Seminar Leaders: Ms Manuela Thomae, Research Student, OC2.01, Olive Cottages, Keynes College, (MT)

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DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY

SP538 PSYCHOLOGY OF CRIMINAL BEHAVIOUR 2008-09

Module Convenor

Dr Tendayi Viki, (GTV) Lecturer in Forensic Psychology. Room E1.11, Keynes College,

internal extension: 4110, direct external line: (01227) 824110, email:

G.T.Viki@kent.ac.uk

Module Tutors

Course teachers:

Dr Afroditi Pina, (AP) Lecturer in Forensic Psychology. Room E1.15, Keynes College,

internal extension: 3781, direct external line: (01227) 823781, e-mail:

A.Pina@kent.ac.uk

Dr Theresa Gannon (TAG) Senior in Forensic Psychology. Room E1.18, Keynes

College, internal extension: 4827, direct external line: (01227) 824827, e-mail:

T.A.Gannon@kent.ac.uk

Seminar Leaders:

Ms Manuela Thomae, Research Student, OC2.01, Olive Cottages, Keynes College,

email mt96@kent.ac.uk (MT)

Ms Agnes Lech, Research Student, Ag. 05, Olive Cottages, Keynes College, email

aml26@kent.ac.uk (AL)

TA:

Emily Blake, email eab28@kent.ac.uk (EB)

Time and Location

Lectures: Spring Term: Mondays, 10 - 11, RLT1.

Seminars: Seminars will be held weekly as follows:

Group 1: 09.00-10.00 Thursdays, KS8 – Manuela Thomae

Group 2: 10.00-11.00 Thursdays, KS8 – Manuela Thomae

Group 3: 12.00-13.00 Thursdays, KS9 – Emily Blake

Group 4: 13.00-14.00 Thursdays, KS9 – Emily Blake

Group 5: 11.00-12.00 Fridays, KS9 - Agnes Lech

Group 6: 12.00-13.00 Fridays, KS9 - Agnes Lech

Group 7: 11.00-12.00, Thursdays, KS9 – Manuela Thomae

Group 8: 13.00-14.00, Fridays, KS8 – Emily Blake

Summary Intended Learning Outcomes

•

Possess an understanding of criminological theory regarding the origins of

offending

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•

Obtain a basic knowledge of techniques for the study of offender behaviour

and its contribution to police work.

•

Develop an understanding of the role of the victim in criminal behaviour

Have a basic knowledge of the function of restorative justice for victims and

offenders

•

Possess a basic understanding of rational decision making in offences

conducted by people who make non-normal decisions, e.g. psychopaths,

sex offenders

•

Understand more fully the reality of the functions of different parts of the

Criminal Justice System

Introduction

This course examines the topic of criminality from a broad psychological

perspective. It begins by examining the relationship between law, criminal

behaviour and morality and moves on to consider how criminal behaviour might

originate. The role of victims in creating, defining and reporting crime is analyzed,

and the psychological consequences of crime for victims and potential victims are

explored. Gender issues in relation to criminal behaviour and victimization are

considered. The role of opportunism in criminal decision-making is examined in

relation to environmental factors and the justifications and excuses related to

offending are explored. The origins of the criminal tendency in childhood are

detailed and the concept of psychopathy and its role in crime is highlighted and

examined. Finally, the study of offence behaviour and the contribution of

investigative psychology to police work are discussed.

When discussing each topic area our aim will be to evaluate each topic in sufficient

depth for you to be able to: (a) understand all the relevant the conceptual issues

through a knowledge of the historical debates and current issues within of each

topic, (b) evaluate critically the theories and research we will present, and (c)

become more proficient in developing and responding to theoretical arguments

through the discussions you will undertake in seminars. Teaching will be by weekly

lectures and by seminars; attendance at lectures and seminars is compulsory.

