Faculty of Business and Law

School: Law and Justice

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    The Psychology of Criminal Behaviour
  • Unit Code

    CRI1104
  • Year

    2015
  • Enrolment Period

    1
  • Version

    2
  • Credit Points

    15
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
    Online

Description

Students consider the etiology, maintenance and expression of criminal behaviour. In particular, psychological and physiological factors relevant to an understanding of criminality are examined. Issues such as psychopathy, aberrant sexuality and aggression are explored in detail. Students also consider theoretical and practical approaches to the treatment of criminal behaviour.

Equivalent Rule

Unit was previously coded JUS2173

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Critically consider the research findings and clinical features of a range of offender categories.
  2. Demonstrate English proficiency and sound communication skills.
  3. Demonstrate a broad and coherent indepth knowledge of the theories and causes of particular offences.
  4. Demonstrate an understanding of the psychological approaches to criminality.
  5. Demonstrate theoretical and practical approaches to the treatment of criminal behaviour.
  6. Describe how learning and psycho-biological factors may influence criminal behaviour.

Unit Content

  1. Aggression and violence.
  2. Arson.
  3. Biological theories of criminal behaviour.
  4. Homicide and assault.
  5. Juvenile offending.
  6. Mentally disordered offenders.
  7. Psychological theories of criminal behaviour.
  8. Sexual offences.
  9. The psychopath.
  10. Treatment of criminal behaviour.

Additional Learning Experience Information

On-campus students attend a two hour lecture and a one hour tutorial each week. Lectures are used to introduce the central theories and concepts relevant to understand the psychology of offending. The lectures also direct students to relevant literature and discuss its application to understanding offending behaviour. Industry relevant guest speakers also deliver lecture content as part of this unit. On-campus tutorials provide students the opportunity to discuss critical aspects of the content in greater detail and in doing so, further develop their oral communication skills. Assessment methods provide students the opportunity to demonstrate their content knowledge, critical thinking and develop their written communication skills. Off-campus students are provided with an electronic version of the internal lecture and weekly tutorials. All information is delivered to off-campus students via Blackboard. The Lectures are used to introduce the central theories and concepts relevant to understand the psychology of offending. The lectures also direct students to relevant literature and discuss its application to understanding offending behaviour. Industry relevant guest speakers also deliver lecture content as part of this unit. Regular online activities delivered via the online modules and the discussion board provide students the opportunity to discuss critical aspects of the content in greater detail. Online tutorials using Adobe Connect Pro allow students to develop their oral communication skills. Assessment methods provide students the opportunity to demonstrate their content knowledge, critical thinking and develop their written communication skills. Regular online access is required.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
Case StudyCase study analysis30%
Case StudyCase study analysis30%
ExaminationFinal examination40%
ONLINE
TypeDescriptionValue
Case StudyCase study analysis30%
Case StudyCase study analysis30%
ExaminationFinal examination40%

Text References

  • ^ Bartol, C.R., & Bartol, A.M. (2005). Criminal behaviour: A psychosocial approach. New Jersey: Pearson.
  • Bartol, C.R., & Bartol, A.M. (2004a). Psychology and law: Theory, research and application. Belmont: Wadsworth.
  • Bartol, C.R., & Bartol, A.M. (2004b). Introduction to forensic psychology. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
  • Blackburn, R. (2002). The psychology of criminal conduct: Theory, research and practice. West Sussex: John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
  • Aber, J.L., Brown, J.L., & Jones, S.M. (2003). Developmental trajectories toward violence in middle childhood course, demographic differences, and response to school based intervention. Developmental Psychology, 39, 324-348.
  • Mykherjee, S., & Graynor, A. (1997). Characteristics of major crimes in Australia. Crime and Justice in Australia, pp 310-360.

