2.2 Describe Individualistic theories of criminality Flashcards
What do individualistic theories of criminality focus on?
They suggest that criminal behavior is influenced by personality, learning, and experiences, rather than biology or genetics.
What is Bandura’s Social Learning Theory (SLT)?
Criminal behavior is learned through observing and imitating others, especially role models.
What experiment supports Social Learning Theory?
The Bobo Doll Experiment (1961) – Children who observed aggressive adults were more likely to act aggressively.
What are the four key processes in Bandura’s Social Learning Theory?
1.Attention – Noticing the behavior
2.Retention – Remembering the behavior
3.Reproduction – Being able to copy the behavior
4.Motivation – Wanting to imitate the behavior (e.g., due to rewards)
What is a criticism of Social Learning Theory?
It ignores biological factors such as genetics or brain structure.
What is Eysenck’s Personality Theory of Crime?
Criminal behaviour is linked to personality traits, which are determined by genetics and upbringing.
What are the three personality types in Eysenck’s theory?
~Extraversion (E) – Outgoing, sensation-seeking
~Neuroticism (N) – Anxious, emotionally unstable
~Psychoticism (P) – Cold, aggressive, antisocial
According to Eysenck, which personality type is most likely to be criminal?
High in Extraversion, Neuroticism, and Psychoticism (ENP).
What is a criticism of Eysenck’s theory?
It relies on self-report questionnaires, which may be biased or unreliable.
What is Freud’s Psychoanalytic Theory of Crime?
Crime results from an imbalance between the id, ego, and superego in the unconscious mind.
What are the three parts of the personality in Freud’s theory?
1.Id – Primitive desires (wants instant gratification)
2.Ego – Balances id and superego (rational decision-making)
3.Superego – Moral conscience (knows right from wrong)
According to Freud, what causes criminal behaviour?
A weak superego (lack of guilt), deviant superego (wrong moral values), or overly strong id (acting on impulses).
What is a criticism of Freud’s theory?
It is difficult to scientifically test because the unconscious mind cannot be observed.
What is the maternal deprivation theory (Bowlby)?
Children who are separated from their mother at a young age may develop emotional detachment and are more likely to commit crimes.
What study supports Bowlby’s theory?
Bowlby’s 44 Thieves Study – Many young offenders had experienced early maternal separation.
What is a criticism of Bowlby’s theory?
It does not explain why not all neglected children become criminals.