Assessment

Your attention is drawn to the following information to be found on the

departmental website:

•

Regulations relating to coursework deadlines

www.kent.ac.uk/psychology/studying/learning-resources/assessment.htm# deadlines

•

Guidelines on plagiarism and duplication of material

www.kent.ac.uk/psychology/studying/learning-resources/plagiarism.html

•

Guideline Criteria for Assessment of Stage 2 and 3 Undergraduate Work

http://www.kent.ac.uk/psychology/studying/learning-resources/criteria2.html

Teaching is by weekly lectures and seminars. The Faculty of Social Sciences

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To complete this course you must submit one piece of coursework consisting of an

essay of 3000 words (contributing 50% of your final mark), and sit a written multiple

choice examination (contributing 50% of your final mark).

*

In the case of short-term exchange students unable to sit the exam, these piece(s) of

assessment may be replaced by a single piece of coursework of increased length.”

Module Evaluation

You will be asked to provide feedback on this module by completing a module

evaluation questionnaire. The questionnaires will be considered at a special meeting

of the departmental Learning and Teaching Committee and the minutes of the

meeting will be published on the departmental website at

www.kent.ac.uk/psychology-local/minutes/ltc/index.htm.

Main Texts

Main Readings and References

Adler, J. (Eds) (2004). Forensic Psychology: Concepts, Debates and Practice. Willan

Publishing: Devon (JA)

Blackburn, R. (1993). The Psychology of Criminal Conduct: Theory, Research and

Practice. Chichester: Wiley. Now in paperback (1995). (RB).

Davies, G; Hollin, C & Bull, R (Eds) (2008). Forensic Psychology. John Wiley & Sons:

Chichester.

Stephenson, G. M. (1992). The Psychology of Criminal Justice. Oxford: Blackwell.

(GMS).

Also recommended for reference:

Bull, R. & Carson, D. (Eds). (1995). Handbook of Psychology in Legal Contexts.

Chichester:

Wiley.

Canter D., and Alison, L., (Eds) (1997) Criminal Detection and the Psychology of

Crime.

Dartmouth. Aldershot.

Canter, D., and Alison, L., (Eds.) (1998) The Social Psychology of Crime: Groups,

Teams,

Networks. Ashgate. Aldershot.

Canter D., and Alison, L., (Eds) (1999) Interviewing and Deception. Ashgate,

Aldershot.

Canter D., and Alison, L., (Eds) (1999) Profiling in Policy and Practice. Ashgate,

Aldershot.

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Cornish, D. B. & Clark, R. V. (1988). The Reasoning Criminal: Rational Choice

Perspectives

on Offending. New York: Springer-Verlag.

Heidensohn, F. (1996). Women and Crime. (2nd Edition) London: Macmillan.

Howitt, D. (2002). Forensic and Criminal Psychology, Harlow, Prentice Hall

Kapardis, A. (1997). Psychology and Law: A critical introduction. Cambridge:

Cambridge

University Press.

Lösel, F.; Bender, D. & Bliesner, T. (Eds.) (1992). Psychology and Law: International

Perspectives. Berlin: W. de Gruyter.

McGurk, B. J., Thornton, D. & Williams (1987). Applying Psychology to Imprisonment

Theory

and Practice. London: HMSO.

Memon, A., Vrij, A., and Bull, R. (1998) Psychology and Law: Truthfulness, Accuracy

and

Credibility. Maidenhead: Magraw-Hill

For a legal perspective:

Ashworth, A. (1991). Principles of Criminal Law. London: Clarendon Press.

McConville, M., & Wilson, G., (2002) The Handbook of the Criminal Justice Process.

Oxford:

Oxford University Press.

Lacey, N., Wells, C. & Meure, D. (1990). Reconstructing Criminal Law: Texts and

Materials.

London: Weidenfeld & Nicholson.

Teaching Programme

You should note that attendance at lectures, seminars and supervisions, and the

submission of written work, are obligatory. For further information see the Faculty of

Social Sciences Stage 2 and 3 Handbook.

Week 13

Lecture 1: Morality, Social Control and Law (GTV)

Required Reading: GMS Ch. 2.

Is law based on morality? Are there Universal norms of behaviour? The

concept of legal socialisation. Can governments be immoral or criminal?

Seminar 1: Psychology and Law: Different Perspectives and Common

Themes.

