Psychology with Criminology

Core modules

Introduction to Psychology

You will examine how psychology research is conducted and interpreted; a range of perspectives in psychology, including comparative psychology; psychopathology and cognition; key studies and theories in psychology; and current developments in psychology. You will study in detail historically important approaches to psychology. There is also a practical focus on the levels of analysis at which psychologists work, and the relationship between psychological theories and everyday human behaviour and experience.

Introduction to the Criminal Justice System

You will develop a clear understanding of the UK criminal justice system, in particular its origins, structure, functions and development, as well as examining the impact of social issues such as gender, age, ethnicity and social class upon and within the system. The module explores the key underpinnings of the criminal justice system, including the central management organisations – most notably the Home Office and the Ministry of Justice – and the core agencies that operate within the system, such as police, prison and probation services. You will also study key developments occurring within the UK criminal justice process, whilst also noting the influence of international models on the UK, including the "victim movement" and the increasingly victim-centred nature of the criminal justice system.

Understanding Crime and Society

Crime cannot be understood without taking into consideration a range of socio-economic circumstances and aspects of social change. You will explore a range of contextual factors that impact upon the nature and level of crime, and which also shape how crime is responded to both by government organisations and wider society.

The module is divided into three distinct components:

• Part A – Understanding the changing nature of society
  Key socio-economic developments and changes within contemporary society: an overview of key issues and trends relating to inequality, deprivation, social class, ethnicity, gender, family, drugs, etc.
• Part B – Understanding the relationship between place, people and crime in Nottingham
  This component uses the Chicago School’s concept of zones of transition and stability to explore the presence of crime hotspots within Nottingham. An introduction to environmental criminology and the Chicago School approach will be complimented by a series of field trips to real zones of transition and stability within the City.
• Part C – Developing stakeholder-orientated crime profiles of localities within Greater Nottingham
  This final component of the module provides students with an opportunity to apply the generic socio-economic themes from Part A, along with the Chicago School framework developed in Part B, to the study of crime within a specific locality. Extending the focus beyond the city core, Part C of the module utilises student-led case studies to develop crime profiles of neighbourhoods on the fringes of the city, and within satellite market towns and rural communities from around Nottingham.

Research Methods in Psychology

An introduction to a variety of research methods used in psychology. You have the opportunity to develop and practice report-writing skills, understand experimentation and self-report methods, and gain practical experience. You will run and report upon your study in groups. You will be required to formulate hypotheses, search for and review any relevant literature in the library, prepare necessary materials or instruments, select a sample, collect and analyse data using appropriate statistical techniques, interpret the findings, and produce an individual written report of the work undertaken.

Statistics (One)

Study the fundamental concepts and practices of statistical data analysis in psychology. By the end of the module, you should be able to design research studies in psychology, and be familiar with a range of descriptive, nonparametric and parametric statistics. The module is assessed by one examination at the end. Continuous feedback throughout the year will help you progress, help you develop your skills, and act as a resource to draw upon when conducting research.

Explaining Criminal Behaviour

Explore the theoretical explanations for crime and criminality adopted by schools of thought from disciplines such as sociology, psychology, and criminology. You will identify developments in criminological thought, the role of criminology in society from the medieval era through to contemporary trends in criminological thought, and you will examine the role of criminological theory in criminal justice practice. Key themes to be covered in this module typically include: the origins of explaining criminal behaviour; crime and pre-modernity; the rational actor model of crime and criminal behaviour (Classicism, right realism, contemporary rational actor theories); the predestined actor model of crime and criminal behaviour (biological, psychological and sociological positivisms); crime and the post-modern condition; crime and the future of criminology; and applying psychology-based theories to different types of crime.

