School: Arts and Humanities

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

    2021
  • Enrolment Period

    1
  • Version

    3
  • Credit Points

    15
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
    Online
  • Unit Coordinator

    Dr James Patrick MCCUE

Description

Students consider the aetiology, 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. Explain how cognitive, learning and psycho-biological factors influence criminal behaviour.
  2. Interpret the clinical features of offender categories in relation to criminal behaviour.
  3. Justify choices of psychological theories based on research to develop a hypothesis.
  4. Use psychological theories to develop a hypothesis about the possible causes of 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.

Learning Experience

ON-CAMPUS

Students will attend on campus classes as well as engage in learning activities through ECUs LMS

JoondalupMount LawleySouth West (Bunbury)
Semester 213 x 2 hour lectureNot OfferedNot Offered
Semester 213 x 1 hour tutorialNot OfferedNot Offered

For more information see the Semester Timetable

ONLINE

Students will engage in learning experiences through ECUs LMS as well as additional ECU l

Additional Learning Experience Information

On-campus students attend a two hour lecture and a one hour tutorial each week (3 hours contact time). Additional time is required to read the prescribed text, further readings, research and prepare assessments. 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. Online students studying mirrors the on-campus. Students are provided with an electronic version of the internal lecture and weekly tutorial content. All information is delivered to online 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 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 School Progression Panel.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
TestPreliminary Test10%
ReportOffender Case Report 130%
ReportOffender Case Report 230%
TestFinal Test30%
ONLINE
TypeDescriptionValue
TestPreliminary Test10%
ReportOffender Case Report 130%
ReportOffender Case Report 230%
TestFinal Test30%

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|3|1

School: Arts and Humanities

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

    2021
  • Enrolment Period

    2
  • Version

    3
  • Credit Points

    15
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
    Online
  • Unit Coordinator

    Dr James Patrick MCCUE

Description

Students consider the aetiology, maintenance and expression of criminal behaviour. In particular, psychological theories and physiological factors relevant to an understanding of criminality are examined. Issues such as aggression, aberrant sexual behaviour, and psychopathy are explored. Students also consider 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. Explain how cognitive, learning and psycho-biological factors influence criminal behaviour.
  2. Interpret the clinical features of offender categories in relation to criminal behaviour.
  3. Justify choices of psychological theories based on research to develop a hypothesis.
  4. Use psychological theories to develop a hypothesis about the possible causes of criminal behaviour.

Unit Content

  1. Psychological theories of criminal behaviour.
  2. Biological theories of criminal behaviour.
  3. Mental disorders, drug use and offending
  4. Juvenile offending.
  5. Arson
  6. Aggression and violent offending
  7. Sexual offending
  8. Treating criminal behaviour

Learning Experience

ON-CAMPUS

Students will attend on campus classes as well as engage in learning activities through ECUs LMS

JoondalupMount LawleySouth West (Bunbury)
Semester 213 x 2 hour lectureNot OfferedNot Offered
Semester 213 x 1 hour tutorialNot OfferedNot Offered

For more information see the Semester Timetable

ONLINE

Students will engage in learning experiences through ECUs LMS as well as additional ECU l

Additional Learning Experience Information

Lectures introduce the central theories and concepts regarding the psychological causes of offending and related treatments for offending behaviour. Industry relevant guest speakers deliver some lecture content to demonstrate the application of theory in real-world contexts. Tutorials (on-campus or online) allow students to develop their oral communication skills through discussions and small-group exercises. The assessment methods provide students the opportunity to develop their critical thinking and written communication skills.

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 School Progression Panel.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
AssignmentOffender Case Exercise15%
ReportOffender Case Report50%
TestOnline Test35%
ONLINE
TypeDescriptionValue
AssignmentOffender Case Exercise15%
ReportOffender Case Report50%
TestOnline Test35%

Core Reading(s)

  • Bartol, C. R., & Bartol, A. M. (2017). Criminal Behavior: A Psychological Approach (11th ed.). Pearson Education Limited,. Retrieved from https://ecu.on.worldcat.org/oclc/961337674

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|3|2