General Information
Forensic Psychology is the interface between the disciplines of Psychology and the Law. This subject introduces students to the field of Forensic Psychology, with a focus on the criminal applications and settings in which forensic psychologists work. The subject is designed to develop critical thinking skills concerning empirical research and theory in forensic psychology. Please be advised that this subject contains material that some students may find distressing. This material includes research and case examples of sexual offending, and violent offending.
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Details
Academic unit: Faculty of Society & Design Subject code: PSYC71-407 Subject title: Forensic Psychology Subject level: Postgraduate Semester/Year: September 2023 Credit points: 10.000 -
Delivery & attendance
Timetable: https://bond.edu.au/timetable Delivery mode: Standard Workload items: - Lecture: x12 (Total hours: 24) - Weekly Lecture
- Tutorial: x12 (Total hours: 12) - Weekly Tutorial
- Personal Study Hours: x12 (Total hours: 84) - Recommended Study Hours
Attendance and learning activities: Students are encouraged to read the corresponding chapter from the textbook prior to tutorial (e.g. Week 7 Violent Offenders, Chapter 7), and to prepare any questions to clarify areas of misunderstanding, or particular interest. -
Resources
Prescribed resources: Books
- Dennis Howitt (2018). Introduction to Forensic and Criminal Psychology. 6th, UK Pearson 720
Journals
- Heltzel, T. (2007). Compatibility of therapeutic and forensic roles. Professional Psychology: Research and practice 122-128
- Gannon, T., and Pina, A (2010). Firesetting: psychopathology, theory and treatment. Aggression and Violent behaviour 224-238
- Gaughwin, P.C. (2005). On being insane in medio-legal places: the importance of taking a complete history in forensic mental health assessment. Psychiatry, Psychology and Law 298-310
iLearn@Bond & Email: iLearn@Bond is the Learning Management System at Bond University and is used to provide access to subject materials, class recordings and detailed subject information regarding the subject curriculum, assessment, and timing. Both iLearn and the Student Email facility are used to provide important subject notifications.
Additionally, official correspondence from the University will be forwarded to students’ Bond email account and must be monitored by the student.
To access these services, log on to the Student Portal from the Bond University website as www.bond.edu.au
| Academic unit: | Faculty of Society & Design |
|---|---|
| Subject code: | PSYC71-407 |
| Subject title: | Forensic Psychology |
| Subject level: | Postgraduate |
| Semester/Year: | September 2023 |
| Credit points: | 10.000 |
| Timetable: | https://bond.edu.au/timetable |
|---|---|
| Delivery mode: | Standard |
| Workload items: |
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| Attendance and learning activities: | Students are encouraged to read the corresponding chapter from the textbook prior to tutorial (e.g. Week 7 Violent Offenders, Chapter 7), and to prepare any questions to clarify areas of misunderstanding, or particular interest. |
| Prescribed resources: | Books
Journals
|
|---|---|
| iLearn@Bond & Email: | iLearn@Bond is the Learning Management System at Bond University and is used to provide access to subject materials, class recordings and detailed subject information regarding the subject curriculum, assessment, and timing. Both iLearn and the Student Email facility are used to provide important subject notifications. Additionally, official correspondence from the University will be forwarded to students’ Bond email account and must be monitored by the student. To access these services, log on to the Student Portal from the Bond University website as www.bond.edu.au |
Enrolment requirements
| Requisites: |
Nil |
|---|---|
| Assumed knowledge: |
Assumed knowledge is the minimum level of knowledge of a subject area that students are assumed to have acquired through previous study. It is the responsibility of students to ensure they meet the assumed knowledge expectations of the subject. Students who do not possess this prior knowledge are strongly recommended against enrolling and do so at their own risk. No concessions will be made for students’ lack of prior knowledge.
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| Restrictions: |
Nil |
Assurance of learning
Assurance of Learning means that universities take responsibility for creating, monitoring and updating curriculum, teaching and assessment so that students graduate with the knowledge, skills and attributes they need for employability and/or further study.
At Bond University, we carefully develop subject and program outcomes to ensure that student learning in each subject contributes to the whole student experience. Students are encouraged to carefully read and consider subject and program outcomes as combined elements.
Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs)
Program Learning Outcomes provide a broad and measurable set of standards that incorporate a range of knowledge and skills that will be achieved on completion of the program. If you are undertaking this subject as part of a degree program, you should refer to the relevant degree program outcomes and graduate attributes as they relate to this subject.
Subject Learning Outcomes (SLOs)
On successful completion of this subject the learner will be able to:
- Demonstrate understanding of major concepts and historical trends in forensic psychology.
- Demonstrate comprehension and application of a broad and coherent body of knowledge of Psychology, with depth of understanding of underlying principles, theories and concepts in the discipline, using a scientific approach.
- Demonstrate appropriate interpersonal communication and interview skills in situations appropriate to psychological practice and research. This includes active listening, clarifying and reflecting, effective questioning, summarising and paraphrasing, developing rapport, appropriate cultural responsiveness and empathic responding.
- Demonstrate basic assessment strategies in situations appropriate to psychological practice and knowledge of psychometric theory and principles of the construction, cultural considerations, implementation and interpretation of some of the more widely used standardised psychological test instruments.
- Explain how basic psychological intervention strategies can be applied across a range of contexts including consideration of cultural responsiveness.
- Cultural responsiveness in forensic contexts, including with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures
Generative Artificial Intelligence in Assessment
The University acknowledges that Generative Artificial Intelligence (Gen-AI) tools are an important facet of contemporary life. Their use in assessment is considered in line with students’ development of the skills and knowledge which demonstrate learning outcomes and underpin study and career success. Instructions on the use of Gen-AI are given for each assessment task; it is your responsibility to adhere to these instructions.
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Assessment details
Type Task % Timing* Outcomes assessed Take-home Examination Final Examination. The final exam will assess all material covered in this subject. The format of the examination will include multiple choice, and short answer (approximately one paragraph) questions. 50.00% Final Examination Period 1,2,4,5,6 Written Report Students are to identify a legal case where expert evidence has been provided by a mental health professional, and provide a written analysis of the evidence that was given. An oral presentation of the case is also part of the assignment. 50.00% Week 6 1,2,3,4,5,6 - * Assessment timing is indicative of the week that the assessment is due or begins (where conducted over multiple weeks), and is based on the standard University academic calendar
- C = Students must reach a level of competency to successfully complete this assessment.
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Assessment criteria
Assessment criteria
High Distinction 85-100 Outstanding or exemplary performance in the following areas: interpretative ability; intellectual initiative in response to questions; mastery of the skills required by the subject, general levels of knowledge and analytic ability or clear thinking. Distinction 75-84 Usually awarded to students whose performance goes well beyond the minimum requirements set for tasks required in assessment, and who perform well in most of the above areas. Credit 65-74 Usually awarded to students whose performance is considered to go beyond the minimum requirements for work set for assessment. Assessable work is typically characterised by a strong performance in some of the capacities listed above. Pass 50-64 Usually awarded to students whose performance meets the requirements set for work provided for assessment. Fail 0-49 Usually awarded to students whose performance is not considered to meet the minimum requirements set for particular tasks. The fail grade may be a result of insufficient preparation, of inattention to assignment guidelines or lack of academic ability. A frequent cause of failure is lack of attention to subject or assignment guidelines. Quality assurance
For the purposes of quality assurance, Bond University conducts an evaluation process to measure and document student assessment as evidence of the extent to which program and subject learning outcomes are achieved. Some examples of student work will be retained for potential research and quality auditing purposes only. Any student work used will be treated confidentially and no student grades will be affected.
| Type | Task | % | Timing* | Outcomes assessed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Take-home Examination | Final Examination. The final exam will assess all material covered in this subject. The format of the examination will include multiple choice, and short answer (approximately one paragraph) questions. | 50.00% | Final Examination Period | 1,2,4,5,6 |
| Written Report | Students are to identify a legal case where expert evidence has been provided by a mental health professional, and provide a written analysis of the evidence that was given. An oral presentation of the case is also part of the assignment. | 50.00% | Week 6 | 1,2,3,4,5,6 |
- * Assessment timing is indicative of the week that the assessment is due or begins (where conducted over multiple weeks), and is based on the standard University academic calendar
- C = Students must reach a level of competency to successfully complete this assessment.
