Forensic Psychology

Using real-life case studies, topical news stories and contemporary psychological research, within this module you will develop an understanding of key issues that are shaping our world today. Placing contemporary issues in forensic psychology within their social, historical and applied contexts, we will explore a range of theoretical perspectives, challenges and advances in forensic practice and policy.  Each topic delivered reflects staff interests and expertise around forensic psychology.

Always wondered why people commit crimes? Focusing on key debates and challenges within Forensic Psychology, you will develop valuable research and employability skills. Using a student-led learning approach, you will work collaboratively, in small independent groups, to negotiate a topic within Forensic Psychology that interests you. Considering a range of perspectives and enquiry based learning, you will develop a deeper understanding of forensic psychology, identifying key problems and potential solutions.

In this module, we provide an introduction to the process of conducting quantitative psychological research. You will learn how to design robust psychological experiments; how to measure and collect data about thoughts, feelings, and behaviour; how to work with numerical datasets and apply analyses to discover patterns and test theories; and how to report findings using recognised scientific reporting guidelines. The module emphasises progressive ‘open science’ research practices and transferrable data science skills.

Many research questions are better answered using discursive qualitative data, rather than numerical quantitative approaches. In this module you will learn the main methods and approaches in qualitative psychology, and the important contributions they can make to advancing psychological knowledge. 

Real-world work experience is valuable in developing and applying a range of personal and professional skills and attributes. However, what does psychological research and theory highlight as the essential skills required for success at university and employment? Through a process of reflective practice, critical thinking and practical activities, this module focuses on identifying and developing specific skills including confidence, self-efficacy and goal orientation.

Work experience can be vital for success in a competitive graduate job market, but how do students develop workplace experience, skills, and knowledge whilst studying on a full time course? The work-integrated learning in psychology module provides all students with an invaluable opportunity to gain this work based learning in one of a range of settings in and around Manchester. Support from your personal tutor is on hand as you develop your skills, knowledge, and self-awareness, and identify areas for your own personal growth and development. 

What is crime and what causes people to carry out criminal acts? Are some people simply born bad, or is criminal behaviour more complex? In this module, we explore how variables such as biology, culture and environment, childhood experiences, and socialisation influence criminal attitudes and behaviour. Considering crime in its historical and cultural setting allows us to appreciate the intricate interplay of variables leading to criminal behaviour, and allows us to begin considering how offenders can be best supported to change. 

Ethical and effective investigations are the key to solving crimes, facilitating justice, and protecting the public, but how do the police investigate crime? What can psychology contribute to the investigation process? Through examining the structure and history of British policing, in this module we begin to explore the role of psychology in shaping policing practice. We consider how police investigative processes can be improved in terms of bringing offenders to justice, and protecting the rights of victims, witnesses and suspects. 

How can we use numerical data to test psychological theories and make predictions? How can we design, analyse, and report experiments, or use questionnaires to measure psychological constructs? This module introduces advanced research designs and statistical analyses to prepare you to address a wide range of psychology questions, and prepare you to report findings for a range of audiences.

Working collaboratively is an important life skill that transfers to a range of graduate roles. Within this module, you learn essential cooperation, negotiation, and team-working skills as you work collaboratively to design a piece of research on a forensic psychology topic of your choosing. With the support of a team facilitator, you will identify a key topic, current challenge, or burning question in forensic psychology, and consider how to address that question in an innovative and ethical manner. 

Building on the knowledge and skills introduced at Level 4, this module considers how more advanced qualitative research designs are used to address complex questions in psychology. You are introduced to the importance of rigorous approaches to data collection, analysis, and reporting of qualitative data. 

How do we learn new information? What influences our decisions? What are the factors that influence creativity? Through addressing various fascinating questions such as these, this module critically explores key areas of cognitive psychological theory and research. It provides a foundation understanding contemporary issues, debates, and methods in this interesting and core psychological field. Practical and real-world examples as well as experimental design issues are discussed throughout the module, and the historical and philosophical context of our learning is considered. 

Does our attachment with our primary caregivers really affect all our future relationships? Do our primary caregivers or friends have more of an influence on our understanding of morality? The lifespan development module is designed to explore questions such as these and a range of developmental psychological topics over the course of the lifespan.

This module explores social psychological topics, and differences in approaches to social psychological knowledge. 

It will cover areas of social psychology outlined by the British Psychological Society, for example social cognition, attribution, attitudes, group processes and intergroup relations, culture, close relationships, social constructionism, self and identity, and leadership. Through the exploration of these topics you will consider alternative paradigms, perspectives and approaches in social psychology and the ways in which social psychological knowledge is impacted by the context in which it is gained. 

How do our individual personalities and cognitive functioning impact the behaviour of witnesses, offenders and criminal justice professionals? From intelligence, emotion, and psychopathology to contemporary issues like culture, community, and gender, uncover the role and impact of differences and diversity within forensic populations.

Biopsychologists study how our behaviours, thoughts and feelings depend on the biology of our brains. We use highly advanced technologies to discover how differences in this biology between individuals, and across our lifespans, make us who we are. Throughout the module, we’ll look at how a new understanding of how our brains work has led to a changed insight into what it means to be human.

Negotiating complex relationships and working within professional frameworks are key components of being a forensic psychologist. However, there is an inherent imbalance of power and control between forensic psychologists and offenders. In this challenging context, how do we encourage offenders to open up about their offences, without reinforcing those negative behaviours? In this module, we explore a range of real-world ethical dilemmas facing forensic psychology professionals. Using the ethical standards set out by the British Psychological Society and The Health and Care Professions Council, and the guiding principles of integrity, responsibility, respect, and competence, we explore practical and ethical solutions to serious and challenging practice dilemmas.  

How do we encourage a frightened witness to cooperate with the police? What works best in encouraging a hostile suspect to talk? How do we make courtrooms less intimidating for child witnesses? Gaining accurate and complete accounts from offenders, witnesses and suspects is key to ensuring fair and efficient criminal justice processes. Although this can be a really challenging process, forensic psychology has made huge contributions to understanding how we can achieve the best quality of evidence possible. Here, we explore how forensic psychology continues to aid understanding and practice in the context of police investigations and courtrooms. 

Research is at the heart of forensic psychology and this module equips you with the key skills, knowledge and confidence to design a research project that is ethical, topical, and has the potential to contribute to forensic psychology knowledge and practice. With support from your project supervisor, you will develop your understanding of the research design process, and be empowered to shape your interests and ideas into a formal research proposal. 

Evidence based practice is critical in order to maximise the efficacy of forensic psychology in the real world. The research process requires a range of transferable skills such as evaluation, evidence based argument, data handling and analysis, and communication of complex ideas in a range of formats and to a diverse audience. With the support of a dedicated supervisor, your dissertation project is the opportunity to really develop and display these fundamental skills.