2.2- Decribe Individualistice Theories Of Criminality

Question 1

Psychodynamic theories

Psychoanalysis- Sigmund Freud

Answer 1

Early childhood determines criminality

Weakly developed superego- the individual will feel little guilt about antisocial behaviour and act with aggression

Harsh and unforgiving superego- deepest guilt requiring punishment as a release.

A deviant superego- the child is successfully socialised but with a deviant moral code.

Question 2

Psychodynamic theories

Bowlby’s maternal deprivation theory

Answer 2

• if the child does not have a secure attachment to a parental figure from birth to age 5 they will be emotionally unstable causing an affection less psychopathy.

Evidence- 44 juvenile thieves study where 39% of there has suffered maternal deprivation.

Question 3

Psychodynamic theories

Eysenck’s personality theory

Answer 3

For Eysenck personality is made up of two dimensions-
Extraversion vs. Introversion
Neuroticism vs emotional stability

• Extraverted personalities are outgoing, carefree often aggressive, short tempered and unreliable
• Introverted personalities are reserved, thoughtful and reliable
• neurotic personalities are anxious moody, prone to overreaction

He states a combination of extraversion and neuroticism leads to criminality

Question 4

Learning theories-

Sutherland’s differential association theory

Answer 4

Criminal behaviour is largely influenced by family and peer groups due to two factors-

• imitation- individuals acquire criminal skills through observing others
• learned attitudes- socialisation within the group exposes attitudes which will become internalised

Question 5

Learning theory-

Operant learning theory, BF Skinner

Answer 5

• if behaviour is rewarded then it will be more likely to be repeated.
• if behaviour is punished it is less likely to be repeated.

Therefor criminal behaviour must be learned though positive reinforcement.

Question 6

Learning theories-

Social learning theory, Bandura

Answer 6

Models are people that we imitate because of their status and the rewards we see them getting therefor if someone’s model is deviant they are likely to imitate

Question 7

Cognitive theories-

Criminal personality theory, Yochelson and Samenow

Answer 7

Criminals are said to have ‘thinking errors’ which are deviant or immoral thought processes which lead to secretiveness, possessiveness and victim stance.

Question 8

Cognitive theories-

Kohlberg’s moral development theory

Answer 8

Childhood- ‘pre-conventional’ or ‘pre-moral’ levels where children define right and wrong through punishment or reward.
Adulthood- right and wrong involve moral values.

This suggests that criminals are stuck without a mature level of thinking.

Question 9

Individualistic theories of criminality

Answer 9

•psychodynamic theories
*psychoanalysis, sigmund Freud 
*Bowlby’s maternal deprivation theory 
*Eysenck’s personality theory 
•learning theories 
*Sutherland’s differential association theory
* operant learning, BF Skinner 
* social learning theory, Bandura 
•cognitive theories 
* criminal personality theory, Yochelson and Samenow 
*kohlberg’s moral development theory.