FPsyc3900_Winter_2025_Lecture_1_Introduction_and_Crime_in_Canada_student

Course Overview

Course Title: Psychology of Criminal Behaviour (FPsyc3900)

Instructor Information:

• Instructor: Dr. Shannon Vettor

• Email: Shannon.Vettor@ontariotechu.ca

• Office: DTC616A, Office hours TBD, by appointment

Teaching Assistants:

• Name: Claudia McArthur

• Email: Claudia.McArthur@ontariotechu.net

Syllabus Highlights

Core Goals:

1. Understanding Criminal Behavior: This course aims to explore criminal behavior through three lenses: theory, research, and practice, thereby providing a comprehensive understanding.

2. Defining Crime: We will analyze various definitions of crime and assess crime trends to grasp the dynamics of criminal activity in contemporary society.

3. Exploring Theories of Criminal Behavior: In-depth discussions will cover various theoretical perspectives that explain criminal behavior, including psychological, sociological, and biological theories.

4. Treatment Approaches: The course will address treatment methodologies for offenders, particularly focusing on special populations such as juveniles, mentally ill offenders, and those with substance abuse issues.

Recommended Textbook

• Title: Psychology of Criminal Behaviour: A Canadian Perspective (3rd Edition)

• Authors: Brown, S., et al.

• Publisher: Pearson Canada (2024)

Lecture Dates and Topics

• Week 1 (Jan 8): Introduction & Crime in Canada

• Week 2 (Jan 15): Theories of Crime: Biological & Evolutionary Explanations

• Week 3 (Jan 22): Theories of Crime: Learning & Environmental Explanations

• Week 4 (Jan 29): Canadian Corrections in Practice

Important Assessment Dates:

• Midterm 1: Feb 5 (Covers lectures 1-4, Chapters 1-4)

• Midterm 2: Mar 12

• Assignment Due: Mar 28

• Final Exam Period: Apr 7-17 (Scheduled by Registrar, covering lectures 8-10, Chapters 5, 6, 9)

Assessment Structure

• Midterms: Two midterms, each worth 22.5% of the final grade (totaling 45%).

• Final Exam: 22.5%

• Assignment: 22.5%

• Floating Marks: 10% allocated for participation and attendance, as well as any in-class activities

Class Goals and Discussion Topics

• Examining Influences on Beliefs about Criminal Behavior:

  • Media Influence: Investigate the role of sensational crimes in shaping public perception and understanding of crime, alongside the impact of selective reporting.

  • Political Influence: Evaluate how statements from justice officials affect societal perceptions of crime and safety.

  • Personal Experience: Discuss the influence of victimization and secondhand accounts on public beliefs about criminals and crime prevalence.

  • Research Evidence: Emphasize the importance of evidence-based conclusions to inform policy and public understanding.

Specific Topics to be Covered:

1. Sensational vs. Typical Crime Reporting:

   • The tendency of sensational stories to lead to public misconceptions regarding crime frequency and characteristics, which can exacerbate societal fears.

2. Defining Crime:

   • Crime as a socially constructed concept with varying definitions that change across cultures, influenced by legal, moral, social, and psychological factors.

   • Case examples will illustrate how different cultures perceive various acts, such as robbery, incest, and drug-related offenses differently.

3. Measuring Crime:

   • The significance of crime measurement in shaping social policies and evaluating the effectiveness of the criminal justice system.

   • Detailed examination of various types of crime rates, including prevalence, incidence, and per capita crime rates.

   • Methods of measuring crime will also be discussed, including official statistics, victim surveys, and self-reports, along with their inherent issues and biases.

Correlates of Crime

• Detailed exploration of the factors associated with criminality, such as socio-economic status, age, gender, personal history, and social environment, to better understand the complexity of criminal behavior.

Final Notes

• The importance of incorporating diverse perspectives on crime is essential for improving understanding and reforming the criminal justice system in Canada.

Chapter 1: Crime in Canada - Notes

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Learning Outcomes

● LO 1.1: Understand how correctional psychology contributes to the study of criminal behaviour.

● LO 1.2: Define key terminology in the study of criminal behaviour.

● LO 1.3: Describe the nature, scope, and impact of crime in Canada.

● LO 1.4: Explain how criminal sanctions are administered in Canada.

● LO 1.5: Explore careers in the field of correctional psychology.

● LO 1.6: Identify a dominant theory of criminal behaviour.

● LO 1.7: Ascertain key methodological concepts in the study of criminal behaviour.

● LO 1.8: Recognize basic assessment and treatment-related themes in correctional psychology.

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Introduction to Crime in Canada

● Case Study: Samir, a 28-year-old incarcerated for armed robbery, highlights typical criminal trajectories: chaotic childhood, poor problem-solving skills, and antisocial influences.