Assessment criteria
| High Distinction | 85-100 | Outstanding or exemplary performance in the following areas: interpretative ability; intellectual initiative in response to questions; mastery of the skills required by the subject, general levels of knowledge and analytic ability or clear thinking. |
|---|---|---|
| Distinction | 75-84 | Usually awarded to students whose performance goes well beyond the minimum requirements set for tasks required in assessment, and who perform well in most of the above areas. |
| Credit | 65-74 | Usually awarded to students whose performance is considered to go beyond the minimum requirements for work set for assessment. Assessable work is typically characterised by a strong performance in some of the capacities listed above. |
| Pass | 50-64 | Usually awarded to students whose performance meets the requirements set for work provided for assessment. |
| Fail | 0-49 | Usually awarded to students whose performance is not considered to meet the minimum requirements set for particular tasks. The fail grade may be a result of insufficient preparation, of inattention to assignment guidelines or lack of academic ability. A frequent cause of failure is lack of attention to subject or assignment guidelines. |
Quality assurance
For the purposes of quality assurance, Bond University conducts an evaluation process to measure and document student assessment as evidence of the extent to which program and subject learning outcomes are achieved. Some examples of student work will be retained for potential research and quality auditing purposes only. Any student work used will be treated confidentially and no student grades will be affected.
Study Information
Submission procedures
Students must check the iLearn@Bond subject site for detailed assessment information and submission procedures.
Policy on late submission and extensions
A student who has not established a basis for an extension in compliance with University and Faculty policy either by 1) not applying before the assessment due date or 2) by having an application rejected due to failure to show a justifiable cause for an extension, will receive a penalty on assessment submitted after its due date. The penalty will be 10% of marks awarded to that assessment for every day late, with the first day counted after the required submission time has passed. No assessment will be accepted for consideration seven calendar days after the due date. Where a student has been granted an extension, the late penalty starts from the new due date and time set out in the extension.
Academic Integrity
Bond University‘s Student Code of Conduct Policy , Student Charter, Academic Integrity Policy and our Graduate Attributes guide expectations regarding student behaviour, their rights and responsibilities. Information on these topics can be found on our Academic Integrity webpage recognising that academic integrity involves demonstrating the principles of integrity (honesty, fairness, trust, professionalism, courage, responsibility, and respect) in words and actions across all aspects of academic endeavour.
Staff are required to report suspected misconduct. This includes all types of plagiarism, cheating, collusion, fabrication or falsification of data/content or other misconduct relating to assessment such as the falsification of medical certificates for assessment extensions. The longer term personal, social and financial consequences of misconduct can be severe, so please ask for help if you are unsure.
If your work is subject to an inquiry, you will be given an opportunity to respond and appropriate support will be provided. Academic work under inquiry will not be marked until the process has concluded. Penalties for misconduct include a warning, reduced grade, a requirement to repeat the assessment, suspension or expulsion from the University.
Feedback on assessment
Feedback on assessment will be provided to students according to the requirements of the Assessment Procedure Schedule A - Assessment Communication Procedure.
Whilst in most cases feedback should be provided within two weeks of the assessment submission due date, the Procedure should be checked if the assessment is linked to others or if the subject is a non-standard (e.g., intensive) subject.
Accessibility and Inclusion Support
Support is available to students where a physical, mental or neurological condition exists that would impact the student’s capacity to complete studies, exams or assessment tasks. For effective support, special requirement needs should be arranged with the University in advance of or at the start of each semester, or, for acute conditions, as soon as practicable after the condition arises. Reasonable adjustments are not guaranteed where applications are submitted late in the semester (for example, when lodged just prior to critical assessment and examination dates).
As outlined in the Accessibility and Inclusion Policy, to qualify for support, students must meet certain criteria. Students are also required to meet with the Accessibility and Inclusion Advisor who will ensure that reasonable adjustments are afforded to qualifying students.
For more information and to apply online, visit BondAbility.
