AC 2.2 (describe individualistic theories of criminality) Flashcards
Learning theory.
Offending is a set of behaviours that are learned the same way as other behaviours. Through the family or peer group.
Albert Bandura Social Learning Theory.
1963.
Observation and imitation.
People learn by watching the behaviours of others. If children watch adults gaining pleasure from an activity they will imitate the behaviour, however is they watch an adult being punished they will reject the behaviour.
Bobo doll experiment.
Bobo doll experiment.
Exposed children to 2 separate adult models: aggressive and non-aggressive
Children watched the aggressive model beat the bobo doll (kick, hit). Children replicated this behaviour.
Children also came up with new ways to attack the doll: using a toy gun or throwing toy darts at it.
Even when repeating this experiment with different variables, it still showed the same result.
What contexts does observational learning take place in?
Family.
Prevalent subculture.
Cultural symbols (TV shoes, video games).
What are violence and aggression produced by? ALEP
Arousal event.
Learned aggressive skills.
Expected rewards.
Pro-violence values.
How does social learning theory explain criminality?
Observe aggression → imitate aggression.
Media influence case for SLT?
Robert Thompson and Jon Venables (James Bulger Case).
Said to have watched Child’s Play 3 before the murder.
The judge said ‘I suspect exposure to violent video films may in part be an explanation’.
Osborne and West.
1982.
Where the father has a criminal conviction 40% of sons also acquired one by 18.
When the father was not criminal, this was only 13%.
Psychodynamic theory.
Freud, explains behaviour in terms of conscious and unconscious psychological processes.
Id.
Unconscious, satisfaction of basic needs, gaining pleasure and avoiding pain. The id wants instant gratification, if this doesn’t happen the person becomes tense and anxious.
Superego.
Mostly conscious, judges what is right and wrong, understanding rules, morals and norms.
Ego.
Conscious, reality, balance between id and superego, decision maker.
Psychoanalysis.
Can be used to treat mental disorders.
Freud developed psychoanalysis by observing patients.
Personalities arise because of attempts to resolve conflicts between unconscious sexual and aggressive impulses and societal demands to restrain these impulses.
Freudian slip.
Saying the wrong word, example: calling a partner by an ex’s name.
The 3 parts to someone’s personality.
Superego - conscience, morality.
Ego - rational, sensible, control.
Id - selfish and animalistic urges.