Core modules

Cognitive and Biological Psychology

Study the cognitive and biological perspective of psychology, encountering concepts and research methodologies in topics such as memory, attention, sensation, and perception. You will be introduced to the structure and function of the brain and allied structures; the language of biological psychology; the main approaches taken in behavioural neuroscience, such as functional neuroanatomy and functional neurophysiology; a range of biological, evolutionary and genetic influences that affect human behaviour and experience; basic cognitive processes; and the relationship between cognitive approaches and other approaches in psychology. You will also consider the applications of cognitive psychology in accounting for everyday processes and in improving human performance.

Social and Lifespan Developmental Psychology

Examine social and lifespan developmental aspects of psychology, including: the major theories and methodological approaches in social and developmental psychology; the range of development across a person’s lifespan; the diversity of development of individuals and groups across age, time, culture and place; and the relationship between theories in social psychology and an everyday understanding of social behaviour.

Research Methods and Statistics (Two)

An integrated module studying advanced experimental, psychometric, and qualitative research techniques in laboratory practicals. Supporting this are a series of lectures and workshops designed to help you develop your statistical knowledge and skills. Laboratory work will involve one experimental study, one regression-based study, and a qualitative study. All studies will be on an area relevant to psychology. You will be organised into small groups, and each group will have to run and report upon their study. You will also be required to formulate hypotheses, search for and review relevant literature, prepare or select necessary stimuli or scales, select a sample, collect and analyse data appropriately, interpret findings, and produce individual reports of the work undertaken. The module will also build upon the content of Statistics (One). Particular emphasis will be placed on factorial ANOVA and the concept of interaction. You will also consider the theory and statistical techniques associated primarily with non-experimental research. These include multiple regression, Cronbach’s alpha, multiple correlations, and exploratory factor analysis.

Penology

Take a critical approach to theoretical and practical understandings of punishment, penality and penal institutions in England and Wales. This module seeks to provide an appreciation of the evolution, conditions and structure of the modern penal system, and the challenges that the current incarnation of penal administration – the National Offender Management Service (NOMS) – faces in delivering effective penal policy in England and Wales. The module sets the political, economic, structural and societal context within which NOMS operates, and covers the impact of these on NOMS' ability to: deliver effective punishments; protect the public from offenders; protect communities from the impact of crime;, reduce re-offending; take account of the needs, wishes and rights of the victims of crime; and rehabilitate offenders. Finally, the module introduces and discusses key debates in penology and considers the future of punishment delivery. For example, to what extent will the privatisation of "punishment and justice" achieve the stipulated aim of "transforming rehabilitation"?

Policing

Examining the development and current status of the police service in England and Wales, with particular attention paid to structure, functions, powers and culture. The module aims to provide you with an appreciation of the core principles that underpin policing whilst also examining how the police service operates; the police officer’s law enforcement powers; and the role of the police in the criminal justice process. By focusing on a number of contemporary issues and theoretical debates in crime and policy, it demonstrates the importance of situating the police and policing into a wider socio-economic and political context whilst also evaluating the impact of national influences on different aspects of police work.

Core modules

Psychology Research Project

A major piece of work whereby you will carry out independent research, the topic and design of which is decided upon in consultation with a supervisor. The project will demonstrate that you can conduct an extended research report, as well as show your understanding of the methodological skills and presentational techniques developed throughout the course.

Professional Practice in Psychology

Addressing aspects of professional psychology, you will work on a problem from a set of professional scenarios and form a project team to address the problem.The first half of the module addresses a single area of professional practice; theory and application of occupational and organisational psychology. The second half of the module uses problem-based learning methods to give you an experience of professional project work across a broader range of applied areas of interest. Students select a problem from a set of professional scenarios and form a project team to address the problem. The project team work as a group to produce a consultancy report of their findings and each student writes an essay reflecting on their experiences.

Advanced Psychology

Choose between the following:

Students select a module in either Advanced Social and Developmental Psychology or Advanced Cognitive and Biological Psychology. These modules involve exploring these core areas of psychology in more depth and will develop your critical analysis skills on these areas.