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Week 14

Lecture 2: Criminality and its Origins (GTV)

Required Reading: RB, Ch. 2, 4, 5, 6 & 7.

Are people consistently more or less criminal? How valid is the concept

of a "criminal career"? Is criminality versatile? What kind of people

commit criminal acts ? Age and gender in relation to crime.

Seminar 2: Morality and explanations for the origins of criminal behaviour-

Psychological vs other perspectives.

Week 15

Lecture 3: Topic 3: Victim/Offender Mediation and Criminality (GTV)

Required Reading: GMS Ch. 5;

Role of victims in crime. Creating, defining and reporting crime. Different

categories of victims. Role of victims in the criminal justice system. The

fear of crime.

Seminar 3: Creating, defining and reporting crime. Victim/offender

mediation

Week 16

Lecture 4: Gender issues in research into offenders and victims (GTV)

This lecture considers the role that gender plays in research by looking at

its relevance for both offenders and victims. Gender bias in research on

the origins of criminal behaviour. The social significance of criminal

behaviour in adolescence.

Seminar 4: Gender and crime: Issues and concerns.

Week 17

NO LECTURE OR SEMINARS: READING WEEK

Week 18

Lecture 5: Rape and Sexual Violence (GTV)

This lecture considers rape, sexual violence and the criminal justice

system’s responses to rapists and victims. Evaluations of rape and rape

victims, by lay people and the members of criminal justice system: Social

psychological factors.

Seminar 5: Perception and evaluations of sexual violence

Week 19

Lecture 6: Justifications and Excuses for Criminal Behaviour (GTV)

Required Reading: GMS Chs. 1 & 4; Hollin Ch. 3 & 7.

Is criminal behaviour rational? The circumstance of crime. Crime and

opportunity. The consequences of committing crime. Justifications and

excuses. Attributions of responsibility. From the rationalising to the

reasoning criminal: a reasonable step to take? Rationalising greed and

violence: what has attribution theory to offer the discussion of "criminal

tendencies"?

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Seminar 6: Causes of Criminal Behaviour

Week 20

Lecture 7: Causes and treatment of delinquency (GTV)

This lecture examines the causes and treatment of delinquency. What

type of crimes do young people commit? How do they understand what

they are doing? Do early interventions work? Should they just be locked

up?

Seminar 7: Criminogenic or Not? Can we identify what distinguishes

young offenders from young people?

Week 21

Lecture 8: Psychopathy and Offending (TAG)

How valid is the concept of "psychopathic personality"? What is the

relationship between psychopathy and criminality? Can psychopaths

change? Are psychopathy and personality disorder merely "in the eye of

the beholder"? Are psychopaths born or made?

Seminar 8: Mad, Bad, or just plain evil?

Week 22

Lecture 9: Theories of General Violence (AP)

This lecture introduces basic concepts lined to theories of general

violence. Do we need a specific theory to explain aggressive and violent

behaviour? How do general theories of offending link to these? Are

there different explanations for ‘expressive’ and instrumental offences?

Do we look at violent men and women differently and do they commit

different types of violent offence?

Seminar 9: Fatal assault or murder – are there differences?

Week 23

Lecture 10: Theories of Domestic Violence (AP)

This lecture builds on our understanding of violence from the previous

lecture and asks whether those who commit domestic assaults are similar

to those who commit assault generally. We explore structural and

individual explanations for this type of offending and how the context of

the violence affects our responses to this type of violence.

Seminar 10: Patriarchy or Pathology? Which is more useful for

psychologists addressing Domestic Violence?

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Seminar Discussion Topics and Core Background Readings

You should prepare for each seminar by reading at least two of the papers/chapters

listed for that week.

Seminar 1: Psychology and Law - Different Perspectives and Common Themes.

What functions do psychologists perform in relation to legal issues? In what

circumstances might evidence from psychologists be treated as more valid or

reliable than that from other professions? Where does morality sit in a criminal and a

legal context?

