{"id":20447,"date":"2016-07-29T15:18:14","date_gmt":"2016-07-29T19:18:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/fass\/?p=20447"},"modified":"2024-08-09T07:42:18","modified_gmt":"2024-08-09T11:42:18","slug":"forensic-psychology-coming-computer-near","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/fass\/2016\/forensic-psychology-coming-computer-near\/","title":{"rendered":"Forensic Psychology: Coming to a Computer Near You"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\n Forensic Psychology: Coming to a Computer Near You\n <\/h1>\n \n \n <\/header>\n\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n

A program unlike any other. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Are you interested in delving into the minds of psychopaths or learning about lie detectors? Do you want to know how and what police are able to remember after a critical incident? Or, what are the most effective treatment programs to reduce offending? If so, you will be delighted to learn that the study of Forensic Psychology at Carleton University has gone online.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With a variety of new web-based courses in a program unlike any other, Carleton students are able to learn about the application of psychology pertaining to the justice system from the comfort of their own personal crime labs…or bedrooms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Forensic Psychology<\/a> at Carleton University has twenty years of impressive experience. Faculty have collaborated with the FBI, the RCMP, the National Parole Board, The Singapore Prison Service, and many civic police units.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Forensic Psychology courses are some of the most in demand classes at Carleton, and one of the Department of Psychology\u2019s<\/a> largest areas of research. In fact, the Introduction to Forensic Psychology course (PSYC 2400), which is now available as an online course, typically boasts upwards of a thousand students, making it Psychology\u2019s second most popular course after Introductory Psychology (PSYC 1001 which also happens to be available online).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cKeeping up with the demand for our Introduction to Forensic Psychology course has been a struggle,\u201d said Professor Joanna Pozzulo, Chair of the Department of Psychology. \u201cDue to its popularity, we\u2019ve had issues finding enough instructors and classrooms to accommodate upwards of a thousand and more students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBut now, with an online version launched for the first time in Winter 2016, we are able to provide a way for an unlimited number of students with an interest in the criminal justice system, from a psychological perspective, to take the course. This is just one of several new online courses (e.g., Organizational Psychology, PSYC 2801 and Sports Psychology PSYC 3301) we have added to our foundation of Introduction to Psychology in order to give students options.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Generally, the study of Forensic Psychology features the empirical and theoretical analysis of criminal behaviour, correctional psychology (including institutional and community corrections), psychology and law (including, sentencing, eyewitness testimony, jury decision making, and legislation), victim services, police psychology, and the design, and the delivery and evaluation of prevention and treatment programs for youth and adult offenders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to Introduction to Forensic Psychology, both Criminal Behaviour (PSYC 3402), and Police Psychology (PSYC 4402) will become available online in 2017 and more online Forensic Psychology course options will be coming in 2018.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In recent years, the Department of Psychology has put a great deal of effort towards their online coursework.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe want the experience of taking an online course to be comparable to taking it \u2018live,\u2019\u201d explained Pozzulo. \u201cThe Department of Psychology has established an \u2018Online Committee\u2019 to ensure that we are using best practices for online learning and that the learning objectives and outcomes are the same between our online and live versions.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Through these Forensic Psychology courses, students will achieve an understanding of the application of psychology to the justice\/legal system and an expertise to design and evaluate research in the field. They will also acquire the communication and consultation skills necessary to express and apply findings to diverse groups in a variety of settings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Students will be taught by some of the most revered Forensic Psychology faculty with international reputations who conduct their research under the umbrella of the Forensic Psychology Research Centre (FPRC) at Carleton University. Faculty at Carleton working in this area include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Joanna Pozzulo<\/strong><\/a>, Chair of the Department of Psychology, strives to understand how memory works in the applied context of witnessing crime as a function of age. On an applied level, Dr. Pozzulo is interested in developing appropriate police procedures to be used with child witnesses. As a secondary line of research, she ventures into understanding how identification testimony in combination with other types of evidence influences jury decision-making. Dr. Pozzulo teaches a first-year seminar examining psychology and the criminal justice system (FYSM1307).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Craig Bennell<\/strong><\/a>, who works closely with the Ottawa Police and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police explores how psychology can contribute to various police activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Bennell teaches Police Psychology (PSYC 4402) and Introduction to Forensic Psychology (PSYC 2400).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Shelley Brown<\/strong><\/a>, has a current program of research dedicated to understanding female offending using integrated approaches. Dr. Brown teaches Criminal Behavior (PSYC4402) and a Female Offenders course (PSYC 4404).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Adelle Forth<\/strong><\/a>, assesses and researches the psychopathic personality and prediction of general and violent recidivism. Dr. Forth teaches Introduction to Forensic Psychology (PSYC 2400).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Kevin Nunes<\/strong><\/a>, works on the conceptualization and measurement of cognitions (e.g., attitudes, stereotypes, beliefs, expectancies, etc.) thought to be relevant to sexual and nonsexual violent behavior, and the role these cognitions may play in violent behaviour, such as rape, child molestation, and nonsexual violence. His main goal is to contribute to scientific knowledge about the causes of violence, which is the foundation of effective and efficient assessment and intervention aimed at managing and reducing violence. Dr. Nunes teaches an Honours Seminar in Forensic Psychology (PSYC3400) and a Sex Offenders course (PSYC 4404).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Ralph Serin<\/strong><\/a>, looks at the interface between psychology and criminal justice. His research interests focus on decision-making and correctional programming. The former considers correctional and parole decision-making, with an emphasis on models to improve standardization and research regarding accuracy. The latter work encompasses assessment of treatment readiness and treatment needs; measurement of programming gains; and pathways to desistance; all with a view to understanding differential outcomes. Dr. Serin teaches Criminal Behaviour (PSYC 3402).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Julie Blais<\/strong><\/a>, who is the Department of Psychology\u2019s newest faculty member, is interested in research on the development and appropriate use of risk assessment scales and integrating research and practice more effectively. As a second line of research, she also is interested in the specific use of psychopathy within the Criminal Justice System and the underlying assumptions that explain the increased use of psychopathy. Dr. Blais teaches a first year seminar on psychology and criminal justice (FYSM 1307).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As Forensic Psychology continues to grow as an in demand discipline, the Department of Psychology aspires to answer these calls by offering a diversity of educational options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cLooking down the road, we have an eye toward being able to offer a suite of online courses in the domain of forensic psychology that may lead to a stand alone certificate that would be available to students anywhere,\u201d said Pozzulo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Learn more about Forensic Psychology <\/a>at Carleton University<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Watch a video on Forensic Psychology at Carleton University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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