Overview

This unit provides students with a framework to conceptualise different types of problematic criminal behaviour (including violence, threats, intimate partner violence and fire-setting) in order to better understand and manage clients who engage in these behaviours. The unit will equip students with knowledge regarding the psychological factors that are associated with common types of offending behaviour, as well as the current evidence-base for assessing and treating offenders with such problem behaviours.

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
02-March-2026
31-May-2026
Last self-enrolment date
15-March-2026
Census date
31-March-2026
Last withdraw without fail date
21-April-2026
Results released date
07-July-2026

Learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:

  • Critically discuss the problem behaviour framework, and demonstrate advanced knowledge of how distal, proximal, individual, and contextual factors explain a range of different problem behaviours with the diverse range of clients encountered in forensic settings
  • Critique the theoretical and empirical research and contributory role of different factors into different types of problem behaviours, considering their relevance and impact on marginalised populations, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
  • Apply the problem behaviour framework to individual cases to guide the development of appropriate treatment and management plans for a range of different problem behaviours, with responsivity to the needs of marginalised groups.
  • Interpret the links between the problem behaviour framework and risk assessment of future reoffending.

Teaching methods

Hawthorn Online

Activity Type Activity Total Hours Number of Weeks Hours Per Week
Online Directed Online Learning and Independent Learning 150 12 weeks 12.5
Total Hours: 150 Total Hours (per week): 12.5

Assessment

Type Task Weighting ULO's
AssignmentIndividual 35% 2 
Case FormulationIndividual 45% 1,3 
Case PresentationIndividual 20% 1,3,4 

Content

  • Understanding problem behaviours (concept, framework, definitions, formulation, risk assessment)
  • Violence (definition, theoretical perspectives, risk factors, function, assessment, management)
  • Intimate partner violence (definition, theoretical perspectives, risk factors, assessment, management)
  • Threats (definition, theoretical perspectives, risk factors, function, assessment, management)
  • Firesetting (definition, theoretical perspectives, risk factors, function, assessment, management)

Study resources

Reading materials

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