PSYC 335Psychology, Crime and Law
This course covers theoretical and research approaches to crime, criminal behaviour and the legal and criminal justice system. Topics may include: psychological theories of crime; violent, sexual and property offending; juvenile delinquency; psychopathy; mentally disordered offenders; the insanity defence and competency to stand trial; alcohol, drugs and crime; eyewitness identification; detection of deception in suspects; criminal investigative analysis; and offender rehabilitation.
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Course details
- Dates
- 24 Feb 2025 to 22 Jun 2025
- Starts
- Trimester 1
- Fees
- NZ$1,022.25 for
- International fees
- NZ$4,771.80
- Lecture start times
- Monday 3.10pm
- Wednesday 3.10pm
- Thursday 3.10pm
- Campus
- Kelburn
- Estimated workload
- Approximately 150 hours or 9.4 hours per week for 16 weeks
- Points
- 15
Entry restrictions
Taught by
School of Psychology—Faculty of Science
About this course
This course covers theoretical and research approaches to crime, criminal behaviour, and the legal and criminal justice system. Topics may include: the role of psychology in criminal investigation; the insanity defence and competency to stand trial; psychological theories of crime, including violent and sexual offending; the role of psychopathy, mental disorder, and substances in crime; risk assessment; the impact of sanctions; rehabilitation.
Course learning objectives
Students who pass this course should be able to:
Describe, explain, and apply psychological theories and research approaches that are relevant to understanding criminal behaviour.
Describe, explain, and apply psychological theories and research approaches that are relevant to aspects of the criminal justice system.
Critically analyse psychological research applied to criminal behaviour and the law.
How this course is taught
This course requires in-person attendance for laboratory classes, for which there are no online alternatives. Lectures for this course will also be delivered in person. Recordings of lectures will be available to use for preparation for assessment.
The in-class test that will be held during the final lecture, and the lab quizzes, which will be completed at the end of each laboratory class, will require in-person attendance.
Class sessions will be formal lectures in different formats. A variety of lecturers contribute to this course. Please note that it is each lecturer's personal decision as to whether they make slides or lecture notes available for students.
Laboratory sessions will involve a range of approaches including readings, videos, case discussions, and class discussions, which all students are expected to contribute to and participate in.
Assessment
- Critical evaluation of a scientific paper (max. 1,500 words) Mark: 25%
- Revised version of your Critical Evaluation of a scientific paper Mark: 10%
- Submission of a presentation, recorded as a 3-minute videoby PowerPoint Mark: 25%
- In-class test Mark: 30%
- Lab quizzes (best 5 of 9) Mark: 10%
Assessment dates and extensions
Once you've signed up to this course, you can use to see due dates for assessments and information about extensions.
Mandatory requirements
There are no mandatory requirements for this course.
Lecture times and rooms
What you’ll need to get
There are no special materials or equipment which students need to obtain for this course beyond usual materials like a computer.
Who to contact
Selected offering
PSYC 335
24 Feb–22 Jun 2025
Trimester 1 · CRN 8606