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Criminal psychology Flashcards

1
Q

How does CBT work

A

Gives offenders an insight into faulty cognitions and identify maladaptive thinking.
Aims to change faulty cognition to change criminal behaviour to prosocial behaviour

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2
Q

What are the three stages of Anger management

A

Cognitive preparation
Skill acquisition
Application practice

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3
Q

What is cognitive preparation in AMP

A

Getting offenders to think about their aggression
Think about their patterns of anger (when, why) and the impact of their anger
Often asked to keep an anger diary on what happened and why it happened

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4
Q

What is skill acquisition in AMP

A

Learn skills to help manage your anger
Can be behavioural: Meditation, breathing, Redirecting anger (through things like sport) and removal from situation
Can be Cognitive like imagery or mantra - say things over and over

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5
Q

What is application practice in AMP

A

Offender puts the learned skills into practice
Done in a controlled environment so offender feels safe and can be talked through
Role play in group settings
‘Homework’ - Practice skills are recorded in anger diary

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6
Q

3 strengths of AMP

A
  1. Howells - improved understanding of anger 1.18 compared to control group 0.95 also after AMP anger control mean 20.7 to 22.2
  2. Ireland - 92% of 50 young offenders showed improvement and reduction in anger felt
  3. Long term benefits - teaches to control anger long term in everyday life whereas have to be on drugs all life
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7
Q

3 weaknesses of AMP

A

Issues with supporting research - Howells found that it had little to no effect after 6 months so not long term
Cannot treat all offenders - 2022 prison stats showed 69% weren’t violent offenders so doesn’t treat them
Reductionist - only considers role of cognition and not other factors like hormones e.g. testosterone

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8
Q

Generally how would hormone therapy work to reduce criminal behaviour

A

Drugs work by counterbalancing hormones responsible for criminal behaviour in the offenders body
A forensic psychologist will prescribe a suitable dosage which they will likely take daily either orally (self-regulated) or via injection (monitored)

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9
Q

Risperidone - hormone treatment

A

Influences dopamine levels by blocking dopamine receptors which reduces dopamine activity in the body leading to a decrease in criminal behaviour - LeBlanc et al
Potential side effects of Drowsiness, anxiety, weight gain

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10
Q

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) - hormone treatment

A

Influences serotonin as it block serotonin reuptake which increases serotonin activity at receptors which reduces levels of criminal behaviour - Lievesley et al
Potential side effects of dizziness, diarrhoea, loss of sex drive

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11
Q

Medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) - hormone treatment

A

Is similar to the progesterone in the body and is given when body isn’t making enough of it
Influences testosterone as it increases progesterone levels which breaks down testosterone produced in pituitary gland which reduces criminal behaviour - Maletzky
Potential side effects of insomnia. acne, depression

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12
Q

3 Strengths of hormone treatment of offenders

A

LeBlanc et al - Adolescent boys diagnosed with conduct or oppositional disorder who took risperidone experienced 56.4% reduced aggressive behaviour compared to control
Lievesley et al - Semi structured interviews with 13 sex offenders on SSRI found reduced sexual urges and sexually deviant thinking
Maletzky - When sexual offenders took MPA over 3 years, reoffending rates were 1% so is effective at reducing recidivism

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13
Q

3 weaknesses of hormone treatment

A

Opposing evidence - Couppis and Kennedy found dopamine may be a consequence of aggressive behaviour rather than a cause. T/F treating high dopamine is not addressing the cause
Reductionist - Only considers role of biology and hormone levels like test and doesn’t consider role of cognition and changing faulty cognition via AMP

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14
Q

How does the Pre-frontal cortex link to criminal behaviour

A

If its damaged they have less control over impulses and act instinctively so could lead to CB
Responsible for decision making - damage may cause poor decisions and act inappropriately (CB)
Damage effects ability to consider consequences and alternative ways to behave, can lead to CB

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15
Q

How does the amygdala link to criminal behaviour

A

Responsible for responding to stimuli in environment, may trigger F/F. Fight may be triggered causing CB
When activated overrides rational part of brain so act irrational and perceive everything as threat, lead to CB
Damage leads to less emotion control may cause CB as aggressive outbursts cant be controlled or stopped
Psychopaths have been found to have small amygdala meaning they cant feel bad.

