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This course is a broad overview of the intersection between psychology and the law, with a focus on how psychological scientific principles can be applied to real-world issues in the criminal justice system. This course draws on contemporary research in cognition, perception and behaviour to explore topics within the legal system, such as offending, risk assessment, eyewitness memory, detection of deception, false confessions, forensic science decision-making, jury deliberation, and mental health and crime.
Develop an interdisciplinary understanding of the intersection between psychology and the legal system, exploring how psychological principles and research inform legal practices and vice versa.Cultivate analytical skills to critically assess legal issues through a psychological lens, enabling a nuanced perspective on various aspects of the criminal justice system.Enhance scientific literacy within the context of the legal system, enabling the evaluation of scientific evidence, methods, and principles as they apply to legal decision-making.Apply fundamental psychological concepts to examine biases, decision-making processes, and individual behaviour within legal frameworks, fostering a deeper understanding of the psychological underpinnings of legal phenomena.Cultivate ethical decision-making skills relevant to the legal context, exploring the ethical implications of psychological practices and interventions within the criminal justice system.Develop cultural competence to navigate diverse perspectives within legal settings, recognizing the impact of cultural factors on legal processes and outcomes.Integrate research methodologies with practical applications, emphasizing the importance of ongoing research to inform and improve practices within the legal and psychological domains.
PSYC105 and PSYC106
Please note that the 2026 timetable has not been finalised.
Scheduled days and times will be confirmed, following review, on 15th October.
Students must attend one activity from each section.
Bethany Growns
Howitt, D; Introduction to Forensic and Criminal Psychology ; 6th; Pearson, 2018.
Miller, M. K., Yelderman, L.A., Huss, M.T., & Cantone, J.A; The Cambridge Handbook of Psychology and Legal Decision-making ; Cambridge University Press, 2024.
There are no required textbooks for this course. Assigned readings for lectures/labs will be provided online via LEARN.
Domestic fee $1,099.00
International fee $5,388.00
* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.
For further information see School of Psychology, Speech and Hearing .