FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY

Course Description

The course introduces the psychological view of the justice system and shows the application of psychological principles, approaches, methods and techniques to such areas as malingering, assessment of mental state for an insanity plea, competency to stand trial, prediction of violence, and evaluation of child custody in divorce, assessment of risk, personal injury and interpretation of polygraph data. In addition eyewitness testimony and the research associated with false memories and memory implantations will also be discussed. Although almost all of the literature is based on the traditional North American legal system, comparative legal systems from different countries and how they interact with psychological perspectives will also be examined as every country’s justice system functions differently.

FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY

Evaluation Tools (Active Term)

No evaluation items have been defined.

Course outcomes

No course outcomes have been defined yet.

Course Syllabus

Reference Books & Course Materials

1. 01 Howitt, D. (2017). Introduction to Forensic and Criminal Psychology. 6th Edition. New York: Pearson.
2. 02 Lecture notes

Learning Outcomes

1. To explain the working areas of forensic psychologists and the ethical rules they must obey. SOLO 4
2. Expressing the concept of crime and its occurrence. SOLO 3
3. To define ethics and standards in forensic interview. SOLO 2
4. To draw the modern understanding of law and forensic psychology in the prevention of crime SOLO 2
5. Expressing abnormal/deviant behaviors relation with criminality in children SOLO 5
6. L01 To evaluate what forensic psychology means. SOLO 5
7. L01 To be able to evaluate(5) forensic cases according to their subjects and types SOLO 5
8. L05 Ability to evaluate criminal liability SOLO 5
9. L07 To formulate(3) the subject of investigation of forensic cases SOLO 3
10. L09 Studying and formulating(3) the relationship between violence and psychopathology SOLO 3
11. L10 Detecting and evaluating(5) deviant behaviors SOLO 5

Program Outcomes

1. P01 Demonstrate an understanding of the core subfields of psychology — including but not limited to clinical, developmental, cognitive, social, and biological/neuroscientific psychology — and their interconnections with other scientific disciplines, critically evaluating the value of a multidisciplinary approach to scientific inquiry in psychology.
2. P02 Apply scientific methods, research techniques, measurement and psychometric principles (e.g., reliability, validity, scale development/adaptation), and quantitative/statistical reasoning to investigate psychological phenomena, recognizing methodological strengths, limitations, common reasoning fallacies, and the flaws of pseudoscience.
3. P03 Employ logical, intuitive, and creative thinking to analyze psychological concepts, evaluate theories (including their historical and philosophical development), synthesize information, and solve complex problems related to cognition and behavior.
4. P04 Integrate psychological theories and findings into practical settings (e.g., business, policy, clinical/counseling contexts, and daily life), applying foundational applied skills such as interviewing, observation, and case formulation, drawing meaningful conclusions to inform individual, organizational, and societal practices.
5. P05 Describe key ethical principles in psychological research and practice, critically applying these principles to dilemmas across academic, professional, and everyday contexts.
6. P06 Recognize how individual differences (e.g., beliefs, values, backgrounds) impact behavior and relationships; use psychological knowledge to prevent or resolve intercultural and interpersonal conflicts and promote inclusive, respectful interactions.
7. P07 Exhibit self-regulation and self-awareness, demonstrating a commitment to psychological well-being, effective time management, constructive incorporation of feedback, and ongoing personal and professional development.
8. P08 Collaborate effectively in diverse teams, demonstrating responsibility, bias awareness, conflict resolution skills, and leadership in achieving collective goals.
9. P09 Communicate psychological knowledge clearly and appropriately for academic, professional, and public audiences using inclusive language, both in written and oral formats, and by accurately summarizing and presenting research findings.
10. P10 Use information and communication technologies (including AI and digital media) responsibly and effectively for research, collaboration, and the dissemination of psychological knowledge.
11. P11 Embrace lifelong learning and adaptability in response to evolving psychological knowledge and societal needs, engaging with global perspectives and demonstrating intercultural awareness.

Po-Lo Matrix