What sort of thinking occurs in individuals who sexually offend or commit other acts of violence? Do they somehow believe their actions are legitimate or do they know their actions are wrong but offend nonetheless? What about people who experience and witness crime? Can we trust their perceptions? Understanding cognition—the mental processes through which people make sense of their world—is crucial for understanding and preventing offending. In this strongly evidence-based module, you will learn about influential theories developed to explain antisocial actions, about research findings that help us understand why people offend, and about how treatment can target cognition to reduce recidivism. You’ll also learn how the fallibility of human memory can play havoc within the criminal justice system. Each workshop will encourage you to think critically about the available evidence and will give you the skills to debate and discuss core questions in forensic cognition.
Workshop 32
The module is compulsory for the following courses
MSc Forensic Psychology
This module is not available as an optional module
Not available as an elective module.
Extended Writing. Assessment Details: Research Proposal 3,000 words worth 100%. This Assessment is Pass Compulsory.
Reassessment Method: Like for Like
The University is committed to ensuring that core reading materials are in accessible electronic format in line with the Kent Inclusive Practices. The most up to date reading list for each module can be found on the university's reading list pages.
See the library reading list for this module (Canterbury)
On successfully completing the module, students will be able to:
1. Demonstrate an advanced understanding of socio-cognitive factors and their relevance to the criminal justice process
2. Critically evaluate research of cognitive phenomena and cognitive methodologies applied to understanding the causes, consequences, and prevention of crime
3. Generate solutions for existing knowledge gaps in the understanding of forensic-related cognition.
4. Design empirically-sound research to address knowledge gaps in forensic-related cognition
5. Explain problems and justify solutions relating to the theoretical and empirical evidence base for the field of forensic-related cognition
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