Key Concepts
Theories of Crime
- Understanding the term crime: the breaking of laws or rules to which some governing authority can prescribe a penal consequence.
- Biological explanations of crime: these include genetics and neurological factors.
- Psychological theories of criminal behaviour underline the importance of learning and experiences, such as Bandura’s Social Learning Theory.
- Appreciating sociological theories of crime like the Social-Bond Theory which concentrates on the relationship between the individual and society.
Forensic Psychology
- Unraveling forensic psychology: a branch of psychology that deals with understanding criminal behaviour, helping law enforcement agencies to resolve criminal activities.
- Understanding the role of a forensic psychologist, which includes assessment, counselling and intervention design.
- Familiarity with psychological profiling: a method used by forensic psychologists to predict and profile the character traits of unknown criminal subjects or offenders.
Eye Witness Testimony and Memory
- Understanding eye witness testimony (EWT): an account given by people who have witnessed a significant event or crime.
- The strengths and weaknesses of EWT, how it can be influenced by the Misinformation Effect and the leading questions created by the psychologist Elizabeth Loftus.
- Understanding how the cognitive Interview technique can improve the reliability of witness recall.
Rehabilitation and Treatment
- Looking at the purpose of sentencing: punishment, deterrence, rehabilitation, reparation and protection of the public.
- Understanding the principles behind rehabilitation: to change an offender's behaviour and make a positive contribution to society, reducing rates of recidivism.
- Familiarity with the different types of treatment programmes for offenders, such as cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) and cognitive skills programmes.
Research Methods
- Understanding different research methods: from experimental methods to observation and case studies.
- Knowledge of ethics in research, including informed consent, protection from harm, confidentiality and the right to withdraw.
- Understanding validity and reliability in research: a valid research study is one that measures what it intended to measure; a reliable study produces consistent results.