Course Syllabus

Psychology of Criminal Behavior

Description of Course

This course is designed for students who wish to deepen their understanding of the psychological factors underlying criminal behavior.

Through the analysis of real-world criminal cases, students will apply theoretical perspectives to explore why and under what circumstances individuals engage in criminal activity.

Key areas of study include personality, genetic predisposition, social influences, psychopathology, and environmental and cultural factors, providing a comprehensive framework for understanding the complexity of criminal behavior.

Learning Objectives

The students should gain the ability to:

• Explain major psychological theories related to criminal behavior
• Analyze criminal cases using multiple theoretical perspectives
• Evaluate the role of biological, psychological, and social factors in crime
• Identify patterns and risk factors associated with criminal activity
• Critically assess how environmental and cultural contexts influence behavior

Faculty

Josefine Sandau Nymand

Aut.cand.psych, University of Copenhagen, 2017. Crisis psychologist, 2018-present. Psychologist, The Danish National Police, 2018-2020. With DIS since 2023

Rasmus Sandau Christensen 

MA in Adult Learning and Competence Development, Aarhus University, 2022, Diploma of Education in Youth and Adult Learning Processes,  University College Copenhagen, 2019, and educated police officer from the Danish Police Academy, 2007). With DIS since 2026

Readings

Textbook

HANEY, C. (2020). Criminality in Context: The Psychological Foundations of Criminal Justice Reform. American Psychological Association. 

Readings

Bertelsen, P. (2015). Danish preventive measures and de-radicalization strategies: The Aarhus model. Panorama: Insights into Asian and European Affairs, 1(241), 53.

Boutwell, B. B., Nelson, E. J., Qian, Z., Vaughn, M. G., Wright, J. P., Beaver, K. M., ... & Rosenfeld, R. (2017). Aggregate-level lead exposure, gun violence, homicide, and rape. PloS one, 12(11).

Rosie Cornish, Iain Brennan, Exclusion from School and Risk of Serious Violence: A Target Trial Emulation Study, The British Journal of Criminology, 2025;, azaf015, https://doi.org/10.1093/bjc/azaf015

Cuadrado, E., Tabernero, C., Hidalgo-Muñoz, A. R., Luque, B., & Castillo-Mayén, R. (2021). The Arousal Effect of Exclusionary and Inclusionary Situations on Social Affiliation Motivation and Its Subsequent Influence on Prosocial Behavior. Frontiers in psychology, 12, 594440. 

DeMatteo, D., Edens, J. F., Galloway, M., Cox, J., Smith, S. T., Koller, J. P., & Bersoff, B. (2014). Investigating the role of the Psychopathy Checklist–Revised in United States case law. Psychology, Public Policy, and Law, 20(1), 96.

Gomez & Vazguez (2015). The power of ‘feeling one’ with a group: identity
fusion and extreme pro-group behaviours. Revista de Psicología Social,  30 (3), 481-511. 

Litton, P. (2018). Traumatic Brain Injury and a Divergence between Moral and Criminal Responsibility. Duq. L. Rev., 56, 35.

Manuel, C., & Jørgensen, A. M. K. (2013). Systematic review of youth crime prevention interventions. SFI.

Markowitz (2011): Mental illness, crime, and violence: Risk, context, and social control. In: Aggression and Violent Behavior 16 (2011) 36–44.

Munkner, R. Et al. (2009) Registered criminality and sanctioning of schizophrenia patients in: Nordic Journal of Psychiatry 863 (6) 485-492

Restivo, E., & Lanier, M. M. (2015). Measuring the Contextual Effects and Mitigating Factors of Labeling Theory. Justice Quarterly, 32(1), 116–141.

Yukhnenko, D., Sridhar, S., & Fazel, S. (2020). A systematic review of criminal recidivism rates worldwide: 3-year update. Welcome open research, 4, 28.

Zembroski, D. (2011). Sociological Theories of Crime and Delinquency. Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment, 21(3), 240–254. 

Field Studies

Gadens Stemmer  

Gadens Stemmer is a social enterprise offering unique walking tours led by guides who are true experts on the street. They provide an in-depth look into their lives and experiences shaped by substance abuse, homelessness, crime, and much more.

https://www.gadensstemmer.dk

Mentorplan

Mentorplan is a Danish social services organization that works to support individuals especially young people and adults in overcoming personal, social, and employment-related challenges. Founded in 2016, the company provides tailored mentoring and support programmes aimed at helping people achieve stable, long-term positive change in their lives.

https://www.mentorplan.dk

 

Guest Lectures

Anne Okkels Birk, MA in political science, University of Aarhus, 1997. Diploma in Criminology, University of Copenhagen, 2007. Lecturer at DIS in the courses Criminology & Criminal Justice in Scandinavia and Gang Crime in Scandinavia.

• Topic: Gangs and radicalization.

Kristoffer Juul Paaske, Ms in psychology, 2014. Has worked in different forensic contexts, among others in the Herstedvester Prison with people involved in violent crimes and sexual offences. 

• Topic: Forensic psychological evaluation and treatment.

