This unit entry is for students who completed this unit in 2016 only. For students planning to study the unit, please refer to the unit indexes in the the current edition of the Handbook. If you have any queries contact the managing faculty for your course or area of study.

DPSY7211 - Psychology and criminal law

0 points, SCA Band 1, 0.000 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Psychological Sciences

Coordinator(s)

Dr Adam McKay

Offered

Clayton

First semester 2016 (Day)
First semester 2016 (Off-campus Day)

Synopsis

The unit will commence with an examination of theories of crime and criminal behaviour, with particular attention being given to psychological research on specific groups of offenders (e.g., murderers, shoplifters, arsonists, pathological gamblers, sexual offenders). Through practical sessions and seminars, students will develop some expertise in providing expert evidence in criminal cases, with such issues as fitness to plead intoxication and intent, diminished responsibility, insanity, automatism, infanticide, psychological syndromes, and mitigating factors receiving particular attention. Finally, theories and techniques of intervention with offenders will be examined.

Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should:

understand the various theories of crime and criminal behaviour;
be familiar with relevant legal definitions:
be familiar with the specific issues on which the forensic psychologist might be called as an expert in criminal cases;
be familiar with current research on specific groups of offenders;
be familiar with the various sentencing options and their impact;
understand how to amend, where necessary;
be able to apply their skills in clinical assessment and intervention to incarcerated and out-patient offenders

Assessment

Class Participation (Hurdle Requirement)
Written Assignment (100%)

Chief examiner(s)