Psychology and Policing
PostgraduateCUR-PSB5402020
Course information for 2020 intake
Learn how psychology can help police. You’ll dive head-first into false confessions and testimony, interviewing, facial recognition, eyewitnesses and human error. Beyond prosecution, learn how psychologists can assist police in times of stress.
Enrolments for this course are closed, but you may have other options to start studying now. Book a consultation to learn more.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Entry requirements
- Part of a degree
- Duration
- 13 weeks
- Loan available
- FEE-HELP available
Psychology and Policing
About this subject
At the completion of this subject students will be able to:
- demonstrate knowledge of contemporary policing and how it is influenced by psychological research
- show how a broad range of psychological findings can be applied to police work and assess their utility
- critique information gathering techniques employed by the police
- effectively argue for the inclusion of forensic psychology in police investigations.
- False confessions and testimony
- Police interviewing
- Facial recognition
- Eyewitnesses and error
- Detecting deception
- Evidence-based policing
- Policing and stress
- Police and psychology in partnership I
- Police and psychology in partnership II
Psychologists have assisted the work of the police in a number of ways and this subject of study introduces applications of psychology to police operations. Topics covered include false confessions and testimony, police interviewing, facial recognition, and eyewitnesses and error. The rise of evidence-based policing has encouraged psychologists to work closely with the police on developing practices that are grounded in empirical research, and this approach will be critically assessed. Police officers frequently experience work related stress and ways in which psychologists can assist officers in responding to stress are also examined. Students will be provided with an overview of the opportunities and limitations of police-psychology collaborations. The need for a pragmatic approach underscores this subject of study.
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).
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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:
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.