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General Psychology and Law

Study Course Description

Course Description Statuss:Approved
Course Description Version:8.00
Study Course Accepted:02.02.2024 12:30:06
Study Course Information
Course Code:JF_032LQF level:Level 6
Credit Points:2.00ECTS:3.00
Branch of Science:Law; Civil RightsTarget Audience:Juridical Science
Study Course Supervisor
Course Supervisor:Ilze Ušacka
Study Course Implementer
Structural Unit:Faculty of Social Sciences
The Head of Structural Unit:
Contacts:Dzirciema street 16, Rīga, szfatrsu[pnkts]lv
Study Course Planning
Full-Time - Semester No.1
Lectures (count)10Lecture Length (academic hours)2Total Contact Hours of Lectures20
Classes (count)6Class Length (academic hours)2Total Contact Hours of Classes12
Total Contact Hours32
Part-Time - Semester No.1
Lectures (count)4Lecture Length (academic hours)2Total Contact Hours of Lectures8
Classes (count)1Class Length (academic hours)2Total Contact Hours of Classes2
Total Contact Hours10
Study course description
Preliminary Knowledge:
Philosophy of Law, Logic.
Objective:
Introduce students to psychology as science, its application and promote the use of that knowledge in legal practice. Promote, detect and understand the peculiarities, processes, states and characteristics of the psyche development of adult, mentally healthy people. Develop awareness of these phenomena, which would help to successfully organise communication in the area of legal awareness and legal action.
Topic Layout (Full-Time)
No.TopicType of ImplementationNumberVenue
1Legal psychology. Research methods in general and legal psychology. Personality. Personality research methods.Lectures1.00auditorium
2The beginnings of psychology. Psychology as science, the subject of its research, division and directions.Lectures1.00auditorium
3Psychology of communication. Non-verbal language.Classes2.00auditorium
4Cultural aspects in psychology. Multicultural environment and globalisation. Psychology of communication.Lectures1.00auditorium
5ndividual typological characteristics of personality: temperament, character, abilities and talent. Emotions and willpower of personality: feelings and emotions, willpower. Factors influencing personal activity: needs, motives and motivation.Lectures2.00auditorium
6Debate and discussion as an element of communication, persuasion, its role in public speaking.Lectures1.00auditorium
Classes1.00auditorium
7Cognitive activity of personality: feelings and perceptions, memory, attention, thinking and speech, imagination and creativity.Lectures2.00auditorium
8Personality development. Personality development crises.Lectures2.00auditorium
9Group psychology. Correctional psychology. Psychology of violence. Victimology.Classes1.00auditorium
10Cognitive activity of personality: attention, feelings and perceptions, memory, thinking and speech, imagination and creativity. Emotions and willpower of personality: feelings and emotions, willpower. Factors influencing the activity of personality: needs, motives and motivation.Classes2.00auditorium
Topic Layout (Part-Time)
No.TopicType of ImplementationNumberVenue
1Legal psychology. Research methods in general and legal psychology. Personality. Personality research methods.Lectures1.00auditorium
2The beginnings of psychology. Psychology as science, the subject of its research, division and directions.Lectures1.00auditorium
7Cognitive activity of personality: feelings and perceptions, memory, attention, thinking and speech, imagination and creativity.Lectures1.00auditorium
8Personality development. Personality development crises.Lectures1.00auditorium
10Cognitive activity of personality: attention, feelings and perceptions, memory, thinking and speech, imagination and creativity. Emotions and willpower of personality: feelings and emotions, willpower. Factors influencing the activity of personality: needs, motives and motivation.Classes1.00auditorium
Assessment
Unaided Work:
1. Scientific Report. Topics for reports: 1. History of the development of legal psychology. 2. Psychology of Lying. 3. Criminal personality, its formation problems. 4. Psychological aspects of the activities of the prosecutor (judge, police officer, advocate). 5. Motivation for criminal behaviour. 6. The role of a psychologist in criminal proceedings. 7. Psychological aspects and problems in the work of the lawyer. 8. Application of psychological techniques in the interrogation process. 9. Psychological portrait of the judge (prosecutor, lawyer, advocate). 10. Psychological aspects of the use of polygraph. 11. Psychological motives of criminal offences. 12. Psychological aspects underlying formation of a criminal personality. 13. Psychological aspects of imposing punishment for criminal offences. 14. Psychological characterisation of criminal sub-culture in Latvia. 15. Psychological profile of a female offender. 16. Psychological aspects of juvenile delinquency. 17. Psychological problems of terrorism. 18. Psychological characteristics of the victim. 19. Psychological aspects of legal conflict resolution. Other topics may also be included; they only have to be agreed in advance with the lecturer. 2nd option: collection and analysis of the life story of a person who has committed a criminal offence. P.S. Group work is also possible. The report should be submitted by the date of examination. Plagiarism is unacceptable. In order to evaluate the quality of the study course as a whole, the student must fill out the study course evaluation questionnaire on the Student Portal.
