2. 2 Individualistic Theories Flashcards
Eyesneck’s personality theory
Personality made up of 2 dimensions = introvert/extrovert and neuroticism. Eyesneck believes criminals have high extroverted and highly neurotic as they’re impulsive , unpredictable and restless. Through conditioning criminality can go from someone’s nervous system with rewards and punishments. But people with high neuroticism don’t react the same and continue to develop into criminals.
Freud’s psychodynamic theory
Unconscious mind and childhood experiences determine a persons future personality and benaviour’s. There are 3 elements to a person’s personality: id (uncoscious mind that wants to satisfy pleasures), ego ( reality principle to mediate between id and superego) and superego (conscious and morals our guilty mind). A criminal has a weak superego and so feel less guilty allowing them to commit crime. May also have a deviant superego as it is socialised into people from their upbringing.
Bowlby’s maternal deprivation theory
The first 5 years of a child’s life is the most crucial for socialisation and development. If attachment is broken during that time a child can struggle to develop connections in the future. Study of 44 juvenile thieves found 39% of those suffered maternal deprivation before 5 compared to only 5% of a control group.
Social learning theory
Principles of observation and imitation. A child observes the behaviour of role models and imitate their benaviour especially it reinforced.a role model has features of being powerful , similar and reinforcement. Vicarious reinforcement is seeing a role model be rewarded for the behaviour and is reinforcement for a child. Supported by bobo doll study with 4-5 year olds.
Evaluation of freud’s psychodynamic theory
✓ points to importance of early childhood and family for criminality. Had some influence on policies.
X unscientific and subjective as rely on claims. No longer accredited by psychologists due to difficulty of testing unconscious mind.
Evaluation of bowlby maternal deprivation theory
✓ research to support. Shows need to consider role of a parent
X retrospective study and difficult to recall experiences. Later study of 60 children who’d been separated from parent showed no evidence of affectionless psychopathy
Evaluation of Eyesneck’s personality theory
✓ useful in describing how measurable tendencies could increase a risk of offending. Studies support predictions.
X farrington round prisoners are neurotic and psychotic but not extroverted. Doesn’t prove that personality type causes criminality as prison can cause neuroticism
Evaluate social learning theory
✓ study replicated with changes and round similar results. Bandura snows that children who observed aggressive behaviour imitated it
X based on lab studies in a not natural environment. Assumes people’s behaviours and ignores freedom of choice.
Operant learning theory
Cause of someone’s behaviour lies in reinforcement and punishment. Particular behaviour results in rewards and so is more likely to be repeated. If behaviour is punished it is less likely to be repeated. Skinner believes all behaviour is a result of rewards and punishments and so can explain criminal behaviour.
Evaluate operant learning theory
✓ skinner’s study of animals shows they learn from reinforcement and can be applied to humans. Jeffrey says rewarding causes someone to offend more likely.
X based on studies of animals. Ignores internal mental processes (thinking). Explains behaviour based on external rewards and punishments.
