Number of Assignments
10
Duration (approx)
100 hours
Distance Learning Criminal Psychology Course
"Interested in learning about the psychology of crime? This is the course for you!"
Develop your understanding of criminal psychology and how psychology is used in law enforcement and crime prevention.
Course Structure and Content
There are ten lessons consisting of -
1. Introduction to Criminal Psychology
Definitions of Crime
Consensus View of what Crime is
Conflict View of Crime
Interactionist View of Crime
Scope of Criminal Psychology
What Criminal Psychologists do
Case Study
Profiling
Courts
Correctional System
2. Psychological approaches to understanding crime
Biological explanations of Crime
Phrenology
Eugenics
XYY Chromosome Model
Genetics
Twin Studies
Adoption Studies
Nature, Nurture
Environmental Explanations of Crime
Family Influence
Agency Explanations; Rational Choice Theory
3. Psychology and understanding serious crimes
Aggression
Different Types of Aggression
Terminology
Drive Theories
Freudian Theories
Social Learning Theories
Biological and Evolutionary Theories
Types of Aggression
Aggression an against Outsiders
Aggression in Species
Aggression in Humans
Environmental Influences on Human Aggression
Imitation or Modelling
Familiarity
Reinforcement
Aggression and Culture
Other Factors in Aggression; Alcohol, Pain, Frustration
Murder
Sexual Assault
Stalking
Pursuit Behaviour
False Stalking Syndrome
4. Mental disorder and crime 1 – Learning disabilities and crime
Meaning of Learning Disabilities
IQ Testing
Crime and Intelligence
Modern Intelligence Testing
Learning Disabilities and Crime in General
Sex Offences and People with Learning Disabilities
Courts
5. Mental Disorder and Crime 2 – Psychopathy
6. Gender and Crime
7. Youth and Crime
Age of Criminal Responsibility
Risk Factors
Mental Health Risk
Conduct Disorders
ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)
Cumulative Affect of Risk Factors
Prevalence and Offending
Case Studies
Young People as Victims
8. Psychology and the Police
9. Psychology in the Courtroom
10. Psychology and Crime Prevention
Punishment
Types of Punishment
History of Punishment
Reasons for Punishment
Deterrents
Punishment and Impartiality What qualification will I achieve for completing this course?
This is an individual module course. The individual module courses are 100 hour long usually and can be taken on their own or as part of a larger program of study.
If you wish to take an individual module course as a stand alone course, you can elect to sit an optional exam at the end of it.
If you successfully pass the exam and all assignments, you will receive a Statement of Attainment. You can take examinations at a time and location to suit you. If you enrol, you will be sent further information on how to arrange examinations at the end of the course.
If you do not wish to take the exam, you will receive a Course Completion letter when you have passed all assignments.
There is an assignment at the end of each lesson. So for example, if an individual module course contains ten lessons, you will need to complete ten assignments. Assignments can be sent to us via email, post or fax.
Other qualifications, such as certificates, diplomas etc may require examinations to be taken as part of the overall assessment process.
You can find further information on the examinations process by clicking on the “Enrolment” link above.
You can find further information on other courses by clicking on the “Courses” link above.
Lesson Aims
define crime and criminal psychology.
discuss psychological theories and approaches to understanding crime.
define serious crimes and explain the involvement of psychology.
discuss the relationship between a person having a learning disability and committing crime.
define psychopathy and discuss psychological theories relating to psychopathy.
discuss gender differences associated with crime.
discuss the psychological theories relating to youth and crime.
discuss how psychology is used by the police.
discuss how psychology is used in the court room.
discuss the use of psychology in crime prevention.
What is a criminal psychologist?
Criminal psychologists may be known by a variety of names –
Criminal psychologist
Forensic psychologist
Investigative psychologist
Profiler
Criminologist
In this course we will use the term criminal psychologist. A criminal psychologist deals with the psychologist aspects of the legal processes. This includes –
Understanding the psychological problems associated with criminal behaviour.
Treatment of criminals.
Applying theory to criminal investigations.
What do Criminal Psychologists do?
Criminal psychologists will cover a range of roles, such as –
Research evidence to support practice
Implementing treatment programmes
Modifying offender behaviour
Advising parole boards
Responding to changing needs of prisoners and staff
Stress management techniques for staff and prisoners
Statistical analysis used for prisoner profiling.
Crime analysis
Mental health tribunals.
In psychology, there are three theories that are the most widespread approaches to defining crime. There are other approaches, but as these are the most widely accepted, we will consider those here.
The Consensus View
This view stems from the sociological theories of J Shepherd (1981). This school of thought holds that society functions as an integrated structure, the stability of which is dependent on consensus or agreement by its members, so that the rules, values and norms are respected by all. Therefore, the legal system of the society is a reflection of what is considered tolerable and intolerable behaviour within that particular society i.e. intolerable behaviour is disapproved of by the majority.
Before a crime can be said to have occurred, it has to be committed. So without an action, there can be no crime.
The Conflict View
The Conflict View is the direct opposite of the Consensus View.
The Interactionist View
The Interactionist View falls between the Consensus and Conflict View. It began as a field of thought within sociology called symbolic interactionism.
