AP4: Psychology of Testimony Field of study: Psychology
Programme code: W3-SMPS19.2025

Module name: AP4: Psychology of Testimony
Module code: W3-PS-S-SiS2
Programme code: W3-SMPS19.2025
Semester: winter semester 2028/2029
Language of instruction: depending on the choice
Form of verification: course work
ECTS credits: 4
Purpose and description of the content of education:
The course "Psychology of Testimony" aims to understand the psychological processes underlying the testimony of witnesses and victims, as well as the processes responsible for conveying, remembering and interpreting information in a legal context. The main content of the course includes an analysis of memory and perceptual mechanisms affecting the quality and reliability of testimony, techniques for testing the psychological veracity of testimony, and psychological aspects of the process of interviewing witnesses and victims. Students will also learn about the impact of stress and trauma on testimony, errors and pitfalls that can affect the quality of testimony, as well as the responsibility and role of the psychologist as a forensic expert. The goal of the course is not only to acquire theoretical knowledge, but also the practical skills necessary to work with testimony in various contexts, both within and outside the justice system.
List of modules that must be completed before starting this module (if necessary): not applicable
Learning outcome of the module Codes of the learning outcomes of the programme to which the learning outcome of the module is related [level of competence: scale 1-5]
Jest gotów do uznawania znaczenia i wykorzystywania wiedzy naukowej w procesie opiniowania o spełnianiu przez zeznania psychologicznych kryteriów prawdziwości zeznań świadków. Jest gotów do współpracy z psychiatrami w zakresie wykonywania niniejszych opinii. [PS_K_2_12]
 PS_K_2 [3/5]
Jest gotów do wdrażania zasad etycznych psychologii sądowej w zakresie opiniodawstwa w sprawach dotyczących oceny spełniania przez zeznanie psychologicznych kryteriów prawdziwości zeznań świadków. [PS_K_5_3]
 PS_K_5 [3/5]
Potrafi planować i organizować pracę własną zgodnie ze standardami analitycznymi charakterystycznymi dla opiniodawstwa związanego z zeznaniami świadków. [PS_U_10_2]
 PS_U_10 [3/5]
W pogłębionym stopniu zna i rozumie wyzwania jakie stoją przed biegłym psychologiem sądowym w sprawach z zakresu opiniowania o spełnianiu przez zeznania psychologicznych kryteriów prawdziwości zeznań świadków. Potrafi zidentyfikować, źródła tych wyzwań i zna sposoby ich neutralizacji. [PS_W_7_11]
 PS_W_7 [3/5]
Form of teaching Number of hours Methods of conducting classes Assessment of the learning outcomes Learning outcomes
practical classes [2] 30 Explanation/clarification [a05] 
Lecture-discussion [b02] 
Activating method – educational games [b03] 
Activating method – discussion / debate [b04] 
Activating methods: a case study [b07] 
Activating method – flipped classroom [b09] 
Video show [c02] 
Screen presentation [c07] 
Working with another teaching tool [d03] 
Simulation [e07] 
Conceptual work [f03]  		course work PS_K_2_12 PS_K_5_3 PS_U_10_2 PS_W_7_11
The student's work, apart from participation in classes, includes in particular:
Name Category Description
Literature reading / analysis of source materials [a02] Preparation for classes
reading the literature indicated in the syllabus; reviewing, organizing, analyzing and selecting source materials to be used in class
Production/preparation of tools, materials or documentation necessary for class participation [a05] Preparation for classes
developing, preparing and assessing the usefulness of tools and materials (e.g. aids, scenarios, research tools, equipment, etc.) to be employed in class or as an aid when preparing for classes
Getting acquainted with the syllabus content [b01] Consulting the curriculum and the organization of classes
reading through the syllabus and getting acquainted with its content
Implementation of an individual or group assignment necessary for course/phase/examination completion [c03] Preparation for verification of learning outcomes
a set of activities aimed at performing an assigned task, to be executed out of class, as an obligatory phase/element of the verification of the learning outcomes assigned to the course
Attachments
Module description (PDF)
Information concerning module syllabuses might be changed during studies.
Syllabuses (USOSweb)
Semester Module Language of instruction
(no information given)