Enrolments for 2021 have closed.
Psychological Contributions to Understanding Crime
Postgraduate | CUR-PSB550 | 2021
Course information for 2021 intake View information for 2024 course intake
Untangle the ‘why’ behind crime by better understanding the perpetrators psyche. You’ll consider how elements such as biology, personality and mental health impact are at play. Get an introduction to forensic psychology and major theories of crime.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Entry requirements
- Part of a degree
- Duration
- 13 weeks
HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP available
Psychological Contributions to Understanding Crime
About this subject
At the completion of this subject students will be able to:
- explain the primary explanations of criminal behaviour and illustrate how these may apply to contemporary issues
- describe the relationship between criminality and wider society
- apply theoretical models to help explain contemporary societal problems
- communicate professionally, ethically, and with academic integrity.
- What is forensic psychology?
- History of forensic psychology
- Psychosocial research perspectives
- Psychobiological research perspectives
- Public perceptions of crime and punishment
- Psychology, crime and the public
Forensic psychology concerns the application of psychology to the understanding and operation of legal and criminal justice systems. Theories and knowledge from a broad range of domains can be applied within forensic contexts. This subject of study demonstrates how knowledge from the domains of biological, cognitive, developmental, social and personality, and mental health psychology have been successfully employed to address forensic questions and issues. Students are presented with an introduction to key areas of forensic psychology and major theories of crime are offered and evaluated. Societal constructions of criminality and the changing nature of criminality are examined. Psychological explanations of crime are applied to contemporary issues and appraised. Potential limitations of psychology within forensic settings are explored.
Please Note: If it’s your first time studying a Curtin University subject you’ll need to complete their compulsory ‘Academic Integrity Program’. It only takes two hours to complete online, and provides you with vital information about studying with Curtin University. The Academic Integrity Program is compulsory, so if it’s not completed your subject grades will be withheld.
Find out more about the Academic Integrity module.
- Written Assignment (50%)
- Examination (50%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
Start your career with Curtin’s globally recognised courses and extensive industry connections. Through OUA, their online courses offer an interactive and collaborative learning experience that gets you the same degree as if you studied on campus. Curtin is a global university with a vibrant culture of innovation and collaboration and is ranked in the top one per cent of universities worldwide.
Learn more about Curtin University.
Explore Curtin courses.
- QS Ranking 2024:
- 14
- Times Higher Education Ranking 2024:
- 15
Entry requirements
To enrol in this subject, you must be admitted into a degree.
Equivalent subjects
You should not enrol in this subject if you have successfully completed any of the following subject(s) because they are considered academically equivalent:
CUR-PSB550C-Psychological Contributions to Understanding Crime (no longer available)
Additional requirements
No additional requirements
Study load
- 0.125 EFTSL
- This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.
Equivalent full time study load (EFTSL) is one way to calculate your study load. One (1.0) EFTSL is equivalent to a full-time study load for one year.
Find out more information on Commonwealth Loans to understand what this means to your eligibility for financial support.