Understanding Criminal Psychology

Criminal psychology is the application of psychological principles and theories to understand criminal behaviour and the criminal justice system. It involves studying the thoughts, feelings, motivations and behaviours of those who commit crimes and the psychological effects of crime on victims and society. This criminology course provides an overview of the fundamental principles and concepts of the field and prepares you for further study or work in criminal justice or psychology. We first introduce you to the critical task of getting the correct information from witnesses despite different psychological reasons that might drive them to conceal the truth. We explore the challenges facing criminalists, who use scientific methods to analyse evidence. The course then discusses the valuable skills required to become a criminal judge and examines the vital assumptions and beliefs that guide the legal collection and presentation of evidence.

We then outline different strategies used to ensure the legal process remains fair, impartial and just, even in the face of egoism and other personal biases. We show you how to work closely with various legal professionals and stakeholders, including lawyers and jurors, to facilitate collaboration and ensure effective communication. Human memory can be an essential source of evidence in a court of law, but it is also subject to several limitations and potential errors. It is thus necessary for judges and lawyers to be aware of the ‘rules’ of human memory and to be able to use a variety of sources of evidence to support witness testimony. The course examines different theories on human memory and explains how it works and factors that can influence and distort our memory and visual perception.

We designed this course for anyone interested in understanding the psychology of criminal behaviour and how such conduct can be prevented, identified or treated. This course suits anyone interested in crime or criminology who wants to explore the psychology behind criminal behaviour and understand its reasons. We use real-life examples to help you understand how criminal psychology is applied. Studying criminal psychology can lead to various career opportunities, including law enforcement, criminal justice, social work and counselling positions. It can also promote personal growth by enhancing critical thinking skills, developing empathy and understanding and fostering a deeper appreciation for diversity and cultural differences. These skills can be applied in a variety of personal and professional contexts. Sign up to learn what drives people to commit crimes and how the criminal justice system responds to them.