PSYCHOLOGY OF CRIMINAL BEHAVIOUR - 2023/4

Module Overview

This module considers the psychological and physiological factors relevant to understanding of criminality. This module introduces you to psychological theories of criminal behaviour, the contexts within which criminal behaviour occurs and the means for managing and evaluating interventions designed to reduce crime and re-offending

Module provider

Sociology

Module Leader

HALL Matthew (Sociology)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 5

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Module Availability

Semester 1

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

None

Module content

Indicative content includes:

• Psychological theories of criminal behaviour.


• Biological theories of criminal behaviour.


• Homicide and assault.


• Sexual offences.


• Juvenile offending.


• Mentally disordered offenders.


• The psychopath.


• Aggression and violence.


• The treatment of criminal behaviour.

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

N/A

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate understanding of the psychological approaches to criminality, how learning and psycho-biological factors may influence criminal behaviour and  the theoretical and practical approaches.

Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:
 

• 1500 WORDS ESSAY
   


• 1500 WORDS REFLEXIVE REPORT

 


Formative assessment and feedback
Students are given the opportunity to discuss their plans for both assignments in individual tutorials. Full guidance and advice is also given in dedicated assessment weeks. Feedback from assignment 1 will be provided in advance of assignment 2. 

Module aims

• Examine how psychological theory and research has contributed to the study of crime and criminal behaviour.
• Introduce students to biological theories of criminal behaviour
• Explore the treatment of criminal behaviour 

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to assist students in an understanding of the psychological approaches to criminality, how learning and psycho-biological factors may influence criminal behaviour and the theoretical and practical approaches to the treatment of criminal behaviour

The learning and teaching methods include:

·         Lectures, seminars, class discussion 

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: SOC2074

Programmes this module appears in

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2023/4 academic year.