Forensic Psychology

Recommended Prerequisites

NA

Teaching Methods

As lectures are of theoretical/practical nature, in the first part of each class there will be an oral presentation on the most relevant findings of theoretical and empirical research on each point of the syllabus described above. In addition, there will be in the second part of the class a list of activities of a more practical natures, including presentation and discussion of scientific videos, and the critical analysis of psychological reports as well as of theoretical and empirical texts on relevant for theme developed in each class.

Learning Outcomes

1-The aim of this course is to provide a broad and critical view of the main contributions of Psychology to the justice system, highlighting the main problems the psychologists are often confronted with in that field.

 

2-At the end of this course students should be able to:

 

- describe the role of psychologist working in justice system

- describe the main concepts and subdomains of forensic psychology

- identify and assess the most frequent mental disorders in that context

- use the instruments and techniques most adequate to deal with the these problems

- read in a critical way the documents (research or practical reports) about diferent topics of forensic psychology

- analyse and discuss ethical and deontological issues often found in hat work

- communicate in a convincing way the results of  psychological research to the other professionals of the legal system and to the general public.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

1.The making of a discipline

concepts

historical synopsis

sub-fields

2.Ppsychologists in the justice system

Legal background

Distinction from other psychological espcializations

Characteristics of the psychological expertise

Logic of the Law snd logic of Psychology

3.Mental disorders in Forensuc Psychology

Psychotic disorders

Mental deficiency

Substance disorders

4.The perspective of the Law

Psycopathy

Constructs

Its relation to crime

Models and assessment

Psychopathic traits in children/adolescents

5.Psychologist´s functions and tools in the different phases of criminal process

Interrogations and interviews

Assessmento of legal competences and witnesses

Insanity and  criminal responsibility

Practie of risk assessment in different domains

6.Other topics

Sexual crimes and pedofilia

Crime desistance and treatment

7.Child/Adolescent Forensic Psychology

Contributions  from other Psychology disciplines

The specificity of its evaluations and interventions

Child abuse

Recent development

Head Lecturer(s)

António Castro Fonseca

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Exam: 100.0%

Bibliography

APA(2015). APA Handbook of psychology and juvenile justice. Washington:APA.Borgida, E.& Fiske, S.( 2008).Beyond Common Sense:Psychological Science in the Courtroom. USA:Blackwell Publishing

Fonseca, A., Simões, M., Taborda Simões, M. & Pinho, M. (2006). Psicologia Forense. Coimbra:Almedina

Fonseca, A.C. (2008). Psicologia e Justiça. Coimbra:Almedina

Goldstein, A.M. (2007).Forensic psychology: Emerging topics and expanding roles.NY:Wiley

Grigorenko,E.(2012).Juvenile Forensic Psychology and Psychiatry.London:Springer

Hess, A. & Weiner, I.(2006). Handbook of Forensic Psychology. New York:John Wiley & Son

 

Roesch, R., & Cook, A.(2017).Handbook of forensic mental health services.NY:Routledge

Simões,M. Almeida,L.e Gonçalves,M.(2017). Psicologia Forense: Instrumentos de avaliação. Lisboa PFactor

Skeem, J., Douglas, K. & Lilienfeld, S.(2009).Psychological science in the courtroomy.NY:The Guilford Press

Ward, T., & Maruna, S. (2007).Rehabilitation:Beyond the risk paradigm. London:Routledg