AC2.2- individualistic theories of crime Flashcards
What are the learning theories?
Social learning theory
Observational theory
Differential association
Who is the theorist of the Social Learning Theory?
Bandura
What does the Social Learning Theory state?
People may attention to models and replicate their behaviour
Modelling: where an authority figure displays behaviour (most likely someone you look up to/ a parent)
Aggression arousal: agitation is triggered (someone is made mad)
Delayed imitation: replicating the behaviour you saw/learnt
What is the link to criminality for the Social Learning Theory?
Violence and aggression produced by provocation
Who is the theorist of the Observational Theory?
Albert Bandura
What is the example for the Social Learning Theory?
Thompson & Venables grew up in unhealthy settings and later killed 2 year old James Bulger
What does the Observational Theory suggest?
The SLT but behaviour is learnt through people, the media and different social factors where learnt behaviour is imitated/projected onto real world and becomes cemented into your personality and behaviour cannot be unlearnt
What is the link to criminality for the Observational Theory?
Violence and aggression produced by provocation
What is the case study for the Observational Theory/
Thomspon & Venables played graphic games such as Child’s Play 3 and then later on killed 2 year old James Bulger
Who is the theorist of the Differential Association Theory?
Edmund Sutherland
What does the Differential Association theory state?
There is no influence from the media and behaviour is learnt through interaction and observation (attitudes, story telling) and behaviour can be unlearnt & people can be rehabilitated
What is the link to criminality for the Differential Association theory?
While in prison, criminals learn from those around them and become more versed in criminal techniques
What is the case study for Differential Association?
Bernie Madoff was guilty of the Ponzi Scheme and learnt his tactics from coworkers of Walstreet
What are the psychological theories?
psychodynamic Theory
Attachment Theory
What does the psychodynamic theory state?
events in our childhood can have a significant impact on our behaviour as adults and our behaviour determined by the unconscious mind + childhood experiences
Stage 1: children need to process from the pleasure principle- ID is first bio part of personality, selfishness
Stage 2: Reality principle, the EGO- makes decisions and operates according to the reality principle
Stage 3: Superego is concerned with what is socially acceptable
Who is the theorist of the Psychodynamic Theory?
Sigmund Freud
What is the link to criminality for the Psychodynamic Theory?
Due to trauma people have little free will to make choices in life and if the ID dominates, the mind may be uncontrollable and this is when criminality takes place
What is the case study for the Psychodynamic Theory?
Fred West- grew up with abusive (domestic + sexual) parents. His behaviour from childhood never changed and he felt no remorse for his victims
Who is the theorist of the Attachment Theory?
John Bowlby (1944)
What does the Attachment Theory state?
A secure attachment style allows for healthy relationship and when they were younger they received more love and they find it easier to connect to others, have greater trust and be successful in life
Avoidant attachment styles lead people to be scared to show emotion to avoid punishment, they’re people pleasers
Disorganised attachment styles means someone wasn’t exposed to a healthy relationship with their Mother and are victims of child neglect. They avoid social situations and have a fear of people they should trust
What is the link to criminality for Attachment Theory?
The disorganised Attachment style means they have an instinct that they are alone and no one will care for them except themself and may turn to crime
What is the example for Attachment Theory?
Romanian Orphan House 1966- Romania wanted to become a powerhouse, poor families couldn’t support kids and afford contraception.
Abortion became illegal and so orphanages became more populated
The children were neglected, abused and left alone without entertainment- babies had to develop their own cognitive stimulation.
MRI scans showed these kids had lower brain mass
Who is the theorist of the personality theory?
Hans Eyesnck (1940s)
What does the Personality Theory state?
Based on responses from a questionnaire
Can only be 1 or the other
Extrovert/Introvert
Neurotics/stable thinkers
Psychotics
Extrovert: sociable but can become bored very easily if there’s a lack of stimulation
Introvert: reliable + in control of their emotions
Neurotics: very anxious + often irrational in their decision making- emotions cloud their judgment
Stables: calm and emotionally in control
Psychoticism: cold, aggressive + uncaring