Bandura, A,. (2002) Selective Moral Disengagement in the Exercise of Moral Agency

Journal of

Moral Education 31 (2) 101-119

Bull, R., & Carson, D., (1995) Psychology in Legal Contexts: Idealism and Realism. In

Bull, R., &

Carson, D. Handbook of Psychology in Legal Contexts, Sussex, Wiley.

Colman, A. M. & Mackay, R. D. (1993). "Legal issues surrounding the admissibility of

expert

psychological and psychiatric testimony." In N. K. Clark & G. M. Stephenson (Eds.),

Children,

Evidence and Procedure (Issues in Criminological and Legal Psychology, Vol. 20).

Leicester:

The British Psychological Society.

Emler, N., (1996) How Can We Decide Whether Moral Education Works? Journal of

Moral

Education, 25 (1), p117

Seminar 2: Explanations for the Origins of Criminal Behaviour.

The development of criminal behaviour: vulnerabilities and protectors. Can some

criminal acts ever be justifiable?

Loeber, R., & Farrington, D., (2000), Young children who commit crime:

Epidemiology,

developmental origins, risk factors, early interventions, and policy implications.

Development

and Psychopathology, 12, 737-762

Thompson, L.D.G. (1999), Substance abuse and criminality. Current Opinion in

Psychiatry, 12

(6), 653-657

Wilson, H. (1987). Parental supervision re-examined. British Journal of Criminology,

27, 275

301.

Seminar 3: Victims of Crime

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system serve the needs of all victims? Can restorative justice work? Should we fear

crime?

Dignan, J., & Marsh, P., (2003) Restorative Justice and Family Group Conferences in

England:

Current State and Future Prospects. In McLaughlin, E., Fergusson, R., Hughes G., &

Westmarland, L., Restorative Justice critical issues, London, Sage.

Hale, C. (1996) Fear of Crime: A review of the Literature. International Review of

Victimology

4, 79-150.

Stevens, D., (1994) Predatory Rapists and victim selection techniques. The Social

Science

Journal, 31 (4), 421-433

Seminar 4: Gender and crime: Issues and concerns.

This seminar considers the role that gender plays in research by looking at its

relevance for both offenders and victims. Gender bias in research on the origins of

criminal behaviour. The social significance of criminal behaviour in adolescence.

Wilczynski, A. (1997). Mad or Bad? Child killers, gender and the courts. British

Journal of Criminology, 37 (3), 419-436.

Dowds, L. & Hedderman, C. (1997). The sentencing of men and women. Home

Office Research Study 170. w.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs/hors170.pdf

Week 17: NO LECTURE OR SEMINAR: READING WEEK

Seminar 5: Perception and evaluations of sexual violence

This seminar considers rape, sexual violence and the criminal justice systems

responses to rapists and victims. Evaluations of rape and rape victims, by lay people

and the members of criminal justice system: Social psychological factors.

Abrams, D., Viki, G. T., Masser, B., & Bohner, G., (2003). Perceptions of stranger

and acquaintance rape: The role of benevolent and hostile sexism in victim blame

and rape proclivity. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 84, 111-125.

Bohner, G. & Schwarz, N. (1996). The threat of rape: Its psychological impact on non

victimized women. In D.M. Buss & N. Malamuth (Eds.), Sex, power, conflict:

Evolutionary and

feminist perspectives. (pp.162-175). New York: Oxford University Press.

Seminar 6: Causes of Criminal Behaviour

Is criminal behaviour rational? The circumstance of crime. Crime and opportunity.

The consequences of committing crime. Justifications and excuses. Attributions of

responsibility. From the rationalising to the reasoning criminal: a reasonable step to

take? Rationalising greed and violence: what has attribution theory to offer the

discussion of "criminal tendencies"?

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Bohner, G., Reinhard, M. Rutz, S. Sturm, S. Kerschbaum, B., & Effler, D. (1998).

Rape myths as neutralizing cognitions: Evidence for a causal impact of anti-victim

attitudes on men’s self-reported likelihood of raping. European Journal of Social

Psychology, 28, 257-268.

Clark, R. V. & Cornish, D. B. (1985). Modelling offenders’ decision: A framework for

research

and policy. In M. Tonry & N. Morris (Eds.), Crime and Justice: An Annual Review.