• Advanced Cognitive and Biological Psychology
  This advanced psychology module aims to give students further insight into biological and cognitive material, building on the basic knowledge acquired in Year Two. In particular you will be encourage to develop a reflective understating of the anatomy and physiological processes that underpin psychological experience, develop an understand of the methodologies used to examine issues in biological psychology, critically examine how contemporary bio-psychological models are developed and evaluate them as explanations of behaviour, develop a thorough understanding of how various cognitive psychological constructs can be used to theorise mental functioning in a range of domains, and develop an in-depth understanding of the cognitive processes that underlie the performance of several different everyday tasks and have an understanding of relevant research evidence, and of how research relates to theory, to be able to critically evaluate different accounts of cognitive functioning in specific domains.
• Advanced Social and Developmental Psychology
  This module will build on the Year Two Social and Lifespan Developmental Psychology module. You will further explore child development and its relationship to a child’s genetics and environment, childhood, education and family, attachment and emotional development, adolescence, Language development, cognitive processing and development, difficulties in children’s development, social categorisation, social identity, Pro-social behaviour, processes of social influence and intergroup relations. You will also develop knowledge and understanding of social psychological processes, be able to contextualise the development and use of social and developmental psychological theory and research and build on your understanding of how evidence from investigations can inform theory and practice, provide in-depth discussions of a set of contemporary applied issues in social and developmental psychology, evaluate the relevance of theory and research in social and developmental psychology to specific areas of application and become a critical reader of the research literature.

Optional modules

Choose one from a selection of optional Psychology modules and one from a selection of Criminology modules that may include:

Psychology modules

Trauma in Children and Adolescents

The aim of the module is to provide theoretical understanding of the impact of childhood trauma on children and adolescents, and to provide an understanding of the role and roots of resilience. The module seeks to provide students with knowledge about the signs and symptoms, behavioural patterns, and underlying psychological and biological changes associated with psychopathology after childhood and adolescent trauma.

Health Psychology of Chronic Illness

Health psychology is an interdisciplinary field, concerned with the application of psychological knowledge to health, illness and healthcare. Its primary purpose is to understand and improve the health and wellbeing of individuals and communities. This module will introduce students to some of the core areas within the field, exploring key concepts used in the study of both healthy and ill populations. The module will cover contemporary psychological theories of health and illness from a number of perspectives, and will draw upon research that has used a variety of methodological approaches. For example, we will explore psychological perspectives on behaviours which pose a risk to health (such as smoking, obesity and exercise), consider what happens when we get ill (e.g. seeking help, medicine taking behaviour and adjustment to illness) and explore how psychologists can help people who are dying and suffering from bereavement. Particular focus will be given to how theory can be used to inform practice and the development of interventions.

Psychopathology: Phenomenology, Assessment, Treatment and Current Issues

It has been estimated that mental illness accounts for a third of all illnesses in the UK, and a quarter of the population will be affected at some point in the lifespan. The overarching aim of this module is to develop students’ knowledge of mental disorders and topics relevant to clinical psychology. Specifically, this module aims to: provide students with comprehensive knowledge of psychological disorders in adults and psychological and developmental disorders in children; provide awareness about current clinical practice such as commonly adopted classification (DSM-V) and recommended treatments (NICE guidelines); develop students’ understanding of theory, research and current issues around clinical psychology and consider their impact; critically evaluate recent psychological research and scrutinise its application to contemporary clinical practice; and encourage consideration of multiple viewpoints and critically examine different approaches in the field.

Criminological Psychology

Criminological psychology focuses on the application of psychology to legal processes and the criminal justice system as well as the understanding of offending behaviour.

Cyberpsychology

Study the impact of the Internet and new technologies on our social relationships and the ways we relate to each other, as well as more technical aspects of cyberpsychology and philosophical issues relating to how we do, might, or should interact within virtual environments.

Contesting Mental Illness: The Psychology of Distress 

This modules focuses on critiquing key assumptions behind mainstream psychiatry and exploring psychological and service-user led alternatives. Through taking this approach, you'll develop a psychological foundation for understanding mental health difficulties, along with developing important employability skills relevant to a career in clinical psychology and the helping professions.

