PSYC3236 Forensic Psychology: Legal and Clinical

2020

4.5

1 x 2-hour workshop weekly

1 Admission into BPSG-Bachelor of Psychological Studies (Graduate Entry)
1a Admission into BPSGFP-Bachelor of Psychological Studies (Graduate Entry) - City Campus
2 Admission into BHSPS-Bachelor of Health Sciences (Psychology)
2a ^ PSYC2018 - Research Methods 2
2b Admission into BHSPSFP-Bachelor of Health Sciences (Psychology) - City Campus
2c Admission into BHSFP-Bachelor of Health Sciences - City Campus
3 13.5 units of PSYC Level 2 topics
Must Satisfy: (((1 or 1a)) or ((2 or 2a or 2b or 2c) and 3))

PSYC3005 has been successfully completed

Students will need a sound understanding of general psychological principles

Psychology major: Psychology major: Bachelor of Psychology (Honours), Bachelor of Behavioural Science (Psychology), Bachelor of Psychological Science, Bachelor of Psychological Studies (graduate-entry), Bachelor of Arts

Assignments and Examination.

Percentage weighting : One of the major assessment pieces will be offered in either a problem-solving exam format or as an assignment, and it is likely that the format will vary from year to year. Regardless of format this particular problem-solving piece would be worth around 40%.

This topic will focus on the way in which psychological theory and research can be applied to issues in forensic psychology. Coverage will span both the legal and clinical domains of forensic psychology. Through in depth examination of a relatively small number of issues, the topic will illustrate how psychological principles, theories and research can further our understanding of key forensic problems encountered in the legal and clinical domains. In the psycho-legal domain potential specific areas of study may include the problems associated with accessing witnesses’ and victims’ memory reports, including trauma memories; eyewitness identification; assessing credibility, deception and confessions. In the clinical domain, topic areas include issues associated with child witnesses and victims, understanding criminal offending, including profiling, juvenile delinquency, and the criminal vulnerability of special populations such as those with ASD.

The topic aims to introduce students to both theory and research in important areas of psychological inquiry. Research in forensic psychology uses a myriad of different psychological approaches (e.g., cognitive, developmental, experimental, social and physiological psychology) to advance our understanding of issues that are important within both legal and clinical contexts, and to derive meaningful solutions for practical problems that confront professionals in those contexts on a day-to-day basis. Thus the topic will provide students with opportunity to apply their general psychological knowledge to specific areas of study.

On successful completion of this topic students should be able to:

• Demonstrate a basic knowledge and understanding of the major theoretical perspectives and empirical methods used in the specific areas of study.
• Critically evaluate psychological research.
• Demonstrate a grasp of key conceptual and methodological issues through performance on weekly workshop quizzes.
• Demonstrate the ability for coherent argument through written problem-solving reports.
• Apply the theory and research findings in the topic to practical problems encountered in everyday forensic contexts.