Psychology in comparative criminal procedure WP-PRZ-mon-piccp
The aim of the course is to develop the knowledge and skills required to critically analyse criminal behaviour from a psychological perspective. Students will learn to examine criminal cases, identify characteristic patterns of offending, and apply fundamental psychological concepts to formulate cautious, evidence-based conclusions about offenders’ motivations and personality characteristics. They will develop the ability to critically assess the potential and limitations of criminal profiling, including the application of the Big Five personality model to the analysis of criminal behaviour. The course will also enable students to examine potential relationships between individual, family, and social factors and offending, taking into account differences between Poland and other countries. Particular emphasis will be placed on distinguishing scientific findings from cultural stereotypes and media portrayals of offenders. Students will also develop their ability to formulate and substantiate their own arguments in English, both in discussion and in the analysis of case studies.
(in Polish) Dyscyplina naukowa, do której odnoszą się efekty uczenia się
(in Polish) E-Learning
(in Polish) Grupa przedmiotów ogólnouczenianych
Course coordinators
(in Polish) Opis nakładu pracy studenta w ECTS
Term 2023/24_Z: (in Polish) • Lecture (30 hours) - 1 ECTS: Participation in discussions and analyses of various topics within criminal psychology.
• Independent Study (30 hours) - 1 ECTS: Reading and reviewing scholarly articles, book chapters, and watching related media content.
• Research Assignments (20 hours) - 1 ECTS: Conducting detailed research projects on specific aspects of criminal psychology, such as profiling or the analysis of demographic factors.
• Preparation for Examination (20 hours) - 1 ECTS: Synthesizing course content for preparation of the final assessment, focusing on comprehensive understanding and application.
| Term 2024/25_Z: (in Polish) • Lecture (30 hours) - 1 ECTS: Participation in discussions and analyses of various topics within criminal psychology.
• Independent Study (30 hours) - 1 ECTS: Reading and reviewing scholarly articles, book chapters, and watching related media content.
• Research Assignments (20 hours) - 1 ECTS: Conducting detailed research projects on specific aspects of criminal psychology, such as profiling or the analysis of demographic factors.
• Preparation for Examination (20 hours) - 1 ECTS: Synthesizing course content for preparation of the final assessment, focusing on comprehensive understanding and application.
| Term 2025/26_Z: (in Polish) • Lecture (30 hours) - 1 ECTS: Participation in discussions and analyses of various topics within criminal psychology.
• Independent Study (30 hours) - 1 ECTS: Reading and reviewing scholarly articles, book chapters, and watching related media content.
• Research Assignments (20 hours) - 1 ECTS: Conducting detailed research projects on specific aspects of criminal psychology, such as profiling or the analysis of demographic factors.
• Preparation for Examination (20 hours) - 1 ECTS: Synthesizing course content for preparation of the final assessment, focusing on comprehensive understanding and application.
| Term 2026/27_Z: Udział w wykładzie / Attendance at lectures (15 h) - 0,5 ECTS
Przygotowanie do zajęć i praca własna, w tym lektura materiałów, analiza przypadków oraz utrwalanie treści wykładu / Preparation for classes and independent study, including reading, case analysis, and revision (75 h) - 2,5 ECTS
Przygotowanie do egzaminu ustnego lub prezentacji wideo / Preparation for the oral examination or video presentation (30 h) - 1 ECTS
Łącznie / Total (120 h) - 4 ECTS |
Subject level
Learning outcome code/codes
Type of subject
Preliminary Requirements
Learning outcomes
W01 The student describes fundamental concepts in criminal psychology, methods of criminal profiling, and selected psychological explanations of criminal behaviour.
W02 The student identifies individual, family, and social factors examined in research on crime and explains the limitations of inferring criminal behaviour from demographic characteristics.
U01 The student analyses criminal cases by identifying offenders’ possible motives, behavioural patterns, and methods of operation on the basis of available information.
U02 The student compares selected psychological theories, applications of the Big Five model, and scientific findings about offenders with their media portrayals, taking Polish and international contexts into account.
K01 The student justifies their position on a selected issue in criminal psychology in English, drawing on arguments and available evidence while acknowledging the limitations of the concepts under discussion.
Assessment criteria
Students choose one of two equivalent assessment formats:
Oral examination – an oral response addressing one of three broad issues in criminal psychology provided by the lecturer. Students present their own position, analyse the selected issue, and substantiate their conclusions using knowledge acquired during the course.
Video presentation – an independently prepared video presentation of approximately three minutes, delivered in English and addressing one of the three issues provided by the lecturer. Students formulate a thesis, draw on selected psychological concepts or criminal cases, and justify their position.
Both formats are assessed according to the same substantive criteria. Assessment focuses on the accurate use of criminal psychology concepts, the application of knowledge to the analysis of a problem or case, the quality of argumentation, critical evaluation of available information, and the coherence and clarity of communication in English (W01, W02, U01, U02, K01). For video presentations, adherence to the time limit and logical organisation are also considered.
Satisfactory (3.0): The student presents basic information about the selected issue, uses at least one relevant concept or example, states a position, and provides supporting reasons. The response may contain some inaccuracies or gaps in argumentation but identifies the main issue and presents an understandable line of reasoning.
Good (4.0): The student uses criminal psychology concepts accurately, applies them to the selected problem or case, presents logical arguments, and draws justified conclusions. The student identifies relevant limitations of the information or concepts examined and communicates in a coherent and understandable manner.
Very good (5.0): The student provides an in-depth and independent analysis, selects psychological concepts and examples appropriately, and critically evaluates the available evidence and the limitations of profiling or psychological explanations. The student formulates a convincing thesis, substantiates it consistently, and presents nuanced conclusions. The English-language response is logical, precise, and well organised.
Intermediate grades (3.5 and 4.5) may be awarded for performance falling between the levels described above. Regardless of the chosen assessment format, students must demonstrate the ability to apply knowledge to the analysis of a problem and independently substantiate their position.
Bibliography
The lecturer provides participants with a digital copy of the textbook (e-book):
Russil Durrant - An Introduction to Criminal Psychology, Routledge 2018
All teaching materials are made available to participants in the Files section of the dedicated team on MS Teams.
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: