Psychology of Criminal Behavior

Catalog description

Topics covered in this course include the nature of criminal behavior, the antisocial personality, psychopathy, the relationship between mental illness and crime, alcoholism and drug abuse, adolescent offenders, female offenders, sex offenders, and white-collar crime. Students will also analyze the various ways in which the criminal justice system processes, treats, and affects different types of offenders. This course will examine the strengths and limitations of different interventions, such as treatment, punishment, and rehabilitation, and consider the implications of psychological research for the development of effective policies and practices within the criminal justice system. Throughout the course, students will engage in critical thinking, discussion, and written assignments to deepen their understanding of the psychological factors underlying criminal behavior and their impact on the criminal justice system.