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16
Q

How does the hypothalamus link to criminal behaviour

A

Maintains homeostasis and regulates hormones
Damage may be unable to regulate testosterone, increased CB
Regulates release of NTs - high level of dopamine are linked to high levels of aggression which leads to CB

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17
Q

3 strengths of brain damage explaining CB

A

Case study of Phineas Gage - Metal pole through PFC, changed from well mannered to being aggressive
Raine - Found difference in brain activity between murderers NGRI and non murderers. More in right side amygdala and hypothalamus and less in PFC and left amygdala
Supporting research is scientific - Raine used PET scans which is requires specialist equipment and workers

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18
Q

3 weaknesses of brain damage explaining CB

A

Fallon - Scanned individuals using MRI and identified one with small amygdala as psychopathic. Later found it was his own brain. TF smaller amygdala doesn’t cause CB so decrease validity
Kreutzer - found without the presence of substance abuse history, traumatic brain injury was not a risk factor for CB. TF reductionist as doesn’t consider things other than brain damage
Reductionist - only considers nature of brain activity and damage and not nurture like social factors like imitating crim role model.

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19
Q

What is Eysenks personality theory

A

Criminal behaviour is a consequence of our genetic personality
Criminals tend to score high on a PEN personality
Particular nervous system causes a predisposition to criminality
However environment plays a role as interaction between environment and genetics causes predisposition leading to CB

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20
Q

Psychoticism

A

Less clear on how P is related to functionality of nervous system. Suggested link to male hormones like testosterone but little research to suggest it
Less likely to show empathy and care for others or their emotions causing no remorse or guilt for CB

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21
Q

Extravert

A

RAS regulates arousal. So person seeks external stimulation to readdress balance and reach optimal arousal. Low levels arousal means more stimulation from environment needed
Need for stimulation so risk take more to reach higher arousal lead to CB.

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22
Q

Neurotic

A

Linked to levels of reactivity in ANS. Neurotic has it more reactive specifically the sympathetic brain responsible for fight or flight. Quick to turn on and release adrenaline and slow to turn off.
‘Fight response’ easily triggered, output emotional outburst leads to CB on impulse

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23
Q

2 strengths of PEN

A

Practical applications - PEN could be used to identify individuals that may be at risk of committing crime so cautions can be put in place especially if identified in childhood. TF aid reducing crim in society
Holistic - Genetic predisposition interacts with environment in high PEN and that’s what triggers nervous system. TF nature and nurture so considers the complexity

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24
Q

2 weaknesses of PEN

A

Farrington - reviewed 16 studies of relationship of P,E and N and found majority of cases offenders had high P+N not E. TF reducing validity
Self completed questionnaire - EPI given to criminals who may answer in a socially desirable way so not to blame could reduce sentence decreasing validity.

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25
Q

What is XYY syndrome

A

Genetic condition that occurs when a male has an extra Y chromosome within the 23rd pair.
Many men with it don’t know they have it
Most boys with it will grow faster and taller than their siblings as well as some having around 10-15 lower IQ points below siblings.
They will be more impulsive and more physically active. Also leads to overly aggressive and lack empathy.

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26
Q

2 strengths of XYY syndrome

A

Practical application - In knowing XYY are more physically active we could direct them sport so energy is socially acceptable. TF reduce CB in society and society safe place
Gosavi - 94 convicted murderers in India and found association between CB and XYY. TF suggesting theory is valid as mutation is found within criminals.

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26
Q

2 weaknesses of XYY syndrome

A

Reductionist - Only considers role of nature and chromosomes not nurture like O+I criminal role models. TF too simplistic
Witkin - No direct link between crim and XYY once background variables were controlled among 4591 Danish men. TF reduced validity of theory so XYY is not solely responsible.

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27
Q
A
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28
Q

What is the labelling theory

A

Theory suggests that behaviour is seen as criminal as society says it is by creating a label to a behaviour. Expectations that others have of someone and labelling occurs when general broad terms are used to describe members of a group.

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29
Q

What is SPATSS May Follow

A

Stereotypes
Power structure
Ascribed
Treated
Stigmatized
Self image
Marginalised
Fulfil the label

30
Q

Stereotypes, Power structure, ascribed

A

Society creates a criminal/deviant label to a particular behaviour based on stereotypes
Authorities are maintaining their power structure in society
Deviant behaviour is shown by individual and label is ascribed to them.

31
Q

Treated, stigmatized, self image

A

Individual may be treated according to that deviant label
Lead to individual becoming stigmatized within society
Individual believes label and have low self image of themselves

32
Q

Marginalised, fulfil the label

A

Others treat them based on label. They feel marginalised within society
Lead to the individual to fulfil the label and commit more criminal behaviour

33
Q

2 strengths of labelling theory

A

Liebermann - found previously arrested juveniles were more likely to commit other crimes compared to non previously arrested ones. TF criminal label leads to CB increasing validity
Practical application

34
Q

2 weaknesses of labelling theory

A

Unscientific - difficult to experimentally research it. Hard to isolate labelling on its own and set an experiment where some p’s are labelled and some aren’t. TF cant establish cause and effect
Reductionist - only role of nurture that society gives you a crim label doesn’t consider nature e.g. Raine et al found… . TF too simplistic

35
Q

First stage of self fulfilling prophecy

A

Prophecy is set - deviant label is given to you by other people. This can due to stereotypes people have and beliefs about the person

36
Q

Second stage of self fulfilling prophecy

A

Once the label has been given other people will then behave towards the person according to that deviant label.