Assessment Criteria:
Requirements for successful course completion: 1. Active participation in all practical classes is mandatory. 2. Missed practical classes should be covered. 3. During the course, students must complete all their homework. 4. During the course, students must write a scientific report on the topic chosen. 5. The course is completed by a written examination. The final mark for the course consists of: Attendance: 10%. Homework: 20%. Mark for the report: 30%. Mark for the examination: 40%.
Final Examination (Full-Time):Exam (Written)
Final Examination (Part-Time):Exam (Written)
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge:Upon completion of the study course, students are familiar with general concepts of psychology and their relationship with other sectors; they have acquired knowledge of personality psychology; they can analyse basic problems and facts, know terminology, are aware of, understand and know basic theories and processes in psychology, and critically evaluate theories within contemporary context.
Skills:On completion of the study course, students use various terminology of psychology and compare theories, use cognitive and practical skills acquired during the course to carry out professional tasks and address research problems in legal psychology.
Competencies:Upon completion of the study course, students are competent in theories of psychology; they have acquired some skills of self-analysis.
Bibliography
No.Reference
Required Reading
1Psiholoģija. 2.daļa. Red.-A.Miltuze & K.Mārtinsone. R: Zvaigzne, 2015
2Karpova Ā. Personība: teorija un to rādītāji. R.: Zvaigzne ABC, 1998
3Jungs K.G. Psiholoģiskie tipi. R.: Zvaigzne, 1993
4Adlers A. Psiholoģija un dzīve. R.: 1992
5Reņģe V. Psiholoģija. Personības psiholoģiskās teorijas. R.: Zvaigzne ABC, 1999
6Reņģe V. Sociālā psiholoģija. R.: Zvaigzne ABC, 2002
7Vorobjovs A. Sociālā psiholoģija. R.: Izglītības soļi, 2002
8Berbs L., Ruso N. Psiholoģija 3.daļa. R.: RaKa, 2001
9Liebert R.M., Spiegel M.D. Personality: strategies and issues. 6th ed. Brocks/ Cole Publishing company, Pacific Grove, California
10Pīzs A. Ķermeņa valoda. R.: Jumava, 2006
Additional Reading
1Freids Z. Psihoanalīzes nozīme un vēsture. Lielvārds: Lielvārds, 1994
2Freids Z. Totēms un tabu. R.: Minerva, 1995
3Jungs K.G. Dvēseles pasaule. R.: Spektrs, 1994
4Šuvajevs I. Dzīļu psiholoģija. R.: Zvaigzne ABC, 2002
5Eriksons E.H. Identitāte: jaunība un krīze. R.: Jumava, 1998
6Froms Ē. Mīlestības māksla. R.: Jumava, 1994
7Хьелл Л., Зиглер Д. Теории личности. СПб: Питер Пресс, 1997
8Майерс Д. Социальная психология. СПб: Питер, 1996