PSY313 Psychology and the Legal System (8)

This subject focuses on the role of psychologists in relation to the practice of the law; decision making and behaviour of police, courtroom participants, and correctional personnel. It also covers police interrogation, police discretion, eye witness testimony, jury decision making, sentencing, and the negative psychological effects of imprisonment.
Students should note that this subject does not contribute to an Australian Psychological Society accredited major in psychology.

Availability

Session 2 (60)
Online
Bathurst Campus

Continuing students should consult the SAL for current offering details: PSY313. Where differences exist between the Handbook and the SAL, the SAL should be taken as containing the correct subject offering details.

Subject Information

Grading System

HD/FL

Duration

One session

School

School of Psychology

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Assumed Knowledge
PSY211

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:
  • understand the decision making processes of police, juries, judges and parole officers from a psychological perspective
  • understand the psychological limitations of eye witness testimony and the demand for profiling
  • understand the legal concepts of competency, insanity, and risk assessment
  • describe the psychological impact of imprisonment upon inmates
  • apply a psychological understanding of the behaviour of criminal justice personnel to addressing the problems of bias, disparity and prisoner institutionalisation in the criminal justice system

Syllabus

This subject will cover the following topics:

* Police discretion * Eye witness testimony * Jury deliberation * Sentencing * Understanding competency, insanity and risk assessment * The psychological effects of imprisonment

Indicative Assessment

The following table summarises the assessment tasks for the online offering of PSY313 in Session 2 2020. Please note this is a guide only. Assessment tasks are regularly updated and can also differ to suit the mode of study (online or on campus).

Item Number
Title
Value %
1
Reflection task
0
2
Mid session test
30
2
Essay
30
4
Revision task
0
5
Final exam
40

The information contained in the CSU Handbook was accurate at the date of publication: May 2021. The University reserves the right to vary the information at any time without notice.

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