Forensic and Mental Health
| Code | School | Level | Credits | Semesters |
| PSGY3013 | Psychology | 3 | 10 | Autumn UK |
- Code
- PSGY3013
- School
- Psychology
- Level
- 3
- Credits
- 10
- Semesters
- Autumn UK
Summary
The area of forensic mental health is extremely pertinent in both the criminal justice system and mental health services, and the integration of the two. It is a growing area of research in Psychology and it is an area in which students are increasingly wishing to work following their degree. The module will concentrate on offending behaviours, typical categorisation of those who commit crimes or harm themselves, standard interventions for offenders and the neuroscience of offending. The course will also cover the current research on specific offending behaviours, and examine the role of the criminal justice system and health service in dealing with individuals who offend.
Target Students
Third Year Psychology, Psychology and Cognitive Neuroscience and Psychology and Philosophy Students, Diploma/Masters in Psychology (conversion) students.
Classes
Lectures per week in the Autumn Semester
Assessment
- 100% Exam 1 (2-hour): Written Exam
Assessed by end of autumn semester
Educational Aims
This course will provide an introduction forensic psychology and mental health and the interaction of the two. It will examine the current research, theory, methods and neuroanatomy of various aspects of offending behaviour and the relationship between criminal activity and poor mental health. Complementary evidence from different branches of cognitive, clinical, forensic, biological and social psychology will be integrated as well as criminological approaches. The course will focus predominantly on the main theoretical explanations for offending behaviour and the reasons why those committing offences and under sentence suffer poor mental health. The efficacy or various treatment, rehabilitative and custodial options will be explored. The development of students’ critical appraisal of theoretical approaches and the evaluation of current methods of intervention is a key aim of this module..Learning Outcomes
1. Knowledge and understanding:
- (i) Demonstrate understanding of the scope of psychological study as an applied science with measurable and observable variables
- (ii) Demonstrate understanding of broad application of social and health psychological theories to accommodate criminological and clinical approaches
- (iii) Demonstrate knowledge of research methods and paradigms used in the study of mental health and forensic psychology
- b) Module-specific benchmarks
(i) Demonstrate knowledge of the theoretical antecedents of specific criminal offences (e.g. violence, theft, sexual assault)
- (ii) Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the theoretical bases for the relevant methods of treatment of offenders, i.e. within the penal system, the community and the health service
- (iii) Demonstrate understanding of the clinical interventions in prisons, hospitals and community to treat offenders with poor mental health
- (iv) Demonstrate knowledge of the historical and contemporary categorisation of offenders (mad, sad, bad)
- (v) Demonstrate knowledge of the theoretical and empirical support for a link between brain structure and function and offending-related behaviours
2. Intellectual skills a) Generic Skills Benchmarks:
- (i) Provide evidence based reasoning to establish the merits of competing theories of treating offenders – particularly those with mental health problems
- (ii) Critically appraise empirical evidence for the theoretical positions proposed
- (iii) Develop a broader knowledge base of the subjects studies via independent and appropriate reading
- (iv) Produce written arguments that show critical appraisal and good understanding of the main issues central to the topics
- (v) Integrate the theoretical and applied nature of the topic
- b) Module-specific Skills benchmarks
(i) Provide situation specific analysis of the treatment of various offender groups
- (ii) Appropriately interpret findings from studies of offenders, and offenders with mental health problems in relation to hypothesis testing, methods, and analysis
3. Professional Practice Skills:
- (i) Evidence of academic skills (essay writing, library research, independent study)
4. Transferable/key skills:
- (i) Demonstrate evidence-based analysis and critical appraisal
- (ii) Supply formal presentation and argument in analysis of evidence
- (iii) Produce well-organised and structured written work
- (iv) Work independently
- (v) Work within groups
- (vi) Perform effective literature searches
- (vii) Present written argument in concise and time-restricted manner