3.2 Flashcards
Freud’s psychoanalytic theory
Faulty early socialisation preventing the individual resolving unconscious conflicts between the ID and the superego
Strengths of Freud’s psychoanalytic theory
The theory points to the importance of early socialisation and family relationships in understanding criminal behaviour
Limitations of Freud’s psychoanalytic theory
Critics doubt the existence of an unconscious mind
Bowlby’s psychodynamic theory
Maternal deprivation as a cause of criminality
Strengths of Bowlby’s psychodynamic theory
A sample of 44 juvenile delinquents had suffered maternal deprivation (39%) than a control group of non deliquents (5%)
Limitations Bowlby’s psychodynamic theories
Bowlby’s theory doesn’t talk about the 69% that don’t suffer maternal deprivation
Eysenck’s personality Theory
Criminality is the result of an extraverted neurotic personality
Strengths of Eysenck’s personality theory
Studies support this as offenders are often extraverts, neurotic and psychotic
Limitations of Eysenck’s
Convicted offenders may not be typical offenders as a whole, for example less impulsive offenders may be less likely to be caught
What is differential association theory
Sutherland argues that we learn criminal behaviour through socialisation
Strengths of differential association
The attitudes of workgroups can normalise white collar crime
Limitations of differential association theory
Not everyone who is exposed ro criminal influences becomes criminal
What is operant learning theory
If criminal behaviour leads to a positive outcome it is more likely to be repeated
Strengths of operant learning theory
Jeffrey states that if crime leads to to more rewarding than punishing behaviour then it is likely to be repeated
Limitations of operant learning theory
Theory ignores internal mental process
What is social learning theory
Bandura argues that we learn behaviour through observation and imitation of others.
Strengths of social learning theory
Bandura shows that children who observe agressive behaviour being rewarded, this shows the importance of role models
Limitations of social learning theory
The theory is based on an artificial environment as it was done in a lab, so findings may not be relevant for real life
What is criminal personality theory
Yochelson and Samenows theory says criminal behaviour as the result of errors and biases in criminals thinking patterns
Strengths of criminal personality theory
A successful treatment caller cognitive behavioural therapy has been developed due to this theory
Limitations of criminal personality theory
They did not use a control group of non criminal to see if normal people also make the same thinking errors
What is moral development theory
The theory argues that criminals are stuck at an immature stage of moral development therefore leading to them being unable to make correct moral choices
Strengths of moral development theory
Some study’s show deliquents are more likely to have immature moral development
Limitations of moral development theory
Kohlberg focuses on moral thinking rather than moral behaviour, some may be perfectly capable of thinking morally while acting immorally
