Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2024 - PSYC 376 OL01

Experimental Psychology and Law (3)

Class Number: 5222

Delivery Method: Online

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Online

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Dec 15, 2024
    Sun, 3:30–5:00 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    PSYC 201W and PSYC 268. Recommended: PSYC 210.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

The roles of experimental developmental, cognitive, and social psychology in the understanding of behaviour and perceptions of individuals in legal contexts. Topics include eyewitness testimony, autobiographical memory, interviewing, deception detection, and juror decision-making.

COURSE DETAILS:

Only in the past 30 years or so have very young children been admitted as witnesses in criminal court. Prior to that, there was an assumption that children are inherently unreliable witnesses and could not be trusted to provide accurate testimony. Psychological research has discredited this unqualified assumption. Today, even very young children are involved in the criminal legal system. In the first seven units of this course, students will learn about pretrial issues related to children’s allegations of maltreatment, from disclosure to interviewing children in a forensic context. In the final six units, students will learn about the challenges associated with in-court testimony and accommodations that have been put in place encourage a full and accurate report from children.

Grading

  • On-line Self Introduction (MANDATORY): 0%
  • Reflection Posts: 10%
  • Responses to Others' Posts: 5%
  • Weekly Quizzes: 20%
  • Mid-term Exam: 30%
  • Final Exam: 35%
  • The grading breakdown is tentative and will be confirmed in the first week of class.

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

There is no required textbook for this course.

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity website http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the university community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the university. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the university. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.