● Media vs. Reality: High-profile crimes dominate media narratives but represent a small fraction of crime. Most crimes are non-violent property crimes, and many convicted individuals receive probation or short sentences.

● Key Question: Are general theories and rehabilitative approaches sufficient, or do specific crimes/groups require specialized interventions?

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Historical and Political Context

1. Get-Tough-On-Crime Era (2006-2015)

○ Stricter laws, such as consecutive parole ineligibility for multiple murders.

○ Increased inmate costs and reduced parole opportunities.

2. Liberal Era (2016-Present)

○ Greater focus on systemic issues (e.g., racial biases, healthcare in prisons).

○ Progressive changes like the Cannabis Act (2018) and decriminalization of small drug possession in BC (2023).

3. Systemic Issues

○ Over-representation of Black and Indigenous populations in prisons.

○ Persistent issues with solitary confinement practices despite court rulings.

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Correctional Psychology and Criminal Behaviour (LO 1.1)

● Focus on Individual Differences: Examines intra-individual (across time) and inter-individual (between groups) differences.

● Psychology vs. Sociology: Psychology uses a "microscope" approach (individual focus), while sociology adopts a broader "telescopic" view (group focus).

● Comprehensive Understanding: Integrates both individual and societal perspectives to explain criminal behaviour.

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Key Terminology in Criminal Behaviour (LO 1.2)

● Definitions of Crime: Legal, moral, social, and psychological perspectives influence what is considered criminal.

● Person-First Language: Terms like "justice-impacted person" replace stigmatizing labels such as "offender."

● Working Definition: Crime is intentional behaviour that violates a criminal code (Bartol & Bartol, 2017).

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The Nature and Scope of Crime in Canada (LO 1.3)

1. Crime Trends:

○ Crime rates peaked in 1992, declined steadily until 2015, then rose slightly before decreasing during COVID.

○ Property crimes dominate; violent crimes account for only 24% of police-reported incidents.

2. Crime Funnel:

○ Of 2.2M police-reported incidents (2020), only ~8.5% led to provincial sentences, and <1% to federal imprisonment.

3. Youth Crime:

○ Declining since 1991. Most common charges involve theft and failure to comply with court orders.

4. International Context:

○ Canada’s incarceration rate (104/100,000) is higher than the European median (90/100,000) but far lower than the U.S. (639/100,000).

5. Victimization Surveys:

○ Highlight underreporting: only 6% of sexual assaults are reported. Indigenous and marginalized groups face disproportionately high victimization rates.

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Administration of Criminal Sanctions (LO 1.4)

1. Jurisdiction:

○ Provincial/Territorial: Sentences <2 years, community supervision, and young offenders.

○ Federal: Sentences ≥2 years in federal prisons.

2. Cost:

○ $120,529/year to incarcerate one person; $32,037/year for community supervision.

3. Facilities:

○ ~150 institutions, including healing lodges and gender-specific facilities.

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Careers in Correctional Psychology (LO 1.5)

1. Career Options:

○ Clinical psychologist, government researcher, correctional officer, parole/probation officer, professor.

○ Figure 1.6 outlines required degrees and salary ranges.

2. Profiles:

○ Examples include correctional officers, parole officers, psychologists, and professors.

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Theories of Criminal Behaviour (LO 1.6)

1. General Personality and Cognitive Social Learning (GPCSL) Model:

○ Crime results from situational factors (temptations, stressors) and personal influences (attitudes, history).

○ Integrative model considers community, interpersonal, personal, and reward factors.

2. Meta-Analysis:

○ Aggregates research to identify trends and effect sizes.

○ AUC (area under the curve) is a common metric for predictive accuracy.

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Methodology and Concepts (LO 1.7)

1. Risk Factors:

○ Central Eight: Seven dynamic (e.g., antisocial attitudes, substance misuse) and one static (criminal history) factors.

○ Minor factors (e.g., self-esteem, mental health) are non-criminogenic.

2. Research Design:

○ Longitudinal studies identify risk factors; randomized controlled trials assess causality.

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Assessment and Treatment (LO 1.8)

1. Risk-Need-Responsivity (RNR) Model:

○ Risk Principle: Match intervention to risk level.

○ Need Principle: Address criminogenic needs.

○ Responsivity Principle: Tailor interventions to individual traits (e.g., culture, gender).

2. Protective Factors:

○ Positive attributes (e.g., prosocial supports) reduce reoffending risk.

3. Case Study - Samir:

○ High-risk offender needing intensive CBT-focused programming.

○ Target criminogenic needs like problem-solving skills and substance misuse.

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Conclusion

Chapter 1 establishes a foundational understanding of crime in Canada, emphasizing correctional psychology’s role in assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation. By exploring theories, methodologies, and practical applications, the chapter provides a comprehensive framework for addressing criminal behaviour and enhancing public safety.