AC2.2 Flashcards
individualistic theories of criminality
learning theory = bandura
psychodynamic = freud
psychological = eysenck
learning theory
observational learning
learning through the observation of role models criminal behavior leading to the imitation of that criminal behavior
role models
all criminal behavior is learnt through role models displaying that behavior the observer values and wants to copy
Mediational processes
ARRM
attention, retention, reproduction, motivation
individuals don’t copy all behavior they go through a process called mediational process which determine whether they copy criminal’s behavior
Vicarious reinforcement
an observer is more likely to imitate behavior if they witness a role model receive a positive outcome
learning theory evaluation
strength
real world application- bandura’s research highlighted dangers of exploiting children to violence - led to watershed and age certification
learning theory evaluation
weaknesses
lacks generalisability- study only used 6 year olds no way to apply findings to wider population so low in population validity
low in validity- children placed in unnatural environment may have figured out experiment and acted to please the researcher
pyschological
eysenck personality theory
eysenck proposed behavior could be represented across 2 dimensions
-extroversion/introversion (E)
-neuroticism/stability (N)
Extroversion
Neuroticism
people with high E scores are risk
takers,seek sensation and stimulation
people with high N scores are over anxious,nervous and react very strongly to aversise negative stimuli. neuroticism is determined by overall level of stability in CNS. low N score= stable relatively i reactive NS
high score on E/N scale
people who score high on E/N scale have a criminal personality
psychoticism
eysenck added third dimension of personality, P
people who score high on P are aggressive, antisocial, cold and egocentric
Development
according to eysenck criminals are developmentally immature and difficult to condition- don’t learn from mistakes
eysenck+ eysenck 1977
2000 males high on E,N,P compared with group of male controls
found that prisoners constantly scored higher than control group on all 3 measures
eysenck personality theory evaluation
strengths
increase credibility- use of a control group acts as baseline to compare findings
avoids researcher bias- gathers quantitative data easy to interpret and not subjective to researcher bias or objective
eysenck personality theory evaluation
weaknesses
low in population validity- research is androcentric 2000 males can’t be generalized to female offenders
only samples prisoners- does not cover criminals in community or criminals that haven’t been caught
psychodynamic freud
freud theorized our mental activity is mostly unconscious and causes our our behavior
traumatic childhood experiences pushed into the unconscious mind can lead to criminality and mental disorders
3 parts of personality
ID- develops at birth, pleasure principle, selfish part of personality, based on instant gratification
Ego- develops at 18months, reality principle, manages desires of the ID
Super ego- develops at 4-5 years phallic stage, morality principle, moral conscience ‘i can’t have part of personality’.
Inadequate Super ego- criminality develops when the super ego does not develop properly
3 types of superego
weakness superego- caused by absent same sex parent in phallic stage
deviant superego- caused by internalization of immoral superego from deviant parents
overharsh superego- causing person to become anxious and unconsciously seek punishment by committing criminal acts
psychodynamic
Bowlby maternal deprivation
criminality develops due to absence of primary caregiver in critical period, if this happens psychological damage is irreversible and leads to affliction less psychopathy (individual feels no remorse or empathy for actions)
psychodynamic theory freud evaluation
weakness
low in scientific credibility- freud interviewed patients and conducted dream analysis so data was subjective and open to interpretation , data was very bias as freud developed the theory and uses his own patients to valid ideas