Additional subject information
This subject contains content that some students may find distressing, disturbing or culturally challenging. Students with concerns about the content of any subject are encouraged to discuss this with their teacher and consider how best to prepare themselves to study challenging material in a way that is appropriate for them.
Subject curriculum
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Overview of Forensic Psychology
Introduction covering general theoretical concepts, scope of work that forensic psychologists do and overview of professional and ethical issues.
SLOs included
- Demonstrate understanding of major concepts and historical trends in forensic psychology.
- Demonstrate comprehension and application of a broad and coherent body of knowledge of Psychology, with depth of understanding of underlying principles, theories and concepts in the discipline, using a scientific approach.
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Assessment of offenders
Covering a range of general assessments used in forensic psychology, with a specific focus on assessment of psychopathy.
SLOs included
- Demonstrate understanding of major concepts and historical trends in forensic psychology.
- Demonstrate comprehension and application of a broad and coherent body of knowledge of Psychology, with depth of understanding of underlying principles, theories and concepts in the discipline, using a scientific approach.
- Demonstrate appropriate interpersonal communication and interview skills in situations appropriate to psychological practice and research. This includes active listening, clarifying and reflecting, effective questioning, summarising and paraphrasing, developing rapport, appropriate cultural responsiveness and empathic responding.
- Demonstrate basic assessment strategies in situations appropriate to psychological practice and knowledge of psychometric theory and principles of the construction, cultural considerations, implementation and interpretation of some of the more widely used standardised psychological test instruments.
- Cultural responsiveness in forensic contexts, including with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures
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Assessment of risk of violence
Assessing risk for violent re-offending. Overview of literature and approaches to risk assessment, including examples of risk assessment instruments.
SLOs included
- Demonstrate understanding of major concepts and historical trends in forensic psychology.
- Demonstrate comprehension and application of a broad and coherent body of knowledge of Psychology, with depth of understanding of underlying principles, theories and concepts in the discipline, using a scientific approach.
- Demonstrate basic assessment strategies in situations appropriate to psychological practice and knowledge of psychometric theory and principles of the construction, cultural considerations, implementation and interpretation of some of the more widely used standardised psychological test instruments.
- Cultural responsiveness in forensic contexts, including with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures
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Mental illness and offending
How people with mental illness are treated within the criminal justice system.
SLOs included
- Demonstrate understanding of major concepts and historical trends in forensic psychology.
- Demonstrate comprehension and application of a broad and coherent body of knowledge of Psychology, with depth of understanding of underlying principles, theories and concepts in the discipline, using a scientific approach.
- Explain how basic psychological intervention strategies can be applied across a range of contexts including consideration of cultural responsiveness.
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Expert evidence
Legal rules of evidence, criteria for giving expert evidence and areas of mental health evidence commonly provided to courts.
SLOs included
- Demonstrate understanding of major concepts and historical trends in forensic psychology.
- Demonstrate comprehension and application of a broad and coherent body of knowledge of Psychology, with depth of understanding of underlying principles, theories and concepts in the discipline, using a scientific approach.
- Demonstrate appropriate interpersonal communication and interview skills in situations appropriate to psychological practice and research. This includes active listening, clarifying and reflecting, effective questioning, summarising and paraphrasing, developing rapport, appropriate cultural responsiveness and empathic responding.
- Demonstrate basic assessment strategies in situations appropriate to psychological practice and knowledge of psychometric theory and principles of the construction, cultural considerations, implementation and interpretation of some of the more widely used standardised psychological test instruments.
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Treatment of offenders
Overview of different approaches to the treatment of a broad range of offence behaviours including juvenile offenders.
SLOs included
- Demonstrate understanding of major concepts and historical trends in forensic psychology.
- Demonstrate comprehension and application of a broad and coherent body of knowledge of Psychology, with depth of understanding of underlying principles, theories and concepts in the discipline, using a scientific approach.
- Demonstrate appropriate interpersonal communication and interview skills in situations appropriate to psychological practice and research. This includes active listening, clarifying and reflecting, effective questioning, summarising and paraphrasing, developing rapport, appropriate cultural responsiveness and empathic responding.
