UO The Psychology of Crime and Violence

Undergraduate | 2026

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area/catalogue icon
Area/Catalogue
CRIM 3005
Course ID icon
Course ID
203356
Level of study
Level of study
Undergraduate
Unit value icon
Unit value
6
Course level icon
Course level
3
Study abroad and student exchange icon
Inbound study abroad and exchange
Inbound study abroad and exchange
The fee you pay will depend on the number and type of courses you study.
Yes
University-wide elective icon
University-wide elective course
Yes
Single course enrollment
Single course enrolment
Yes
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Note:
Course data is interim and subject to change

Course overview

This course aims to develop students' ability to critically analyse the causes of and responses to violent crime using psychological perspectives. In this course students will critically analyse psychological approaches to crime and violence using case studies and research to evaluate the role of psychology in explaining and responding to violent crime. Students will apply psychological theories to better understand the causes of crimes such as drug crime, interpersonal violence, homicide and mass violence. Students will analyse criminal profiling techniques and the use of psychology in the courtroom in areas including eyewitness testimony, forensic reports and jury selection.

Course learning outcomes

  • Apply psychological theories to explain the causes of crime and violence
  • Analyse case studies of violent crime
  • Critique psychological research studies on crime and violence
  • Debate the relative influence of social and psychological factors on the commission of crime and violence
  • Evaluate the application of psychology to the investigation and prosecution of violent crime

Prerequisite(s)

N/A

Corequisite(s)

N/A

Antirequisite(s)

N/A