Forensic Psychology Understanding Offending Behaviour

<p>Forensic psychology is a constantly growing discipline and covers an exciting and broad range of topics. This module will examine key issues in forensic psychology integrating information from clinical, biological, developmental, personality, social and cognitive psychology. </p>

<p>Through engaging with this module you will develop the Intellectual, Professional, Digital and Active Citizen Abertay Attributes. In particular:</p>

<ul>

<li>Understand how knowledge is generated, processed and disseminated, and actively apply knowledge in order to recognise problems and solutions.</li>

<li>Be able to work both independently and collaboratively, understanding the values and responsibilities of equality and playing a leadership and a team-member role as required.</li>

<li>Develop digital fluency, giving them knowledge, skills and confidence to embrace digital solutions.</li>

<li>Be inclusive, globally conscientious and socially respectful, and self-reflective.</li>

</ul>

By the end of this module the student should be able to:

1. Assess the impact of environmental, family, cultural and peer influences on criminal behaviour.
2. Demonstrate an awareness of risk prediction and the basis for interventions with offenders.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of factors that increase the likelihood of serious and violent behaviour.
4. Describe and evaluate key developmental and genetic models of criminal psychopathology.
5. Understand methodological challenges associated with forensic psychology research.

1 General Issues

Introduction to offenders, offences, victims, and the role of psychology in the actions of the police, the courts and prisons.

2 Explanatory Models of Crime and Offending

Biological factors, gender differences, individual differences, childhood and developmental issues, social and economic factors, and cognitive-behavioural approaches.

3 Developmental Basis for Criminal Behaviour

Biological basis of social, aggressive, and sexual behaviour with regard to neuropsychological, neuropharmacological and evolutionary issues. Psychological and biological treatments for childhood and adult psychopathology.

4 Mental Health and Offending

Mental health issues in offending behaviour. The relationship between mental health symptoms and risk in relation to offending. Personality disorder and schizophrenia as critical issues in serious offending.

5 Personality Abnormality

Inherited and acquired conditions in lifelong risk of criminal behaviour such as ADHD, Conduct Disorder (CD) and Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD). Examining the factors that increase the likelihood of serious sexual and violent behaviour, stalking, and criminal recidivism.

6 Substance Use and Crime

Addiction Models of criminal behaviour. Models of emotional dyscontrol in offending. The role of alcohol and drugs in serious assaultive behaviour, neuropharmacology and psychology.

7 Specific Criminal Offences

Consideration of information from specific offending populations and the psychological factors contributing to offences. Offences may include violent offending, fire raising, stalking, terrorism.

8 Sexual Offending

Detailed consideration of individual offenders and the psychological characteristics of their criminal offences and offence development in relation to sexual and violent offending.

9 Risk Assessment

Critical discussion of the role and nature of risk assessments with forensic populations including specific methods of risk assessment.

10 Treatment and Interventions

Consideration of the background to the development and application of treatments and interventions including 'what works?' approaches and cognitive-behavioural treatments, as well as key issues relating to working with offenders.