A2 Unit 3 Options in Applied Psychology Forensic Psychology What are you going to learn? September - January
Turning to Crime Why do people turn to crime? Family, biology, (cognition) learning, etc.
Making a Case How Psychology is used within the investigative process. Methods of interviewing witnesses and suspects. Factors influencing witnesses. Detecting lies. Creating an offender profile.
Reaching a verdict How Psychology can inform behaviour in the courtroom. Persuading a jury Witness appeal Reaching a verdict
After a guilty verdict How Psychology can inform the penal system. Research into the effects of imprisonment. Alternatives to imprisonment. Treatment programmes for offenders.
Where do Forensic Psychologists work? Prison Service Psychometric assessments, administering treatment programmes and research. Providing evidence at trial Work with offenders and inform parole boards.
Where do Forensic Psychologists work? Clinical setting - hospitals Risk assessment Treatment programmes Working with the mentally ill, those with borderline personality disorders and substance abuse.
Where do Forensic Psychologists work? Research Police Force Probation Service Crime Analysts (data analysis using computers) Profiler (minor role alongside other work)
Where do we begin? We will consider the following areas: Why do people turn to crime? Does crime run in families? Does poverty lead to crime? How do nature and nurture interact to cause criminal behaviour? Is there a biological cause for criminal behaviour? Do criminals have different thought processes?