Course overview
Explore the impact of psychological phenomena on justice outcomes from a truly interdisciplinary perspective. We’ll also examine how manipulations and misconceptions work; and how to use psychology to improve justice.
Who this course is for
- What human mind weaknesses/glitches can interfere with justice outcomes?
- Why are biases so prevalent in the justice process – including in stops and searches, eyewitness misidentifications, client representation and judgements – and how do these biases work?
- How can a justice stakeholder use scientific knowledge to minimise the impact of psychological influences on their own decisions and that of others?
If you're interested in examining these questions in a small group, interactive format then this course is for you.
You'll explore the following questions:
- What conscious and unconscious processes affect outcomes/decisions?
- How does unreliable (but widespread) ‘knowledge’ about human behaviour lead to injustice?
- What key manipulations interfere with the justice process and how?
- Why do we categorise individuals into groups, and why this is harmful to justice?
- What findings on human behaviour are essential for all professionals involved in the justice process?
- Why do we have a range of ‘races’, such as colour ‘race’, gender ‘race’, and immigrant ‘race’, and how this harms justice outcomes?
- How do misapplications of ‘free will’, and aggravating and mitigating factors affect justice?
- How are justice stakeholders (e.g. judges, police officers, lawyers) influenced to treat people from different groups differently?
- What knowledge from the vast science of psychology can make a real difference for key justice stakeholders, including judges, lawyers and enforcement officers?
This course is also highly recommended to all those involved in the justice process, including judges, lawyers, police officers, and social services officials.
This course is part of the rich portfolio of AIR inter-disciplinary courses in Law and Science which bring together cutting-edge knowledge for practical application.
Join us for this interactive intensive one-day course to explore one of the most important topics for society – minimising injustices which result from biases and a range of other psychological phenomena. The groups are kept small to enable an interactive atmosphere and enjoyable experience.
Psychology is essential for justice
There is little collaboration between law and psychology. Justice professionals are tasked with regulating human behaviour without knowledge of it. Justice professionals do not generally receive training in human behaviour or psychology.
Psychological Science has now progressed – especially due to progress in Genomics, so much so that it has clarified many grey areas about human behaviour that are relevant to justice. For example, research has informed us about the unreliability of categorisation, memory, eyewitness testimony, and cues to detecting deception; about factors that taint the evidence of witnesses and enforcement officers; and about the forces driving behaviour, including decision-making. All justice professionals would benefit from this knowledge because it provides a foundational basis for decisions that are protected from mind weaknesses and external influences.
Additional features
In this course, we'll address millennia-persisting societal issues from a truly multidisciplinary combination of expertise – psychological science, law and practice in the UK and the US, Genetic science, and more.
100% of the profits from this course will be used towards education and research. This enables us to offer our training at an exceptional value - making this knowledge accessible. Find out more about AIR courses.
Discounts and locations
We offer several discounts, as well as sponsorships. This and other AIR courses are available on campus, online via a digital platform such as Zoom, and at your offices. Please visit our booking page for more information.
Group bookings
To book this course for a group, please email us air (@gold.ac.uk)
Further training
Following this course, we recommend a more in-depth dive into psychological processes affecting decision-making.
We also recommend learning more about advances in genetics, which are key for understanding behaviour, and related legal implications, as well as learning more about persuasion in court.
Fees
£195
Goldsmiths offers a 15% concession rate on short courses to Lewisham Local cardholders, Students and Goldsmiths Alumni. Please email shortcourses@gold.ac.uk for further information. The refund policy for this course can be found on the booking page.
Booking information
Please note our short courses sell out quickly, so early booking is advisable.
Enquiries
Find out more about all of the AIR courses available to you.
For all enquiries, and to be regularly updated on upcoming AIR courses, please email: air (@gold.ac.uk). For anything urgent, or if emailing is not a good option for you, you can also call us via WhatsApp or phone on +44 (0)7908 566 949.
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Tutor information
Dr Fatos Selita
This course is directed by Fatos Selita. Fatos is an English Barrister and a New York State Attorney with training in psychology, human behaviour (behavioural genetics) and other fields. He has more than 12 years of experience in lecturing and delivering training internationally, including training the judiciary in related areas. Fatos has taught in several universities internationally. Other courses he directs include the Psychology of Decision Making, Genetics and Law and several Public Speaking / Communication courses.
Fatos has a number of research publications and is co-author of Oedipus Rex in the Genomic Era: Human Behaviour, Law and Society (Palgrave).
Professor Fiona Gabbert
Fiona is a Professor of Psychology and Director of the Forensic Psychology Unit at Goldsmiths, University of London. She also chairs the Scientific Committee of the International Investigative Interviewing Research Group. Fiona’s research has had an international impact on operational procedures via introducing evidence-based investigative interview tools and training resources to the field.
Dr Adrian Scott
Adrian is a Senior Lecturer at Goldsmiths, University of London, where he is the Co-Director of the Forensic Psychology Unit and Co-Director of an accredited MSc programme in Forensic Psychology. Adrian is a chartered psychologist with associate fellow status within the British Psychological Society. He has a broad interest in forensic psychology, specialising in the areas of stalking, non-consensual image sharing, investigative interviewing and eyewitness testimony.
