PS351-15 Psychology and the Law
Introductory description
This module aims to provide a broad understanding of the role of cognitive psychology in legal contexts.
Module aims
Topics usually covered include: the legal system; eyewitness testimony; the suggestibility of children; theoretical issues in memory distortion; identifying people; interrogations and confessions; cognitive theories of sex offending; repressed and recovered memories; deception detection
Outline syllabus
This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.
Eyewitness testimony
Eyewitness identification
Source monitoring Framework
Interogations & confessions
Deception
Children in court
Case evidence
Repressions
Juries
Revision sessions
Learning outcomes
By the end of the module, students should be able to:
- Discuss the ways in which psychology has been applied to the legal context;
- Demonstrate knowledge of the current state of psychology and law research;
- Compare and critically discuss the methodologies used in psychology and law;
- Discuss the topics covered in relation to theories and debates in the applied cognitive literature.
Indicative reading list
Reading lists can be found in Talis
Specific reading list for the module
Subject specific skills
Understand how psychology can been applied to the legal context
knowledge of the current state of psychology and law research
Understanding of current theories and debates in applied cognitive literature.
Transferable skills
Effective communication skills to develop a cogent argument supported by relevant evidence and being sensitive to the needs and expectations of an audience
Familiarity with collecting and organising stored information found in library book and journal collections, and online,
Critical evaluation of primary and secondary sources
effective personal planning skills
Study time
| Type | Required | Optional |
|---|---|---|
| Lectures | 12 sessions of 2 hours (16%) | |
| Seminars | 10 sessions of 1 hour (7%) | 8 sessions of 1 hour |
| Private study | 116 hours (77%) | |
| Total | 150 hours |
Private study description
116 hours of private study and assessment preparation
Costs
No further costs have been identified for this module.
You do not need to pass all assessment components to pass the module.
Students can register for this module without taking any assessment.
Assessment group D3
| Weighting | Study time | Eligible for self-certification | |
|---|---|---|---|
Assessment component |
|||
| Assessed Work | 33% | No | |
|
Online multiple choice assessment |
|||
Reassessment component is the same |
|||
Assessment component |
|||
| Online Examination | 67% | No | |
|
~Platforms - AEP
|
|||
Reassessment component is the same |
|||
Feedback on assessment
Formative and summative feedback is available in relation to the multiple-choice assessment. Further verbal feedback is available to students on request. Feedback on examination performance is provided in line with Department of Psychology procedure.
Courses
This module is Optional for:
- Year 3 of UPSA-C800 Undergraduate Psychology
- Year 4 of UPSA-C801 Undergraduate Psychology (with Intercalated year)
- Year 4 of UPSA-C806 Undergraduate Psychology with Education Studies (with Intercalated Year)
This module is Option list A for:
- Year 3 of UPSA-C804 Undergraduate Psychology with Education Studies
This module is Option list B for:
- Year 3 of UPHA-VL78 BA in Philosophy with Psychology
- Year 1 of TPSS-C8P9 Postgraduate Taught Psychological Research
This module is Option list C for:
- Year 3 of UPSA-C802 Undergraduate Psychology with Linguistics
- Year 4 of UPSA-C805 Undergraduate Psychology with Linguistics (with Intercalated Year)
This module is Unusual option for:
- Year 4 of UPSA-C805 Undergraduate Psychology with Linguistics (with Intercalated Year)