Chapter 5

Question 1

Define personality

Answer 1

Personality refers to the unique set of traits, behaviors, thoughts, and emotions that characterize an individual. It shapes how people interact with others and respond to various situations, forming a consistent pattern over time.

Question 2

Psychodynamic perspective of personality

Answer 2

The psychodynamic perspective, rooted in Freud’s theories, emphasizes the influence of unconscious motives and early childhood experiences on personality development. It suggests that behavior is driven by internal conflicts, often between primal desires and societal expectations.

Question 3

Trait perspective of personality

Answer 3

The trait perspective posits that personality is made up of enduring traits that can be measured and quantified. It focuses on identifying and describing individual differences in behavior, typically using various models to categorize traits.

Question 4

Freuds theory of personality development

Answer 4

Freud proposed that personality develops through a series of stages during childhood, each characterized by different conflicts centered on erogenous zones. Successful navigation of these stages leads to a healthy personality, while unresolved conflicts can result in fixation.

Question 5

ID

Answer 5

Id: The primitive part of the mind that operates on the pleasure principle, seeking immediate gratification.

Question 6

EGO

Answer 6

Ego: The rational part that operates on the reality principle, mediating between the desires of the id and the demands of the external world.

Question 7

Super ego

Answer 7

Superego: The moral component that internalizes societal values and norms, often in conflict with the id.

Question 8

Reality principle

Answer 8

Reality Principle: The guiding principle of the ego that seeks to satisfy the id’s desires in realistic and socially acceptable ways.

Question 9

Defense mechanisms

Answer 9

Defense Mechanisms: Psychological strategies used by the ego to protect itself from anxiety arising from conflicts between the id and superego.

Question 10

Five defence mechanisms

Answer 10

Repression: Unconsciously blocking unacceptable thoughts or memories.
Denial: Refusing to accept reality or facts.
Projection: Attributing one’s own unacceptable feelings to others.
Rationalization: Offering logical explanations for irrational behavior.
Displacement: Redirecting emotions to a safer target.

Question 11

Freuds stages of psychosexual development

Answer 11

Oral Stage (0-1 year): Pleasure centers on the mouth.
Anal Stage (1-3 years): Pleasure focuses on bowel and bladder control.
Phallic Stage (3-6 years): Focus on the genitals; Oedipus/Electra complex.
Latency Stage (6-puberty): Sexual feelings are dormant.
Genital Stage (puberty onward): Maturation of sexual interests.

Question 12

Define fixation

Answer 12

Fixation occurs when an individual becomes stuck in one of the psychosexual stages, leading to behaviors and personality traits associated with that stage in adulthood.

Question 13

Andrew’s and Bonita’s 4 major offender types

Answer 13

Noncriminals: Low risk, no criminal behavior.
Low-level Offenders: Minor offenses; may have low self-control.
Moderate Offenders: More serious offenses; impulsive behavior.
High-level Offenders: Engaged in serious and persistent crime; often show traits like antisocial personality.

Question 14

Hydraulic model of aggression

Answer 14

This model suggests that aggression builds up within an individual like pressure in a hydraulic system and must be released, often through frustration or provocation.

Question 15

Define catharsis

Answer 15

Catharsis refers to the process of releasing and thereby providing relief from strong or repressed emotions, often linked to the idea of expressing aggression to reduce tension.

Question 16

Bowlbys theory of attachment

Answer 16

Bowlby posited that early attachments between a child and caregiver are crucial for psychological development, influencing emotional bonds and relationships later in life.

Question 17

Explain the strange situation

Answer 17

The Strange Situation is a structured observational study designed by Mary Ainsworth to assess attachment styles in infants by observing their reactions to separations and reunions with caregivers.

Question 18

Four infant attachment styles

Answer 18

Secure: Comfortable with intimacy; seeks closeness.
Avoidant: Uncomfortable with closeness; avoids emotional connection.
Ambivalent: Anxious and uncertain; seeks closeness but also resists it.
Disorganized: Lacks a clear attachment strategy; often shows confused behaviors.

Question 19

Internal working models

Answer 19

These are mental representations of self and others formed in childhood through attachment experiences. They guide expectations and interactions in relationships throughout life.

Question 20

Four adult attachment styles

Answer 20

Secure: Trusting and stable relationships.
Anxious-preoccupied: High anxiety about relationships, often overly dependent.
Dismissive-avoidant: Values independence, often emotionally distant.
Fearful-avoidant: Desires closeness but fears it, leading to ambivalence.

Question 21

Attachment nd criminal behaviour

Answer 21

Research indicates that insecure attachment styles can correlate with higher instances of criminal behavior due to difficulties in forming stable relationships and managing emotions.

Question 22

Cardinal, central, and secondary traits

Answer 22

Cardinal Traits: Dominant traits that define a person’s personality.
Central Traits: General characteristics that form the basis of personality.
Secondary Traits: Specific traits that are situational and less consistent.

Question 23

Five factor model of personality

Answer 23

Also known as the Big Five, this model includes:
Openness: Creativity and willingness to try new things.
Conscientiousness: Organization and dependability.
Extraversion: Sociability and assertiveness.
Agreeableness: Compassion and cooperativeness.
Neuroticism: Emotional instability and anxiety.

Question 24

Eysencks theory of criminal personality

Answer 24

Eysenck proposed that personality traits, particularly extraversion, neuroticism, and psychoticism, are linked to criminal behavior, suggesting that certain traits predispose individuals to criminality.

Question 25

Impulsivity and criminal behaviour

Answer 25

Impulsivity is associated with a lack of self-control and difficulty in delaying gratification, traits that can lead to higher risk of engaging in criminal activities.

Question 26

Gottfredson and Hirsdhis general theory of crime

Answer 26

This theory posits that low self-control is the primary factor leading to criminal behavior. It suggests that individuals with low self-control are more likely to engage in risky and impulsive behaviors.

Question 27

Define personality disorder, anti social, narcissistic

Answer 27

Personality Disorder: A pervasive pattern of behavior that deviates markedly from cultural expectations, causing distress or impairment.
Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD): Characterized by a disregard for others’ rights, lack of empathy, and often criminal behavior.
Narcissistic Personality Disorder: Marked by a pervasive pattern of grandiosity, need for admiration, and lack of empathy.

Question 28

ASPD and crime

Answer 28

Individuals with ASPD are more likely to engage in criminal behavior due to their disregard for societal norms and lack of remorse for their actions.

Question 29

Narcissistic personality disorder and aggression

Answer 29

Those with narcissistic personality disorder may exhibit aggression when their self-esteem is threatened, leading to reactive behaviors such as anger or vindictiveness.