Introduction to Forensic Psychology
Duration
- One Semester or equivalent
Contact hours
- 36 hours
On-campus unit delivery combines face-to-face and digital learning. For Online unit delivery, learning is conducted exclusively online.
2024 teaching periods
Hawthorn Higher Ed. Semester 1 |
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Dates: Results: Last self enrolment: Census: Last withdraw without fail: |
Swinburne Online Teaching Period 2 |
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Dates: Results: Last self enrolment: Census: Last withdraw without fail: |
Prerequisites
HAY120 - Introduction to Forensic Psychology; SHAY120 - Introduction to Forensic Psychology
Aims and objectives
1. Describe the structure of the criminal justice system in Australia and internationally
2. Understand the principles of interviewing suspects and witnesses used by the police, by psychologists and in the courtroom and other forms of eyewitness testimony
3. Outline the strategies used in deception and detecting lies
4. Describe the process of risk assessment for violence and re-offending
5. Explain how crime is defined and measured and describe the different perspectives in criminology
6. Understand the developmental risk factors related to criminal behaviour
Unit information in detail
- Teaching methods, assessment and content.
Teaching methods
Hawthorn
Type | Hours per week | Number of Weeks | Total |
On-Campus Lecture | 3 | 12 | 36 |
Online Various | 4 | 12 | 48 |
Unspecified Activities Independent Learning | 5.5 | 12 | 66 |
TOTAL | 150 hours |
Swinburne Online
Type | Hours per week | Number of Weeks | Total |
Live Online Class | 1 | 12 | 12 |
Online Directed Online Learning and Independent Learning | 11.5 | 12 | 128 |
TOTAL | 150 hours |
Assessment
Types | Individual or Group task | Weighting | Assesses attainment of these ULOs |
Midterm Examination | Individual | 20% | 1, 2, 6 |
Essay | Individual | 40% | 3, 4 |
Final Examination | Individual | 40% | 4, 5, 6 |
Content
- A comparative analysis of the Australian criminal justice system
- Theoretical perspectives in criminology (psychological, sociological, psychiatric)
- Defining and measuring crime (the uniform crime reporting system)
- Interviewing and detection of deception techniques
- Research methods in forensic psychology
- Risk assessment
- Eyewitness testimony and false memories
- Developmental risk factors for criminal behaviour, social risk factors, parental and family risk factors, and psychological risk factors
Study resources
- Reading materials.