- Explain how basic psychological intervention strategies can be applied across a range of contexts including consideration of cultural responsiveness.
- Cultural responsiveness in forensic contexts, including with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures
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Violent offenders
Overview of theories of violence, assessment and treatment of offenders convicted of violent offences.
SLOs included
- Demonstrate understanding of major concepts and historical trends in forensic psychology.
- Demonstrate comprehension and application of a broad and coherent body of knowledge of Psychology, with depth of understanding of underlying principles, theories and concepts in the discipline, using a scientific approach.
- Explain how basic psychological intervention strategies can be applied across a range of contexts including consideration of cultural responsiveness.
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Sexual offending
Overview of theories of sexual offending, assessment and treatment of offenders convicted of sexual offences, including internet sexual offences.
SLOs included
- Demonstrate understanding of major concepts and historical trends in forensic psychology.
- Demonstrate comprehension and application of a broad and coherent body of knowledge of Psychology, with depth of understanding of underlying principles, theories and concepts in the discipline, using a scientific approach.
- Demonstrate basic assessment strategies in situations appropriate to psychological practice and knowledge of psychometric theory and principles of the construction, cultural considerations, implementation and interpretation of some of the more widely used standardised psychological test instruments.
- Explain how basic psychological intervention strategies can be applied across a range of contexts including consideration of cultural responsiveness.
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Research methods
An overview of findings from longitudinal, experimental, correlational and qualitative research in forensic psychology.
SLOs included
- Demonstrate understanding of major concepts and historical trends in forensic psychology.
- Demonstrate comprehension and application of a broad and coherent body of knowledge of Psychology, with depth of understanding of underlying principles, theories and concepts in the discipline, using a scientific approach.
- Demonstrate basic assessment strategies in situations appropriate to psychological practice and knowledge of psychometric theory and principles of the construction, cultural considerations, implementation and interpretation of some of the more widely used standardised psychological test instruments.
- Cultural responsiveness in forensic contexts, including with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures
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Interviewing
Cognitive approaches to enhancing the reliability of information gained from witnesses and victims, especially children.
SLOs included
- Demonstrate understanding of major concepts and historical trends in forensic psychology.
- Demonstrate comprehension and application of a broad and coherent body of knowledge of Psychology, with depth of understanding of underlying principles, theories and concepts in the discipline, using a scientific approach.
- Demonstrate appropriate interpersonal communication and interview skills in situations appropriate to psychological practice and research. This includes active listening, clarifying and reflecting, effective questioning, summarising and paraphrasing, developing rapport, appropriate cultural responsiveness and empathic responding.
- Cultural responsiveness in forensic contexts, including with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures
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Psychologists in Civil Courts
Overview of psychologists providing evidence in Civil Courts Assessments for psychological injury.
SLOs included
- Demonstrate understanding of major concepts and historical trends in forensic psychology.
- Demonstrate comprehension and application of a broad and coherent body of knowledge of Psychology, with depth of understanding of underlying principles, theories and concepts in the discipline, using a scientific approach.
- Demonstrate basic assessment strategies in situations appropriate to psychological practice and knowledge of psychometric theory and principles of the construction, cultural considerations, implementation and interpretation of some of the more widely used standardised psychological test instruments.
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Review and revision
Overview of subject and mini-quiz.
SLOs included
- Demonstrate understanding of major concepts and historical trends in forensic psychology.
- Demonstrate comprehension and application of a broad and coherent body of knowledge of Psychology, with depth of understanding of underlying principles, theories and concepts in the discipline, using a scientific approach.
- Demonstrate appropriate interpersonal communication and interview skills in situations appropriate to psychological practice and research. This includes active listening, clarifying and reflecting, effective questioning, summarising and paraphrasing, developing rapport, appropriate cultural responsiveness and empathic responding.
- Demonstrate basic assessment strategies in situations appropriate to psychological practice and knowledge of psychometric theory and principles of the construction, cultural considerations, implementation and interpretation of some of the more widely used standardised psychological test instruments.
- Explain how basic psychological intervention strategies can be applied across a range of contexts including consideration of cultural responsiveness.
- Cultural responsiveness in forensic contexts, including with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures