Department of Psychology, Faculty of Psychology
Criminal Psychology Major
Learn the causes of crime and delinquency,
Acquire knowledge and rehabilitation methods that will help prevent this.
In the Department of Criminal Psychology, students analyze and understand crimes from a psychological point of view to understand why people commit crimes, what lies behind juvenile delinquency, and to think about ways to prevent them.You will also learn cutting-edge forensic investigation methods, correctional education to help criminals get back on their feet, and psychological support methods for crime victims and bereaved families.Teachers who actually worked at police and juvenile classification homes not only provide easy-to-understand lessons based on their own experiences, but also provide plenty of opportunities to visit courts and juvenile training schools.This major is full of learning and experiences that are possible.
Course to aim for
- Police officer
- Legal instructor
- Family Court Investigator
- Companies (security-related, etc.)
- Firefighter
- Juvenile Classification Center Psychological Technician
- Local government employee (general administrative job)
- Going to graduate school
Qualifications and licenses to aim for
- Certified psychiatrist
- Certified psychologist (psychological research)
- Qualification for social welfare chief
- Qualification for child welfare officer
- Disaster prevention
- Junior High School Teacher's License Type XNUMX (Social Studies)
- High school teacher type license (civilian)
- Wait
Features of learning
- 1
- Guidance by experienced teachers who have actually faced crime
Six faculty members, including police officers, legal technical officers (juvenile classification homes, juvenile training schools), and forensic researchers, have a wealth of experience facing criminals, and even have a doctorate in criminal psychology. is enrolled.In addition to learning the knowledge necessary to investigate cases and rehabilitate criminals, we will boldly predict in real time the suspected image of the latest case that appeared in this morning's newspaper.No other university has a criminal psychology course with such a staff, and it is a rare major in Japan.
- 2
- Many opportunities to learn in reality, such as visits to juvenile training schools and overseas police
Many learning opportunities are prepared, including exchanges with people outside the campus, such as visiting prefectural police headquarters, family courts, juvenile training schools, and children's self-reliance support facilities, and attending lectures by inviting staff who work there.In the global study, we will visit the Seattle Police Department in the United States and compare crimes in Japan from an international perspective (airfare for participating students will be borne by the university).In addition, based on many experiences such as students making a short drama about bank transfer scams and performing it in front of the elderly in the community, it is characterized by lessons that are useful for crime prevention activities and imprinted on the mind.
- 3
- Many seniors are active in a wide range of occupations, mainly civil servants
Many of our graduates are active as police officers, legal instructors, and prison officers.In addition, current students are also studying hard to become civil servants such as researchers at the forensic research institute (lie discovery, profiling), investigators at family courts, and child welfare officers at child guidance centers.Recently, there has been an increase in computer viruses and internet banking fraudulent operations, so we have introduced a new class to acquire knowledge of cybercrime.At our university, we aim to cultivate specialists who can serve society with pride and a sense of mission.
Class introduction
- Judicial/criminal psychology
- Deepen your understanding of crime through actual cases and consider ways to prevent crimes from repeating themselves
While taking up actual incidents, students will learn about the causes of crimes, criminal investigations, corrections, and trials, as well as psychological theories, systems, and laws.By looking at the phenomenon of crime from various perspectives, such as perpetrators, victims, and third parties, students deepen their understanding of crime and learn about psychological support for its resolution.Consider guidance and effective educational methods to prevent repeated crimes and delinquency.
- criminal law
- What is a crime and what punishment is imposed Learn the procedures and laws related to criminal cases
You will learn common rules on crime and punishment (general criminal law) and criminal procedures (criminal procedure law).Teachers with practical experience in the police field will explain what acts constitute crimes, what procedures are followed in arrests and trials, and what punishments are imposed, based on specific cases.By thinking about the causes and consequences of crimes, students acquire the ability to think legally about what constitutes a crime and how to determine the sentencing.
- investigative psychology
- Learn psychological methods used in criminal investigations from actual cases and think about roles
Through real-life examples, students will learn various psychological approaches used in criminal investigations.Statement psychology, in which the suspect learns about the psychological process leading to a confession.One of the forensic investigations brought about by physiological psychology is polygraph testing (so-called lie discovery).Statistical profiling and geographic profiling that serve as a basis for culpability.You will also learn about the relationship between mental illness and crime, and consider the role of psychological investigation.
