Legal, Forensic and Criminological Psychology

The Forensic Neuropsychology course aims at examining the effect of cerebral lesions on cognitive, affective and social behaviors and the implications of these effects for juridical, forensic and criminological disciplines. The general objectives will be achieved by articulating the course in three main sections. The first will revolve about the main neuroscientific tools and methodologies that have the potential of influences juridical, forensic and criminological research. The second will revolve around the main aspects of human behaviour (and their alterations consequent to brain lesions) of relevance for juridical, forensic and criminological science (e.g. social decision making, morality, conformity to social norms). The third will revolve around the critical discussion of the most advanced practices in juridical, forensic and criminological profession. Specific objectives (see section 2.2.) will be achieved through a variety of teaching methods that includes. : i) face-to-face lectures; ii) simulations of ‘real’ situations (also thanks to immersive virtual reality) ; iii) seminars of experts in the field of clinical neuropsychology and juridical, forensic and criminological science. Knowledge and understanding Students will acquire knowledges about the current debate concerning the epistemological foundations of forensic neuropsychology, an emerging research field at the interface between clinical neuropsychology (i.e. the study of the behavioural consequences of cerebral lesions) and juridical disciplines. Applying knowledge and understanding Students will be able to develop general skills that allow them to apply neuroscientific and neuropsychological knowledge in juridical, forensic and criminological. Making judgements A fundamental aspect of the course is that all the students have to comment on the overview provided by the teacher on each class. This approach will induce students to search for explanations and alternative interpretations of theoretical and empirical contributions of specialty and not only general literature. Communication skills The course will include collegial discussion of scientific articles to which each student has to participate. This approach will lead the students to evaluate the impact their communication skills and improve them through the interactions with peers and the supervisor Learning skills Students will be able to read and critically discuss scientific papers concerning specific topics at the intersection between neuropsychology and forensic psychology. Thus, it will be required the ability to learn complex notions concerning specialty topics.