AC 2.2 Individualistic Theories

Question 1

Psychodynamic theories

Answer 1

• psychoanalysis; the idea of our personality causing us to behave in particular ways
• Freud, childhood experiences determined our personality and future behaviour e.g. dysfunctional family with poor relationships with parents leads to criminality

Question 2

Eysenck’s personality theory

Answer 2

Criminality based on personality types

Neurotic - type of people are anxious, prevented from learning mistakes when punished

Psychoticism - likely to become serial killers. defined being solitary misfits, cruel and aggressive

Extraverts - need high level of stimulation, in constant need of excitement, impulsive don really care about consequences

Question 3

Learning theory (Sutherland)

Answer 3

•argues individuals learn criminal behaviour from family and peers
• through imitation of the behaviours of those around them
• internalising more unfavourable than favourable ones are more likely to become criminals
• hence why behaviour is normalised