Journal References

  • Australian and New Zealand Journal of Criminology
  • Psychiatry, Psychology and Law
  • American Journal of Forensic Law Psychology
  • Psychotherapy
  • Behavior Modification

^ Mandatory reference


Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

CRI1104|2|1

Faculty of Business and Law

School: Law and Justice

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    The Psychology of Criminal Behaviour
  • Unit Code

    CRI1104
  • Year

    2015
  • Enrolment Period

    2
  • Version

    2
  • Credit Points

    15
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
    Online

Description

Students consider the etiology, maintenance and expression of criminal behaviour. In particular, psychological and physiological factors relevant to an understanding of criminality are examined. Issues such as psychopathy, aberrant sexuality and aggression are explored in detail. Students also consider theoretical and practical approaches to the treatment of criminal behaviour.

Equivalent Rule

Unit was previously coded JUS2173

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Critically consider the research findings and clinical features of a range of offender categories.
  2. Demonstrate English proficiency and sound communication skills.
  3. Demonstrate a broad and coherent indepth knowledge of the theories and causes of particular offences.
  4. Demonstrate an understanding of the psychological approaches to criminality.
  5. Demonstrate theoretical and practical approaches to the treatment of criminal behaviour.
  6. Describe how learning and psycho-biological factors may influence criminal behaviour.

Unit Content

  1. Aggression and violence.
  2. Arson.
  3. Biological theories of criminal behaviour.
  4. Homicide and assault.
  5. Juvenile offending.
  6. Mentally disordered offenders.
  7. Psychological theories of criminal behaviour.
  8. Sexual offences.
  9. The psychopath.
  10. Treatment of criminal behaviour.

Additional Learning Experience Information

On-campus students attend a two hour lecture and a one hour tutorial each week. Lectures are used to introduce the central theories and concepts relevant to understand the psychology of offending. The lectures also direct students to relevant literature and discuss its application to understanding offending behaviour. Industry relevant guest speakers also deliver lecture content as part of this unit. On-campus tutorials provide students the opportunity to discuss critical aspects of the content in greater detail and in doing so, further develop their oral communication skills. Assessment methods provide students the opportunity to demonstrate their content knowledge, critical thinking and develop their written communication skills. Off-campus students are provided with an electronic version of the internal lecture and weekly tutorials. All information is delivered to off-campus students via Blackboard. The Lectures are used to introduce the central theories and concepts relevant to understand the psychology of offending. The lectures also direct students to relevant literature and discuss its application to understanding offending behaviour. Industry relevant guest speakers also deliver lecture content as part of this unit. Regular online activities delivered via the online modules and the discussion board provide students the opportunity to discuss critical aspects of the content in greater detail. Online tutorials using Adobe Connect Pro allow students to develop their oral communication skills. Assessment methods provide students the opportunity to demonstrate their content knowledge, critical thinking and develop their written communication skills. Regular online access is required.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
Case StudyCase study analysis30%
Case StudyCase study analysis30%
ExaminationFinal examination40%
ONLINE
TypeDescriptionValue
Case StudyCase study analysis30%
Case StudyCase study analysis30%
ExaminationFinal examination40%

Text References

  • ^ Bartol, C.R., & Bartol, A.M. (2005). Criminal behaviour: A psychosocial approach. New Jersey: Pearson.
  • Bartol, C.R., & Bartol, A.M. (2004a). Psychology and law: Theory, research and application. Belmont: Wadsworth.
  • Bartol, C.R., & Bartol, A.M. (2004b). Introduction to forensic psychology. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
  • Blackburn, R. (2002). The psychology of criminal conduct: Theory, research and practice. West Sussex: John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
  • Aber, J.L., Brown, J.L., & Jones, S.M. (2003). Developmental trajectories toward violence in middle childhood course, demographic differences, and response to school based intervention. Developmental Psychology, 39, 324-348.
  • Mykherjee, S., & Graynor, A. (1997). Characteristics of major crimes in Australia. Crime and Justice in Australia, pp 310-360.

Journal References

  • Australian and New Zealand Journal of Criminology
  • Psychiatry, Psychology and Law
  • American Journal of Forensic Law Psychology
  • Psychotherapy
  • Behavior Modification

^ Mandatory reference


Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

CRI1104|2|2