37
Q

Third stage of self fulfilling prophecy

A

Once the label has been given to the individual and they are being treated in a deviant way, person internalises the label and begins to change their beliefs about them based on the deviant label

38
Q

Fourth stage of self fulfilling prophecy

A

Once they have internalised the deviant label they will then behave according to the deviant label so the prophecy is fulfilled.

39
Q

2 strengths of self fulfilling prophecy

A

Practical applications - Knowing deviant labels lead to fulfilling them we should educate society such as in education to avoid giving labels. TF reducing CB and recidivism
Rosenthal and Jacobson - students labelled as bloomers had improved IQ and thrived for 2 years compared to others in class. TF label given can change behaviour so criminal one can do as well

40
Q

2 weaknesses of self fulfilling prophecy

A

Reductionist - only role of nurture where person internalises and fulfils criminal label and not nature like brain damage e.g. raine found… . TF too simplistic
Correlational research - Only a relationship between 2 co variables of giving crim label and acting as criminal cant say one causes other as other factors could effect. TF cant establish cause and effect

41
Q

Explain a psych formation (4)

A

Psych formation aims to generate a hypothesis of whats led to someones CB and why they continue to commit a crime
PF should be short and focus on key features such as personal relationships, personality and personal history
PF aims to find patterns in behaviour and apply psych knowledge to explain the patterns of crime
PF’s often part of court process to judge mental capacity of criminal and help with type of sentencing if they reoffend.

42
Q

2 strengths of psych formations

A

Ghaderi - found a PF can be effective in predicting effective treatments for different criminals. TF reduce recidivism rates increasing validity
Beneficial for treatment purposes - Looking at individual and recommending specific treatments just for them based solely on their experiences and patterns. TF increased reliability

43
Q

2 weaknesses of psych formations

A

Reductionist - Oversimplifies complex CB looking only at experiences and relationships not biology. TF treatments not effective as too simplistic view.
Schulte - found that formulation based therapy was less effective than flooding. TF decreasing validity of PF as flooding can be used

44
Q

What are the 4 ethical principles for understanding psych formations

A
  1. Act in best interest of criminal
  2. Maintain records appropriately
  3. Quality of practice
  4. Work and communicate effectively with others
45
Q

Define a case study (4)

A

An in depth detailed investigation conducted on an individual criminal or small group or institution of criminals.
Use range of methods by triangulations to study criminal response to treatments using both quant and qual such as observations, brain scans and interviews.
Often longitudinal as stay with criminal over a long period of time to see changes in offending and see if treatments reduce CB.
Collect primary and secondary data such as observations of their behaviour as secondary such as crim record from police.

46
Q

Aim of Howells

A

See whether AMP is more effective in producing change than no treatment for violent offenders.

47
Q

What is the sample of Howells

A

418 male participants mean age 28.8 who were referred to AMP in South and Western Australia
73% had not completed AMP before

48
Q

What is the procedure of Howells

A

285 completed the post intervention assessment with 78 completing 2 month follow up
Control ample selected from P’s who were waiting list for AMP
Offender attended programmes that lasted approximately 20 hours
Used Novacos framework
Number of measures taken before after treatment and 2 months later: Self report questionnaire measured anger (novaco anger scale)
Staff also completed observational rating scale for each p’pant recorded how much anger they could see.

49
Q

What were the findings of Howells

A

Improved understanding of anger, experimental group mean 1.18 compared to control 0.95, also found after AMP moree control over anger mean 20.7 to 22.2.

50
Q

Conclusion of Howells

A

Offenders who were motivated to change showed greatest improvements and those who lacked it showed less or no change
AMP is useful in educational sense but not overall for reducing aggression

51
Q

2 strengths of Howells

A

Mundane realism - 418 male p’pants already referred to AMP before being sampled. TF task of doing AMP is realistic to their everyday life increasing generalisability
Standardised Framework - used CBT principles based on Novacos frameworks including relaxation techniques and relapse prevention meant they all received same content. TF increasing reliability of AMP in producing change within violent offenders.

52
Q

2 weaknesses of Howells

A

Pop validity - 418 males all referred to AMP in South western Australia meaning ethnocentric and androcentric. TF unrepresentative cant be generalised beyond.
Cause and effect - Manipulation of IV (AMP) we cant be sure caused change in DV (aggression) may have been due to extraneous variables such as others in prison. TF no cause and effect decrease validity of AMP.