Criminal psychology-related subjects are enriched!
- Introduction to Criminology
- Introduction to jurisprudence
- Judicial/criminal psychology
- Corrective psychology
- investigative psychology
- Applied Criminal Psychology
- Disaster prevention and crime prevention psychology
- Safety management theory
- Victim/Victim Psychology
- international crime theory
- Cyber crime theory I
- Cyber Crime Theory II
- Crime and disaster reporting theory
- criminal law
- Crisis management theory
- Corporate Crisis Management Theory
- Criminal Psychology Special Lecture
Global Study (Overseas Experience Program)
Program example
- Fieldwork on crime, focusing on community crime prevention and juvenile crime in the United States (USA/Seattle Travel period: 11 days)
- Field research on crime prevention measures in local communities in Taiwan (Taiwan/Hsinchu, Taipei travel period: 6 days)
Service learning (social contribution activities in Japan)
Program example
- Let's protect the elderly from special fraud
- Recovery support for juvenile delinquents
- Problems and addictions on SNS among high school students
- Considering the safety and security of elementary school students on their way to and from school
Criminal Psychology Major Related Subjects
Makoto Nakayama
Former Chief Researcher, Shizuoka Prefectural Police Headquarters Forensic Research Institute
Specialty: Criminal psychology, physiological psychology, psychophysiological deception detection, criminal opportunity theory from the viewpoint of crime prevention
Mitsuhisa Ohmatsu
Former Hyogo Prefectural Police Mobile Investigation Team Chief, First Investigation Division Chief, Criminal Planning Division Chief, Organized Crime Countermeasures Bureau Chief, Himeji Police Station Chief
Specialty: Criminal investigation, crime prevention, practical education such as criminology
Itsuko Domen
Specialties: Clinical psychology, victim support, cognitive-behavioral therapy for trauma-related disorders, research on survivor guilt
Hiroki Takahashi
Former Hyogo Prefectural Police Cyber Crime Countermeasure Division Manager, Cyber Crime Countermeasure Division Chief, Tanba Police Station Chief
Specialty: Crime practice, investigative practice, investigation and countermeasures against cybercrime, crime prevention
Kenji Teramura
Former Ministry of Justice Psychological Technician
Specialty: Clinical psychology of delinquency and crime, support for recovery from delinquency and crime
Takashi Itayama
Permanent Director of the Japanese Society of Law and Psychology, Advisor of Okayama Prefectural Board of Education
Specialty: Criminal psychology, legal psychology, research on social sanctions and support for release, harassment countermeasures
Voice of the teacher in charge
Learn criminal psychology using actual cases as examples,
Let's aim to realize a safe and secure society
In this major, you will learn in detail about important peculiar incidents that have occurred in Japan.We comprehensively examine why the incident occurred, whether the suspect had a psychological problem, and what the results of the psychiatric evaluation were.It also explains the investigative methods for apprehending the true criminal and the recovery of offenders from a clinical psychology point of view, clarifying the process from problem discovery to problem solving.Based on this process, I believe that the raison d'etre of this department is to aim for the realization of a safe and secure society with as little crime as possible.We sincerely welcome everyone who wants to learn criminal psychology and want to be useful to society, and we will generously pass on the knowledge of our faculty members.
Professor Makoto Nakayama
● Judicial and Criminal Psychology ● Investigative Psychology ● Criminal Accident Reporting Theory ● Introduction to Psychology ● Psychological Research Methods (Experiments) ● Psychological Experiments
[Career] After completing a master's course, worked for 27 years as a psychologist at the Shizuoka Prefectural Police Headquarters Forensic Research Institute.Obtained his doctorate in psychology during this time. In 2009, he joined the university.
[Books] Investigation of False Detection Using Physiological Indicators (single author), Psychology of Criminal Challenges (co-authored), Criminal Psychology Research Methods (co-authored), Handbook of polygraph testing (co-authored), etc.
