PSYC 370 - Forensic Psychology

3 Credit(s)

Prerequisites: PSYC 103 with a grade of “C” or higher
Surveys the overall intersection of psychology and the American court system. Emphasis will be placed on issues related to clinical psychology/psychiatry in the criminal justice system such as sanity evaluation, criminal profiling and assessment of dangerousness. Students will explore how forensic psychologists have been involved in the jury selection process and have contributed to our understanding, of eyewitness testimony (limitations of memory) and the detection of deceit through the polygraph and other techniques. Finally, students will explore how professionals trained in developmental, organizational, and clinical psychology interact with the court system when they serve as “expert witnesses” in a variety of civil and probate matters.