Core Differences Between Criminology and Forensic Psychology

Core Differences Between Criminology and Forensic Psychology

Both criminology and forensic psychology exist in the realm of criminal justice. There are substantial differences as to the goals, strategies and occupations. These issues of difference between criminology and forensic psychology are aimed at showing that even though both fields focus on crime.

Purpose and Focus

• Criminology is all about studying crime based on the number of social aspects it encompasses. Criminology students try to understand why people commit crimes and how these crimes can be prevented on society’s level. Their work focuses on social and environmental context including poverty, education and how they impact on criminality.
• Forensic psychology deals with the relation of psychology to the law and impacts especially concerning offenders. In essence, forensic psychologists evaluate the mental condition of offenders and of victims,prescribe treatment regimens. They also give opinions on the psychological standing of an individual as much as the law is concerned.

Approach and Methods

• Research and statistical methods are used by criminologists in the examination of crime. Police and other professions that involve the enforcement of the law collect statistical information relating to crime trends. They use data collection techniques borrowed from sociology, economics, and anthropology. The findings from this study make a contribution to formation of crime prevention processes and policies that affect safety in the society.
• Certain assessing procedures used by a forensic psychologist include clinical and psychological assessment. With suspects, offender and defense, they may employ interviews, mental health assessments, tests or behavior analysis. Some of them perform professional duties in collaboration with courts and present their functional opinion in matters concerning mental disorders.

Employment Setting and Job Opportunity

• Criminologists practice in universities, research institutions, government departments, political research bureaus and in police departments. These are some of the common positions that people holding degrees in criminal justice serve. The field provides a chance to shape the direction of such policies and design methods for minimizing criminal activity.
• Occupational settings of forensic psychologists include serving in court systems; correctional facilities; police departments ; and private practice in legal consultancy. They can act as court specialists, and advisors, or work as forensic psychologists or clinicians for prisoners. This field affords contact with legal processes as well as the participants in the criminal justice delivery system.

Educational Pathways and Training

• Criminology mostly needs formal education in criminal justice, sociology or criminology at the least. A bachelor’s degree with further education for certain professions. Criminologists may also study social sciences so as to have a wider perspective on the effects of social factors on crime.
• Forensic psychology does entail more of an education that seems to bear with the clinical and psychological perspective. It usually requires a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s, doctorate or even postdoctoral degree in forensic psychology. Clinical internships and state licensure in order to practice as a psychologist