PSY246: Psychology and the Law

This course examines the role of the forensic psychologist in the criminal justice system as well as the personality traits, thoughts, and action patterns of the criminal mind. Using research in the field of forensic psychology and case histories, students will gain an understanding of the characteristics commonly identified in individuals who engage in a criminal lifestyle. They will also be able to identify common patterns of behavior that allow one to develop a profile of individuals who have committed certain types of crime (rapists, murderers, mass killers, etc.). Other areas of discussion include eyewitness testimony, jury selection, competency to stand trial, and battered wife syndrome. Prerequisite: PSY105.