEMPORARY ISSUES WITHIN THE TOPIC AREAS CHOSEN. Analysis
Application

3. EXPRESS RELEVANT IDEAS, KNOWLEDGE AND READING IN A SUCCINCT, COHERENT AND CLEAR WRITTEN MEDIUM. Communication

Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities: Weekly 2 hour class sessions. These will incorporate tutor led lectures, and tutor and student led interactive activities and discussions. These will include video, debates, paper-based exercises and case study analyses. You will also have the opportunity to attend 1 x 2 hour module/assessment support session. During the course of the module students will also be expected to complete a series of tutor guided tasks and investigations which will form the basis of some class-based activities and discussions, which will assist in the submitted assessments. Guided Independent Study: The independent learning hours will consist of a combination of guided further reading, completing tasks for session preparation, and for assessment preparation.

This module will explore some of the major psychological contributions towards understanding crime and criminal behaviour. Developmental, social and genetic contributions towards understanding the psychology of criminality and the individual experience of crime will be considered. Also included will be critical evaluations of the methodologies adopted by researchers in the field and the contributions of this psychological research towards understanding contemporary and key issues such as juvenile offending and violent offending.