Class Testimony Psychology

Testimony psychology is a prominent area of forensic psychology dedicated to the study of witnesses and the judicial value of their testimonies, considering the cognitive processes inherent in witnessing and all the contextual and individual variables that may interfere with this act. The development of interview techniques and effective evaluation processes are clear objectives of this area of knowledge. The interconnection between the various professionals in the service of justice is also explored, particularly the psychologist's role in this context. Research in this area aims to contribute to a more informed and evidence-based practice.

1. Introduction to Testimony Psychology
   1. History, definitions, and key concepts
   2. Legal framework
2. The implications of basic psychological processes and individual and contextual variables on judicial testimony: Sensation, perception, attention, and memory
   1. System and estimator variables
   2. Individual and contextual variables
   3. Suggestibility
   4. Memory Errors vs. False Memories
   5. Effects of emotion on memory
   6. Memory and life cycle
3. Avaliação da capacidade para testemunhar
4. Recolha de informação nos processos judiciais
   1. Offenders identification
   2. Interview techniques
   3. Response styles: Simulation, validity, truth

The teaching methodologies for this course include lectures with expository nature and interactive dialogue with students.

Students can choose one of the following modalities:

1. Continuous assessment:
   1. Two written tests (30% each);
   2. Group work: oral presentation and individual defense (30% + 10%, respectively). Presentation on a theme within the course unit (themes will be presented at the beginning of the semester).
2. Final written exam (100%) that includes all the contents covered.

The final average for the approval is 10 values.

The appeal exam (100%) will focus on all contents.

As a final grade, the student must obtain a minimum grade of 10 points

• Alho, L., & Paulino, M. (Eds.). (2021). Psicologia do Testemunho: Da prática à investigação científica. Pactor.

• Cooper, B. S., Griesel, D., & Ternes, M. (Eds.). (2013). Applied issues in investigative interviewing, eyewitness memory, and credibility assessment . Springer Science & Business Media.

• Matos, M., Gonçalves, R. A., & Machado, c. (2011). Manual de psicologia forense: Contextos, práticas e desafios. Psiquilibrios.

• Weiner, I. B., & Hess, A. K. (Eds.). (2013). The handbook of forensic psychology (4th ed.). John Wiley & Sons.