Cognitive Explnation Of Offending Behaviour

Question 1

What is the mnemonic for these evaluation points?

Answer 1

. P-ersonality inconsistencies
. V-alidity problems
. C-ultural bias
. E-vidence

Question 2

Which study explored the cultural validity of Eysenck’s theory?

Answer 2

Bartol and Holanchock (1979)
- studied Hispanic and African-American offenders in a max security prison in New York
- six groups based on criminal history and nature of offences
- all six groups found to be less extrovert than a non-criminal control group

This sample was very culturally different to Eysenck’s research, questioning the generalisability of the criminal personality

Question 3

How did Eysenck’s research have imposed etic?

Answer 3

. Mainly studied white Western European participants, guilty of property crimes as this is the common crime in the culture
- however, for cultures where serious crimes are more common, the personality theory can’t be generalised

Question 4

Why is the notion of a criminal personality flawed?

Answer 4

. Personality isn’t just ‘one’ through your life, it is inconsistent
- someone may be relaxed at home but neurotic at work
- other factors such as stress can appear to alter your personality
- behaviour is situational rather than based on personality
- personality is not a stable entity as Eysenck suggests, we play different personalities based on our situations (Mischel 1998)

Question 5

Who investigated morality and why?

Answer 5

Kholbergm was unsatisfied with behaviourists and psychodynamic theories

Question 6

What are Kohlberg’s three levels of moral reasoning?

Answer 6

. Pre-morality
. Conventional morality
. Post-conventional morality

Question 7

How did Kholberg use the levels of moral reasoning to explain criminal behaviour?

Answer 7

He suggested that criminals’ moral reasoning is lower than non-criminals
- criminals have a focus on pre-conventional level 1

They believe breaking the law is justified if the rewards outweigh the costs or if punishment can be avoided

Question 8

Why would people break the law at the different stages of moral reasoning according to the Heinz dilemma?

Answer 8

1. Pre-conventional: If rewards outweigh costs
2. Conventional: If it helps maintain relationships
3. Post-conventional: If the law violates an individual’s rights

Question 9

What are the two stages of pre-conventional morality?

Answer 9

1. Punishment and obedience orientation: doing what is right out of fear of punishment
2. Hedonistic orientation: doing what is right for personal gain

Question 10

What are the two stages of conventional morality?

Answer 10

. Interpersonal concordance orientation: doing what is right according to the majority
. Law and order orientation: doing what is right because it is your duty and helps society

Question 11

What is the main stage of post-conventional morality?

Answer 11

. Social contract or legalistic orientation: doing what is right even if it is against the law as the law is too restrictive