Course Details in 2025/26 Session

Module Title	LH Crime and Antisocial Behaviour: Theory, Research and Practice
School	School of Psychology
Department	School of Psychology
Module Code	03 37210
Module Lead	Dr Stephane de Brito and Prof. Jess Woodhams
Level	Honours Level
Credits	20
Semester	Semester 1
Pre-requisites	LC Lifespan Psychology B: Social Psychology of the Person - (03 36718) LI Neuroscience Methods 1 - (03 28757) LI Research Methods C - (03 24684) LC Introduction to Psychobiology: From Ion Channels to Behaviour - (03 30012) LI Research Methods D - (03 24686) LC Lifespan Psychology A: Introduction to Developmental Psychology - (03 36716)
Co-requisites
Restrictions	None
Contact Hours	Lecture-20 hours Seminar-11 hours Guided independent study-169 hours Total: 200 hours
Exclusions
Description	This module introduces students to the field of forensic psychology (e.g., theories of offending, crime linkage, eye-witness testimony), as well as an in-depth understanding of environmental (e.g., childhood maltreatment) and neurobiological (e.g., genetics) factors implicated in the development and maintenance of severe antisocial and violent behaviours throughout the lifespan. The course will focus on a number of psychiatric disorders in childhood (e.g., Conduct Disorder, Oppositional Defiant Disorder) and adulthood (e.g., Antisocial Personality Disorder, Psychopathy) associated with antisocial and violent behaviours. The implications of this research for clinical practice and the legal system is discussed throughout the course.
Learning Outcomes	By the end of the module students should be able to: Understand how theories, separately and in combination, may explain antisocial and violent behaviour (whether criminal or not) and be able to critically assess their strengths and weaknesses. Understand that juvenile and adult offenders are not a homogeneous group but have varied criminogenic and non-criminogenic needs, and pathways to crime. In particular, understand and describe different psychiatric disorders associated with violent and antisocial behaviours Identify and critically discuss the influence of different environmental and neurobiological factors implicated in the development and maintenance of antisocial and violent behaviours Understand how criminogenic and non-criminogenic factors are related to the assessment and treatment of offenders. Develop a critical understanding of aspects of policing practices and aspects of the criminal justice system.
Assessment	37210-01 : Coursework : Coursework (50%) 37210-02 : Examination : Exam (Centrally Timetabled) - Written Unseen (50%)
Assessment Methods & Exceptions	Assessment: 50% coursework, 50% exam Reassessment: None, as this is a final year module.
Other
Reading List