Chicago:

University of Chicago Press.

Seminar 7: Criminogenic or Not? Can we identify what distinguishes young offenders

from

young people?

This seminar looks at what the research tells us in linked to offending behaviour, what

clinicians identify as deficits in offenders and discusses what this might mean for

intervention. We particularly look at the notion of social problem solving in

assessment and discuss some limitations and potential for further research.

Farrington, D (1995) Development of Offending…Journal of Child & Adolescent

Psychiatry , 36,

pp926-964

Andrews, D.A. and Bonta, James (2003) The Psychology of Criminal Conduct.(3rd

edition) Cincinnati: Anderson,

Seminar 8: Mad, Bad or just plain Evil?

The media and the public alike tend to think of psychopaths as the personification

of evil, but how do most of us see them. This seminar explores our understanding of

mad, bad and evil human behaviour.

Blackburn, R. (1995). “Psychopaths: Are They Bad or Mad?” In N. K. Clark & G. M.

Stephenson (Eds). Criminal Behaviour: Perceptions, Attributions and Rationality

(Issues in

Criminological and Legal Psychology, Vol. 22). Leicester: The British Psychological

Society.

Simon, R.I. (1996). Bad men do what good men dream: A forensic psychiatrist

illuminates

the darker side of human behavior. In R.I. Simon (Ed.), Serial Sexual Killers: your life for

their orgasm (pp. 279-312). Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Press.

Seminar 9: Fatal Assault or Murder – are there differences?

In the previous seminar we examined our understanding of psychopathic behaviour.

This seminar looks at homicide offenders and explores differences and similarities

between those who assault and those commit murder. We explore whether we

need specific theories and approaches to explain this behaviour and discuss the

implications.

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Novaco, R.W. (1997).”Remediating anger and aggression with violent offenders”

Legal and

Criminology Psychology, Vol. 2, pp77-88

Daly, M. & Wilson, M. (1988) Homicide. New York: Aldine de Gruyter

Dobash et al (2003) Homicide in Britain, Violence Research Programme, ESRC online.

Seminar 10: Patriarchy or pathology? Which is more useful for psychologists

addressing domestic violence?

This seminar will explore some of the competing approaches to domestic violence,

identifying the tensions between them, and look at the implications for prevention

and intervention. Notions of heterogeneity are introduced and recent research

findings discussed.

Tweed, R.G. and Dutton, D.G. (1998). A comparison of impulsive and instrumental

subgroups

of batterers. Violence and Victims, 13(3), 217-230.

Dobash et al (2000) Changing Violent Men Chichester: Sage

Holzworth-Munroe, A & Stuart, G. L (1994) Typologies of Male batterers: Three

Subtypes and

the Differences Among Them. Psychological Bulletin. 116 (3), 476 - 497

Geffner, R and Rosenbaum, A (eds.) (2001) Domestic Violence Offenders: Current

Interventions, Research, and implications for Policies and Standards, New York:

Haworth Press.

Gilchrist, E., Johnson, R., Takriti, R., Weston, S., Beech, A and Kebbell, M (October

2003)

“Domestic Violence offenders: characteristics and offending related needs” Home

Office

Research Findings, London: Home Office.

Essay titles:

1. Critically analyse the concept that criminal behaviour is immoral

2. With reference to research evidence, evaluate whether restorative justice works

3. Female offenders are treated with chivalry in the criminal justice system. Discuss

with reference to empirical research.

4. Rape is motivated by uncontrollable sexual urges. Discuss with reference to

research on the feminist theory.

5. Aggressive behaviour is normal for men. Discuss in relation to both male and

female violent offenders

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6. Patriarchy or pathology: Which is more useful when addressing domestic

violence?

7. How might moral disengagement relate to other factors in the causes of

delinquent thinking?

Deadline for the essay is 12noon (Monday 6 April 2009)

In the case of short-term exchange students unable to sit the exam, these piece(s)

of assessment may be replaced by a single piece of coursework of increased

length. The deadline for submission of this piece of work is also 12 noon, Monday 6th

April 2009