 

Approach to Teaching

Throughout the course, we will work with a range of case studies that allow us to explore different perspectives on the implications, consequences, treatment, and prevention of criminal behavior. By applying psychological and criminological theories to real-life cases and personal narratives, we will deepen our understanding of the central question: “Why do people offend?”

A significant portion of the course will involve collaborative group work, where each group focuses on a specific perspective within the psychology of criminal behavior. Field studies, including visits to relevant institutions, will provide empirical insight. These experiences will be complemented by guest speakers with expertise in areas such as forensic psychology, gang-related criminality, crime prevention, and police education in Denmark.

The course is grounded in critical reflection, dialogue, and debate. Together, we will foster an inclusive learning environment where everyone can participate with curiosity, share reflections, and ask questions openly.

 

Expectations of the Students

As a student your are expected to participate actively during class and field studies. Apart from asking questions, participating in discussions and offering critical reflections on the topics, students are expected to consider how their contributions affect the overall work climate in class

Be punctual for class and field studies.

Show respect for and attempt to understand other people’s viewpoints and experiences, whether this be other students or guest lecturers and people encountered on field studies

 

Evaluation

Attendance and Participation (15%)

Attendance is mandatory, except for serious illness or participation in religious holidays.

If you must miss a class:

• Please inform us as soon as possible (latest on the day of the absence) and
• It is your responsibility to find out what you have missed, so be sure to get the notes and any information from a classmate as soon as possible.

Active participation, questions and discussion are important and expected during class as well as during Field Studies. Please arrive several minutes before class begins. It is very distracting when students arrive late, you lose important information by missing the opening minutes, and it is especially rude if we have guest speakers.

Please plan ahead so that you leave plenty of time to get to class on time. Several tardies will affect your participation and attendance grade.

 

Case study podcast (25%)

This case study explores criminal behaviour through the real case of Gisele Pelicot, a victim in a widely reported abuse case in France. The case involves repeated drugging and sexual assault by her husband and others over several years, raising important questions about why individuals commit serious crimes and how such acts can be socially enabled. You will critically analyse this case to understand the psychological, social, and structural factors that contribute to offending behaviour. You will work in 4 groups to produce an analytical podcast (maximum 15 minutes) answering the central question: “Why do people offend?” Each group will explore the case using one or more psychological theories of criminal behaviour and may incorporate different levels of analysis.

Case study & Presentation (20%)

In this assignment, you will analyze selected cases from the documentary Diabolical: Epstein Files

The purpose of this assignment is to examine why individuals commit crimes by applying psychological and criminological theories at different levels of analysis. Each group will present it's analysis for the whole class. 

Reflective essay & peer review (25%)

As part of this course, you participated in a field study consisting of a guided city walk led by individuals from gadens stemmer, who draw on their lived experiences of life on the streets. The narratives presented during the walk addressed issues that provided a unique opportunity to explore the psychology of criminal behavior within real-life contexts.

The purpose of this reflective essay is to critically analyze your field study experience through the lens of psychological theories of criminal behavior. You should explore how individual behavior, decision-making, and life trajectories are influenced by psychological processes in interaction with social environments.

 

Grading

Assignment	Percent
Attendance	15%
Reflective Essay	25%
Case study & Presentation	20%
Group podcast	25%
Participation: quizzes, class discussions and group work	15%

Academic Accommodations

Your learning experience in this class is important to us.  If you have approved academic accommodations with DIS, please make sure that we receive your DIS accommodations letter on the first days of class. If you can think of other ways we can support your learning, please don't hesitate to talk to us. If you have any further questions about your academic accommodations, contact Academic Support academicsupport@dis.dk

Policies

Attendance

You are expected to attend all classes, guest lectures, workshops and field studies. If you must miss a class for religious holidays, medical reasons, or other valid reasons, you must let us know as far in advance as possible of the absence and obtain information about the work you must do to keep up in class. If you miss a class for any other reason (sudden illness, family emergency, etc.), you should get in touch with us as soon as possible and arrange to make up the work missed.

It is crucial for your learning that you stay on task and hand in assignments on or before the due date. All work– including in-class projects – have to be completed in order to pass the class. Late papers or projects will be marked down with 1/3 of a grade for each day it is late.

Academic Honesty

Plagiarism and Violating the Rules of an Assignment

DIS expects that students abide by the highest standards of intellectual honesty in all academic work. DIS assumes that all students do their own work and credit all work or thought taken from others.   

Academic dishonesty will result in a final course grade of “F” and can result in dismissal. The students’ home universities will be notified. DIS reserves the right to request that written student assignments be turned in electronic form for submission to plagiarism detection software.  See the Academic Handbook for more information, or ask your instructor if you have questions.

Policy on late papers: Late essays will be accepted for up to 3 days after the deadline, but the grade for the paper will be reduced by half a grade for each day that it is late.

Policy for students who arrive late to class: Students who are repeatedly late for class will receive a lower participation grade.

Use of laptops or phones in class: Students, who use their laptop for reasons not related to class, will have their class participation grade reduced significantly. Use of telephone is not allowed outside of breaks. For some lessons, laptop use may be banned completely.  

Academic Regulations  

Please make sure to read the Academic Regulations on the DIS website. There you will find regulations on: 

• Course Enrollment and Grading 
• Academic Expectations and Honor Code