53
Q

Aim of Maletzky

A

Review sexual offenders who have been treated using MPA to establish how effective MPA is in treating offenders.

54
Q

Sample of Maletzky

A

Retrospective chart review was undertaken of 5132 sexual offenders enrolled in a private practice sexual abuse clinic.
First 100 cases given MPA were selected and 100 offenders who weren’t given MPA were used a s a control group matched on age and marital and employment status

55
Q

Procedure of Maletzky

A

Patients first reviewed potential side effects and signed a consent form
Patients received MPA via injection averaging 250 mg every 2 weeks
All patients within experimental and control group received combos of behavioural, cognitive, group and family therapy.
Data was collected on re-offense rate while receiving the medication and up to 36 months after treatment starts. Re-offense was determined from patient and significant other open ended questionnaires and interviews.

56
Q

Findings of Maletzky

A

Over 3 year period 1% of MPA patients reoffended when receiving the drug.
Control group: 2 reoffended within 4.5 months and over a 3 year span 4 more reoffended so 6 reoffenders overall 6%.

57
Q

Conclusion of Maletzky

A

MPA is effective to use with certain sexual offenders enrolled in community based treatment programs as it reduces sexual drive in men without side effects.

58
Q

2 strengths of Maletzky

A

Ecological validity - received MPA in every day setting of sexual abuse clinic so behaviour is naturally occurring. TF findings of MPA being an effective treatment of sexual offenders
Practical applications - Findings showed sexual offenders benefit from the treatment especially those with hypersexual behaviours and poor sexual impulse control. TF practitioners can target these offenders to reduce recidivism rates

59
Q

2 weaknesses of Maletzky

A

Pop validity - 100 sexual offenders all male who had enrolled in a private sexual abuse clinic in America so its andro and ethnocentric. TF cant generalise and unrepresentative.
Cause and effect - reported low levels of sexual arousal and reoffending as they didn’t want to go back to prison so cant be sure its the manipulation of IV - drug causing change in DV. TF cant establish cause and effect decreasing validity.

60
Q

What are the 4 main techniques used in the cognitive interview

A

Reinstate the context at the time of the event
Report everything
Change the order in which the event is recalled
Change perspective

61
Q

Reinstate the context at the time of the event

A

Witness should recall cues from the environment and how they felt about it
Taken back to place or shown images to maximise environmental and internal cues

62
Q

Report everything

A

Free recall - not interupted
Asked to report everything as small a detail as it maybe
Hopefully will maximise accurate recall
No questions asked

63
Q

Change the order in which the event is recalled

A

Police may ask witness to recall chronologically, then backwards then from a certain point to maximise cues

64
Q

Change perspective

A

Interviewer asks witness to recall event from different viewpoints e.g. victims perspective to maximise cues

65
Q

2 strengths of cog interview

A

Geiselman - P’pants who had watched violent films and who were then interviewed 48 hours later were more likely to remember more correct items than a standard interview. TF increasing accuracy of EWT by using cog interview so increased validity
Fisher - detectives gained up to 47% more useful info from witnesses to real crimes compared to standard. TF …

66
Q

2 weaknesses of cog interview

A

Geiselman - cog interview led to slightly more incorrect items being recalled so may be less effective than standard. TF could lead to inaccurate testimonies
Practical issues - Police need to be trained which takes time and money. Often if suspect in custody only have them for a limited time period. TF reducing usefulness of CI

67
Q

Aim of Loftus and Palmer

A

Investigate how info provided to a witness after an event will influence their memory of the event.

68
Q

Sample of Loftus and Palmer

A

45 students from america

69
Q

Procedure of Loftus and Palmer

A

45 students shown 7 short film clips of car crashes.
After each clip they had to give an account of the accident and were given a questionnaire on it.
All same questions apart from 1 critical question. How fast was the car going when they “ hit, smashes, bumped, collided or contacted”

70
Q

Findings of Loftus and Palmer

A

Smashed - 40.5mph
Collided - 39.3mph
Bumped - 38.1mph
Hit - 34mph
Contacted - 31.8mph

71
Q

Conclusions of Loftus and Palmer

A

A change of word could significantly affect a witnesses’ answer to a question either because of response bias or because of memory is altered.

72
Q

2 strengths of Loftus and Palmer

A

Standardised procedure - all 45 participants received same questions, clips apart from the critical word. TF reliable
Practical application - A change of word could significantly affect a witnesses’ answer so decreased validitry of EWT

73
Q

2 weaknesses of Loftus and Palmer

A

Pop validity - 45 americnas
eco validity - highly controlled artificial setting

Psychology (6 decks)

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