Gender, Identity and Body Image

Taking a social constructionist stance you will challenge the taken for granted ‘obviousness’ of our assumptions about a number of issues relating to gender, identity and body image.

The Psychology of Sex

Sexual behaviour is central to our lives, yet its importance to our happiness and well-being often goes unrecognised. In this module, human sexuality will be explored. The origins of international, crosscultural and religious views on sex will be examined along with a detailed review of the key methodologies and theories within this area of research. Important, applied, topics such as the origins of sexual orientation, sexual coercion and sex education will be covered. Specific issues that will be covered in depth include: historical perspectives on sexuality; international perspectives on sexuality; sex and relationship research methodologies; sexual anatomy and reproductive physiology; sexual arousal and response patterns; the psychobiological basis to sexual orientation, non-heterosexual sexuality and sex and relationship problems.

Psychology of Religion

Why does religion exist? What function does it serve in society? What’s the difference between a cult and a religion? What is the difference between a psychotic hallucination and a religious vision? What is the role of religion and spirituality in everyday life? How might it contribute to our wellbeing? How might religious practices have something to offer society (e.g. mindfulness practice of Buddhism). These are the sorts of questions that will be explored in this module. Lectures will typically include: the historical and cultural background to religion and spirituality; the evolutionary, biological, social and cognitive explanations for religion; understanding cults and why people join them; the psychology of religious and spiritual experiences and practices.

Psychoanalysis: The Theory and Practice

This module explores the works of classical themes in psychoanalysis from a practical and clinical perspective: Oedipus Complex, Narcissism, the Unconscious, Splitting and Bonding, Transference and Counter-transference, Good and Bad Objects, Development of the Self, Projection and Projective Identification, Empathy, and Anger and Aggression.

Occupational Psychology

Occupational Psychology is concerned with the application of psychological knowledge for the understanding of individual behaviour in organisations and workplaces.

Mind Reading and Mind Control

Psychologists are often asked if they know what people are thinking. This module will explore the extent to which current methods in cognitive psychology and cognitive neuroscience allow us to read people’s minds, and even control what they are thinking. It will provide you with a critical and practical understanding of the modern developments that enable us to determine the inner workings of the mind.

Personality, Personality Disorder and Violence

This module aims to provide students with an understanding of personality by discussing the most prominent personality models such as the Five Factor Model, and more specific maladaptive trait models, such as the Dark Triad.

Psychology in the Criminal Justice System

The module will develop students' knowledge of the utilisation of psychology within the criminal justice system and investigative procedures.

Psychology of Criminal Behaviour

The module will develop students' knowledge of the utilisation of psychology to explain a range of criminal behaviours.

Introduction to Systematic Review in Psychology

The module aims to develop students to the necessary skills and understanding to conduct a robust, structured psychological literature review.

Meta-Analysis for Psychology

The module aims to give students a critical understanding of various approaches to meta-analysis.

The Psychology of Social Realities

The aims of this module are for students to critically engage with current Psychological evidence on social power, social injustice, and social realities.

Criminology modules

Young People, Crime and Justice

Critically explore the youth justice system in the UK and the responses to juvenile justice.

Sexual and Violent Crimes

Study sexual and violent offending within a theoretical context and the response to this type of offending.

Drugs and Society

This module provides a detailed understanding of the wider social context of drug use, together with an examination of the effects of drug consumption and addiction on individual users.

International Crime

This module develops your awareness of the problems associated with: i) transnational crime; ii) crime issues of significance to the international community; iii) the social, political, legal and policy difficulties associated with such crime types.

Hi-Tech Crime

Examine the evolution and dynamics of offending and the implications for wider society and deviance taking place on the Internet.

Cultural Criminology

This module aims to highlight the work of cultural criminologists in response to behaviours that may be deemed anti social or ‘delinquent’ in nature.

Please note:

The number of places available on some optional modules may be limited. These will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Students who are unable to select their first choice will be offered an alternative from the remaining optional modules.