07291 - Legal Psychology

Learning outcomes

Main goal is to examine the application of psychology to security and investigation in a psychosocial perspective. Participants will improve their knowledges on investigative psychology, will acquire skills in the literature search and data collection on forensic psychology tests, will imrpve their communication skills in the interaction with law enforcement and eyewitnesses.

Course contents

Investigative psychology and police psychology.

The memory

Eyewitness testimony.

Cognitive interview.

Deception

Lie detection.

Interrogation techniques.

Public order and crowd behavior.

Mental disorders.

Paraphilias.

Suicide

Prostitution

Stereotype, prejudice and discrimination: homophobia

"Hate crimes"

Violence in Italy

Social psychology of aggression and deviance

Reaserch methodology in social psychology

Psychological autopsy and criminal profiling

Readings/Bibliography

Written exam

Caso L. & Vrij A. (2009). L'interrogatorio giudiziario e l'intervista investigativa. Bologna: il Mulino

Patrizi P. & De Gregorio E. (2009). Fondamenti di psicologia giuridica. Un approccio psicologico-sociale. Bologna: il Mulino

Oral exam, choose another book among the following:

Pietrantoni L., Prati G. (2009). Psicologia dell'emergenza. Bologna: Il Mulino.
Prati G., Pietrantoni L., Buccoliero E., Maggi M. (2009). Il bullismo omofobico. Manuale teorico-pratico per insegnanti e operatori. Milano: Franco Angeli.
Zani B., & Cicognani E. (a cura di) (1999). Le vie del benessere. Eventi di vita e strategie di coping. Roma: Carocci.
Stracciari A., Bianchi A., Sartori G. (2010). Neuropsicologia forense. Bologna: Il Mulino.

Zani B. (a cura di). Sentirsi in/sicuri in città. Bologna: il Mulino.

 

Teaching methods

Frontal teaching. Some lectures of experts will be included in the classes. 

Assessment methods

The final evaluation will consist in a written exam with closed and open ended questions aimed to assess the student's knowledge regarding the topics included in the textbook or discussed in class. Oral examination is not mandatory.

Teaching tools

 

Office hours

See the website of Gabriele Prati