Term paper

Objective: The objective of this case study assignment is to apply the knowledge gained in the course to

analyze the psychological factors involved in a criminal case. Students will critically evaluate the motivations,

behaviours, and psychological characteristics of the individuals involved in the case, using psychological

theories and concepts discussed throughout the course.

Instructions:

1. Select your case:

Below is a list of 5 judicial decisions in criminal cases (trial, appeal, or sentencing decisions) in

Saskatchewan from the last few years. Select one case from the list for your assignment (if you have any

interesting Canadian case in mind not found on this list, contact me to see if it will work for the

assignment). Note, some of these cases contain graphic details, so be sure to review the topics discussed to

make sure you are comfortable reading about the cases in detail. If a case negatively affects you, please use

an alternative case for the assignment.

R v Lonechild, 2021 SKQB 174: Dangerous offender application involving severe violent and

sexual offending, psychiatric assessment, and Indigenous social history. ** NOTE, contains

graphic descriptions of sexual violence so avoid this one if it makes sense for you and take

care if you do decide to review.

R v Crawford, 2022 SKQB 115: Firearm-related break and enter with conflicting witness

accounts and gang-related involvement.

R v Bird, 2023 SKKB 54: Case involving a homicide connected to gang dynamics, multiple

witness statements, and issues of coercion and substance use

R v Cantre, 2021 SKQB 39: A Saskatchewan case involving a serious violent incident and the

courts assessment of the offenders background, responsibility, and sentencing considerations.

R v Mills, 024 SKPC 11: A Saskatchewan case involving a female offender whose impaired

driving caused serious harm, with the court examining her background, responsibility, and

sentencing.

2. Research the case:

Conduct in-depth research on the chosen criminal case, utilizing reputable sources such as news articles,

documentaries, books, and academic journals. Gather information about the background, childhood

experiences, psychological history, and motivations of the individuals involved.

3. Analyze the psychological factors:

Using the knowledge and theories discussed in the course, analyze the psychological factors that contributed

to the criminal behaviour in the case. Consider factors such as developmental influences, cognitive

processes, socialization, personality traits, and environmental influences. Identify and discuss the specific

psychological theories that are relevant to understanding the motivations and behaviours of the individuals

involved.

4. Write your paper:

Write a comprehensive case study report that includes the following elements:Introduction: Provide a brief overview of the chosen criminal case and the individuals involved.

c. d. e. f. Explain the significance of the case and its relevance to the field of psychology.

Background information: Describe the background and history of the individuals involved in the

case. Include relevant details about their upbringing, education, family background, and any

known psychological issues. Your primary source of information for this will be the written

judicial decision, however, you may turn to reputable news outlets for additional information.

Analysis of psychological factors: Using peer-reviewed, empirical journal articles, apply

psychological theories and concepts discussed in the course to analyze the psychological factors

that contributed to criminal behaviour. Discuss how developmental, cognitive, and social factors

influenced the behaviours and motivations of the individuals.

Evaluation of treatment and prevention approaches: Based on the case analysis, evaluate the

effectiveness of different treatment and prevention approaches that could have been applied to

address the psychological factors involved. Discuss the potential impact of early intervention and

other strategies.

Conclusion: Summarize the main findings of your analysis and discuss the broader implications

of the case study for understanding the psychology of criminal behaviour.

References: Include a list of references used in your research, following APA 7th edition.

Information Source: In addition to the judicial decision, you will review a minimum of 5 empirical

psychology research articles (i.e., NOT modules, websites, newspaper articles). Do not use law, sociology, or

criminology-based research unless it takes a psychology lens. You will need to demonstrate that you have read

and understood the research articles. This is best done through reporting research questions, methods, and

findings. Simply summarizing the research without critically analyzing the results and/or applying it to the case

will not result in full marks. I want to see evidence that you critically thought about how the research applies to

your selected case. The more critical thought, the better your grade will be! Note that you may use more than 5

sources in your paper. This is just minimum.

5. Format Requirements

6-7 pages (excluding title page and references; no need for abstract); The TA will not read past the 7th

page.

Presented as a research paper; a narrative with a main purpose/argument and strong narrative (no point

form).

APA 7th edition, 12 pt Times New Roman, double-spaced, 1″ margins

Minimal use of quotations; Excessive or inappropriate usage of quotes does not allow a marker to

determine if you understand what you read and will result in a lower grade.

Submit as .docx or PDF

Late penalty: 10% per day (including weekends)

6. Evaluation Criteria

Grading will be based on several factors, including but not limited to how well the research question/assignment

is addressed, the style of writing (e.g., grammar, spelling), clarity/creativity of arguments, appropriate

use/discussion of reference material, and overall presentation. Please be sure your paper is well organized,

clearly written, and proofread before submission. Papers that contain many spelling errors and/or grammatical

issues and poor flow will be docked for poor readability. Ensure that your analysis is objective, evidence-based,

and respectful to the individuals involved in the case. Focus on providing a comprehensive psychological

understanding rather than sensationalizing or glorifying criminal behaviour. Focus on publicly available

information and avoid speculating or making unfounded assumptions about their motivations or mental state Your paper will be graded based on the following criteria (detailed grading rubric found below):

Case Description & Psychological Framing (15%): Accuracy, relevance, and use of psychological

concepts to frame the case.

Use of Empirical Research & Application (35%): How well you explain and apply peer-reviewed

research to the specific case. Strong papers connect findings directly to case details and integrate

evidence across studies.

Critical Thinking & Evaluation (25%): Depth of analysis, including evaluation of evidence, limitations,

and alternative explanations.

Recommendations / Implications (15%): Quality, specificity, and feasibility of research-supported

recommendations or implications.

Writing Quality & APA Style (10%): Organization, clarity, academic tone, and correct APA formatting.