Overview

This unit introduces students to the main types of personality and psychiatric disorders often linked to criminal behaviour. It helps students understand how different psychological factors can contribute to why people commit crimes or continue offending. The unit also explores how forensic mental health professionals assess, treat, and manage individuals who have both mental health issues and needs related to criminal behaviour.

Requisites

Teaching periods
Location
Start and end dates
Last self-enrolment date
Census date
Last withdraw without fail date
Results released date
Semester 1
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
01-January-2027
30-May-2027
Last self-enrolment date
14-March-2027
Census date
30-March-2027
Last withdraw without fail date
20-April-2027
Results released date
06-July-2027

Unit learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:

  1. Explain the role of forensic mental health professionals in providing services focused on individuals with dual mental health and criminogenic needs.
  2. Discuss the key signs and symptoms of various personality and psychiatric disorders often linked to crime.
  3. Illustrate how personality and psychiatric disorders have historically and currently factor into Australian legal decisions around mental fitness, mental impairment, and sentencing mitigation.
  4. Critically evaluate public perceptions and research evidence linking personality and psychiatric disorders to crime.
  5. Discuss how personality and psychiatric disorders are considered within the assessment and treatment of offending behaviour.

Teaching methods

All applicable locations

Activity Type Activity Total Hours Number of Weeks Hours Per Week
On-campus Lecture 24 12 weeks 2
On-campus Practical 12 12 weeks 1
Online Independent Learning 18 12 weeks 1.5
Unspecified Activities Various 96 12 weeks 8
Total Hours: 150 Total Hours (per week): 12.5

Assessment

Type Task Weighting ULOs
Online Discussion Threads Individual  30% 1,2,3,4,5
Reflective Essay Individual  35% 1,2,3,4
Oral Presentation Individual/Group  35% 1,4,5

Content

  • Introduction to the field of forensic mental health and psychology 
  • Common personality and psychiatric disorders often linked to crime
  • Relevant case law on how personality and psychiatric disorders factor into psycho-legal issues such as mental fitness, pre-sentencing mitigation, and defenses of mental impairment
  • Historical and current research findings on when and under what circumstances personality and psychiatric disorders may be primary risk factors for crime.
  • How personality and psychiatric disorders can influence a person's risk of reoffending and guide their treatment
  • Common approaches and current trends in treating personality and psychiatric disorders to help reduce criminal behaviour

Study resources

Reading materials

A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.