AC4.1 - Policy development

Question 1

What is meant by policy and crime?

Answer 1

Policy is a rule or a strategy put in place by the government to help reduce the crime that exists in the country

Question 2

What is meant by policy development?

Answer 2

When researchers and theorists comment on causes of crime; policy makers (government) will use their findings to help them produce policies

Question 3

What are the 2 individualistic theories informing policy development?

Answer 3

• Behaviour modification

- Psychodynamic

Question 4

Who was psychoanalysis therapy founded by?

Answer 4

Freud

Question 5

What does the patient do in treatment of psychoanalysis?

Answer 5

Patients verbalise their thoughts, through a variety of methods.

Question 6

What is the aim of psychoanalysis?

Answer 6

Access the unconscious minds repressed thoughts as it’s believed to have led to criminal activity

Question 7

What are the assumptions within psychoanalysis therapy?

Answer 7

• Psychological problems which have led to repression during development are embedded in the unconscious mind
• Treatment brings the repressed thoughts to the consciousness so it can be dealt with

Question 8

Criticise the psychoanalysis therapy?

Answer 8

• Least favourable approach to working with criminals
• Time consuming
• Psychological harm due to unwanted thoughts

Question 9

What is an aim of behaviour modification?

Answer 9

• Reinforced behaviours are strengthened

- Punished behaviours are weakened

Question 10

What is a type of behaviour modification?

Answer 10

• Token economy

Question 11

What is token economy based on?

Answer 11

Operant conditioning - reinforcing desirable behaviour with a token that can be exchanged for a reward

Question 12

Who conducted research into token economy as a behaviour modification for offenders?

Answer 12

Fo and O’Donnell (1975)

Question 13

Explain the research of Fo and O’Donnell 1975

Answer 13

Devised a ‘buddy system’ where adult volunteers were assigned to a young offender to provide consistent reinforcement for socially acceptable ways of acting

Question 14

What are 2 other types of behaviour modification - explain?

Answer 14

• Social skill training - aims to improve skills to become more socially competent however it does not work long-term (Link to Eysenck)
• Anger management- aims to avoid violent offences taking place by people unable to control anger. (Link to cognitive theory)

Question 15

What are 2 other types of behaviour modification - explain?

Answer 15

• Social skill training - aims to improve skills to become more socially competent however it does not work long-term
• Anger management- aims to avoid violent offences taking place by people unable to control anger.

Question 16

What % of patients improved using psychoanalysis treatment?

Answer 16

• Only 44% of patients showed improvement,

Question 17

What is meant by informal policy making?

Answer 17

Non-official methods of preventing crime such as family rules.

Question 18

What is meant by formal policy making?

Answer 18

Official methods of preventing crimes such as prison

Question 19

What is meant by crime control policy?

Answer 19

Methods taken by a society to reduce crime

Question 20

Explain crime control policy in relation to the learning theory.

Answer 20

• Schools, colleges, homes and prison
• Can be informal policies
• Positive reinforcement to encourage effort in class or the removal of facilities (punishment)

Question 21

Give an example of a crime control policy.

Answer 21

Incapacitation

Question 22

What is meant by state policy?

Answer 22

A state’s chosen way to punish and prevent criminal acts

Question 23

State 2 state policies.

Answer 23

• Rehabilitation (Psychodynamic and learning theory)

- Probation (Operant conditioning)