Module: Crime & Psychology

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Crime & Psychology
Module Code	PSY1066 (ITS: PSYC511)
Faculty	Psychology	School	Science & Health
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	5

Description

This module aims to provide students with core knowledge and understanding of approaches to explaining criminal behaviour and its impact upon individuals and society. Moreover, it will give an account of psychological factors that help explain crime at the level of offender, in terms of specific offences and in relation to the broader socio-cultural context. It looks at how crime commission, crime detection and crime reduction are influenced by psychological factors and the broader context in which criminal behaviour emerges.

Learning Outcomes

1. Critically evaluate psychological and sociocultural factors in the explanation of crime.
2. Formulate and evaluate explanations of criminality in different groups of offenders.
3. Consider, how a psychological framework can be used to understand and reduce crime.
4. Outline the impact of criminal behaviour on victims of crime.
5. Evaluate particular research methodologies employed in criminal psychology inter alia longitudinal and consanguinity methodologies.
6. Produce a substantive piece of relevant academic writing that clearly demonstrates knowledge, understanding and critical reasoning in relation to the chosen topic.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	24	No Description
Tutorial	4	Student-led Tutorials
Independent Study	30	Position Paper Focused
Independent Study	59	Exam preparation
Directed learning	8	exam preparation and position paper preparedness
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	20981	Part of Term	Semester 2
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Elizabeth Mc Loughlin	Module Teacher	Pamela Gallagher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Assignment	Position Paper: Students will prepare a position paper on criminality in different groups of offenders	50%	n/a
Formal Examination	Students will be required to sit a formal. end of semester, two hour exam that will allow them the opportunty to demonstate their academic and transversal skills in respect of crime and psychology.	50%	End-of-Semester

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

The Causes of Crime
Psychological and sociocultural approaches to understanding crime; Theories of offending; Effects of interpersonal crime on victims

Investigating crime
Eyewitness evidence; Interviewing vulnerable witnesses; Interviewing suspects Intimate partner violence and stalking

Crime and Offence Typology & Classification
Serious Crime including homicide, sexual offences and arson

Offender Rehabilitation
How is risk assessed and what can psychology contribute to offender rehabilitation?

Mental Health and Crime
Population of mentally ill incarcerated; National and international trends; Psychopathic offenders: diagnosis and treatment

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Davies, G., Hollin, C. & Bull: 2012, Forensic Psychology, Wiley, Chichester, UK,
Andrews, D.A. & Bonta, J: 2010, The Psychology of Criminal Conduct, 5th,
Bartol A.M. (Editor): 2011, Current Perspectives in Forensic Psychology and Criminal Behavior, SAGE, London, UK,
Bartol,C.R. & Bartol, A.M.: 2011, Introduction to Forensic Psychology, SAGE, London, UK,
James McGuire: 2004, Understanding psychology and crime,
Hollin, C. R. (ed): 2004, The essential handbook of offender assessment and treatment,
Craig, Gannon & Dixon: 2013, What works in offender rehabilitation: an evidence based approach to treatment and assessment, Wiley, Chichester, UK,
Chamberlain, J.: 2012, Understanding criminological research, SAGE, London, UK,
Eastin, M.: 2013, Encyclopedia of media violence, SAGE, London, UK,
Green, G. P. & Haines A.,: 2002, Asset building & community development, SAGE, Thousand Oaks, Calif., US,
Gerstenfeld, P.B.: 2011, Hate crimes, SAGE, Thousand Oaks, US,
Holmes, R.M., & Holmes S. T.: 2008, Profiling Violent Crimes, SAGE, London, UK,
Sacco, V. F.: 2005, When crime waves, SAGE, London, UK,
Winder, B. & Banyard. P (Eds): 2012, A Psychologist's Casebook of Crime, Palgrave MacMillan, UK,
Duntley, J. D. & Todd K. Shackelford, T.K., (eds): 2008, Evolutionary forensic psychology, Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK,
Kivivuori, J.: 2011, Discovery of Hidden Crime, Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK,
Welsh, B.C., & Farrington, D. P.: 2014, The Oxford Handbook of Crime Prevention, Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK,
Canter, D.: 2010, Forensic psychology, Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None