Learn more about these theories and a lot more through this course!
Extract from the Course notes -
How do people become psychopaths?
Research has suggested that psychopaths with lower intelligence or a poor education are more likely to end up in prison than psychopaths with higher intelligence. Researchers involved with psychopaths will often note that they lack emotional insight, but when they have a history of criminal behaviour ,they do not seem to learn from that experience, just think up ways to avoid getting caught. So it appears that psychopaths with lower intelligence are less likely to be able to think of ways to avoid getting caught.
In childhood, some theorise that the child is not able to learn right from wrong. The parents become angry and frustrated and try to shield the child from the consequences of their behaviour, trying to educate the child about right and wrong. The child is always in trouble and does not appear to be able to learn. Some parents may feel that the child will eventually understand, but if they don’t the parents may resort to punishment. This is the worst thing that the parent can do, what the child really requires is training in choices, consequences and supervision.
There has also been suggestions that there is a genetic link to the psychopathic personality. Psychopaths appear to lack the ability to feel what others do, the physical sensation of guilt. They may feel anger, sadness or fear, but not guilt for what they have done. Some theorists believe that sexually promiscuous psychopaths who are able to live off other people are survivors and may represent one of the genes for survival in humans.
Other research has shown that adult psychopaths do not benefit from counseling and therapy and may in fact commit further crimes more quickly and again because of it.
Brain scan research has shown that the brains of psychopaths functions and processes information differently. One piece of research showed dead bodies from car accidents to psychopaths and found that they remained calm, whereas other people were clearly upset. They do not appear to use their brain in the same way that others do, suggesting they are physically different to “normal” people.
What qualification will I achieve for completing this course?
This is an individual module course. The individual module courses are 100 hour long usually and can be taken on their own or as part of a larger program of study.
If you wish to take an individual module course as a stand alone course, you can elect to sit an optional exam at the end of it.
If you successfully pass the exam and all assignments, you will receive a Statement of Attainment. You can take examinations at a time and location to suit you. If you enrol, you will be sent further information on how to arrange examinations at the end of the course.
If you do not wish to take the exam, you will receive a Course Completion letter when you have passed all assignments.
There is an assignment at the end of each lesson. So for example, if an individual module course contains ten lessons, you will need to complete ten assignments. Assignments can be sent to us via email, post or fax.
Other qualifications, such as certificates, diplomas etc may require examinations to be taken as part of the overall assessment process.
You can find further information on the examinations process by clicking on the “Enrolment” link above.
You can find further information on other courses by clicking on the “Courses” link above.
More Information on ACS Distance Education and our courses
Who are our tutors?
Our tutors are all highly experienced and professional, knowledgeable in their field of study. We have staff from around the world, enabling us to gain a wide variety of perspectives. We have a school in the UK and in Australia. If you would like to have a look at our tutors, then click on the “The School” in the boxes above and choose “The Staff” option.
Sample Course Notes
Our courses are all written by highly qualified tutors and writers, who also teach on the courses, so know them well. We strive to update our courses and improve them with new information, methods and knowledge on an ongoing basis. If you would like to see examples of some of our courses, then choose the “Enrolment” option above, and then click on “Sample Course Notes”.
What learning method should I choose?
We offer three learning methods – e-learning, correspondence and online. If you are not sure which is the right choose for you, then click on the “Enrolment” box above, then “Learning Methods.”
How Long will it take to complete the course?
This obviously varies from student to student. Some students will have more time for study than others. Some students may work quicker than others, so it is an individual thing. We estimate that most students will take, for example, 4 – 6 months to complete a 100 hour individual module, but we allow up to 12 months for you to complete it.
Longer courses will obviously take longer. You can find more information on the length of time required and so on the “Enrolment” box, then selecting “Terms and Conditions of Enrolment.”
What Do Our Students think of us?
If you would like to read comments from our previous students, then choose the “Enrolment” option above, then “Student Testimonials”.
I don’t think this is the right course for me.
If you’re not sure about this course, then why not look at our wide range of other courses. Click on the “Courses” box above.
You may also wish to design your own course to fit in with exactly what YOU want. To do so, click on the “Enrolment” box, then “Design your Own Course”.
If you would like more advice on a course, then you can contact us and ask a tutor about the courses. You can contact us by calling 0800 328 4723 or +44(0) 384 442752 or emailing info@acsedu.co.uk
Recognition and Accreditation
For more information on our recognition and accreditation, click on “The School”, then “Recognition”.
Who is ACS Distance Education?
If you want to know more about ACS and our history, then please click on “The School”, then “About us.”
Home Study - Criminal Psychology Course
"Interested in learning about the psychology of crime? This is the course for you!"
A must for anyone interested in this field.
Improve your job prospects and knowledge in this area, or just study for interest.
Study in your own time and at your own pace.
Learn more about antisocial behaviour, psychopathy, teenage offending and much more...
Learn from our highly experienced and qualified tutors.
Suitable for anyone who works within criminal justice, such as police, social workers, court workers, solicitors, lawyers, probation workers or anyone with an interest in the psychology of crime.
