Criminology Chapter 3

Question 1

What is the purpose of psychological perspectives?

Answer 1

Psychological theories focuses on individuals who become criminals more specifically explaining what biological and personality factors led to criminal behavior

Question 2

Explain The Freud & Psychoanalytic/psychodynamic theory

Answer 2

Developed in the 1800s and went against popular thinking of the time that humans were RATIONAL beings who had control over their behavior
Freud believed that much of our behavior and personality Is motivated by unconscious desires and needs.

(Important Section)
He suggested that a person’s psychological well-being is dependent on a healthy interaction among the three components of your personality: the ID, EGO, AND SUPEREGO.

Question 3

Explain what the: ID, EGO, and SUPEREGO do psychologically?

Answer 3

The ID will see something and Try to obtain gratification no matter what. Superego is your conscience telling you to do the right things, while ID will lead to wrong things. And your EGO is the middle ground.

The ID drives urges and gratification, it seeks pleasure and gratification; it is the most primitive part of your personality. It Is present from birth and resides in your unconscious mind.

The SUPEREGO is the moral code or conscience. It develops in childhood and Is responsible for producing feelings of guilt; it is housed in your unconscious and preconscious mind.

The EGO is the moderator between the superego and the ID, it also develops in childhood. It is guided by the reality principle and therefore mainly resides in your conscious mind. It tries to meet the demands of the ID within the limits set by society.

(Examples: Cheating on a diet, going out on a school night)

Question 4

What are the 6 ways psychoanalysts have used Freud’s ideas to explain criminal Behavior?

Answer 4

1. ID domination: Individuals who are overly impulsive and seek immediate gratification. Results In being deprived in childhood, as adults they are immature and overly dependent, often susceptible to peer pressure.
2. Underdeveloped Superego: An individual mainly acts on impulse and does not follow or understand society’s rules and therefore feels little guilt about harming others and breaking the law; doesn’t consider the feelings of others or the difference between right and wrong.
3. Deviant identification: Adopt deviant values from a parent who is routinely engaged in criminal activity.
4. Unconscious Need for Punishment: (Overactive SuperEGO)
   Actions, including crime, are a product of unconscious desires, needs and feelings. Criminals are sometimes plagued with guilt for these feelings and compulsively seek punishment by committing these crimes. These Individuals experience an excessive amount of guilt.
5. Displaced Hostility: A person shifts rage from one Individual to another later in life (e.g. rage due to abandonment by mother, may abuse or harass women In adulthood).
6. Neuroses; Stealing and committing other crimes are examples of compulsive behaviors due to fears or needs.

Question 5

Explain Bowlbys maternal deprivation theory

Answer 5

John. Bowlby, believed that early childhood attachments played a critical role in their development and functioning.

He believed that children are born with a biologically programmed tendency to seek and remain close to attachment figures.

Failure of a child to develop an attachment to a mother figure
Significant separation from a mother during the first five years of life
Loss of a mother during the first five years of life

He proposed that the long term consequences of maternal deprivation might include: delinquency, reduced intelligence, Increased aggression, depression, and affectionless psychopathy.

Question 6

Explain the psychological attachment theory?

Answer 6

The central theme of attachment theory is that primary caregivers who are avellebie and responsive to an infant’s needs allow the child to develop a sense of security. The Infant knows that the caregiver is dependable, which creates a secure base for the child to then explore the world.

Question 7

What are Bowlbys 4 distinguishing characteristics of attachment? And explain them

Answer 7

Bowlby believed that there are four distinguishing Characteristics of Attachment:

Proximity maintenance. The desire to be near the people we are attached to.

Safe haven: Returning to the attachment figure for comfort and safety in the face of a fear or threat.

Secure base: The attachment figure acts as a base of security from which the child can explore the surrounding environment.

Separation distress: Anxiety that occurs in the absence of the attachment figure.

Question 8

Explain Harlow Maternal Deprivation Studies

Answer 8

Harlow’s studies on maternal deprivation and social Isolation also explored early bonds. In a series of experiments, Harlow demonstrated how such bonds emerge and the powerful impact they have on behaviour and functioning.

So Harlow’s experiment demonstrated that Infants depend on their caregivers for more than just their physical needs: meeting emotional needs is crucial for attachment and therefore, early attachments were the result of receiving comfort and care from a caregiver rather than simply the result of being fed.

Question 9

Explain Mary Ainsworth Infant mother attachment

Answer 9

Secure attachment sets up positive emotional development later in life, while failure to form attachments early in life can have a negative effect on behavior in later childhood and throughout life.

Avoidant or resistant attachment can cause a child to experience difficult emotional development and a negative self concept early in life, which can also cause many problems as he/she grows and develops.

Question 10

What were the results from Mary ainsworths strange situation study?

Answer 10

Results: Attachment Types:

Secure (70%)

Had consistent support and care, caregiver is emotionally available, sensitive and supportive
Infant happily explored the environment
When caregiver left, infant was visibly upset but responded with happiness when the caregiver Returned

Avoidant (20%)

Received less reliable care, caregiver is rejecting.
Infant was extremely upset when the caregiver left but were ambivalent when she returned and refused to play with her

Resistant (10%)

Received inconsistent care at times, the caregiver is very responsive while at other times rejecting
Infants did not explore very much regardless of whether or not their caregiver was in the room.

Conclusions:

Secure attachment sets up positive emotional development later on in life, while failure to form attachments early in life can have a negative effect on behavior in later childhood and throughout life.

Avoidant or resistant attachment can set a child up for difficult emotional development and a negative self concept very early in life, which can cause many problems as he/she grows and develops.

Question 11

What is a psychopath?

Answer 11

are incapable of empathy and forming loving relationships.
However, they can pretend to be charming and loving, so those around them can’t always detect their lack of empathy.
Psychopaths also have no conscience or moral compass, so they do not feel guilt.
They are often highly Intelligent and can channel their tendencies into lawful behaviour: (could’ve had secure attachment growing up, channeling characteristics into lawful actions) (doesn’t stand out in society)

Question 12

What is a sociopath?

Answer 12

Sociopaths on the other hand, are capable of empathy and guilt. While sociopaths are impulsive, hot-tempered and erratic, they may form attachments to some people or groups. They tend to live on the fringes of society. (Stands out in society)

Question 13

What is the differences between sociopaths & psychopaths

Answer 13

Psychopath:

Criminal Behavior: Tendency to participate in schemes and take calculated risks to minimize evidence or exposure.

Criminal Predispositions: Tendency for premeditated crimes with controllable risks, criminal opportunities fraud calculated or opportunistic violence .

Sociopath:

Criminal Behavior: Tendency to leave clues and act on impulse

Criminal Predispositions: Tendency for impulse or opportunistic criminal behavior, excessive risk taking impulse, or opportunistic violence.

Question 14

What is Anti Personality Disorder (APD)?

Answer 14

APD focuses on the Individual conduct (behavior) rather than the
personality characteristics.

Generally it involves a pattern of disregard for the rights of others, from childhood to adulthood.
Examples: Lying, stealing, fighting, irresponsibility, aggressive sexuel behavior, substance abuse, poor/inconsistent work performance,
unlawful behavior.

• Those considered psychopaths may function in society without breaking laws and may not qualify as having APD and many with APD are not considered psychopaths. For example, highly intelligent psychopaths may channel their tendencies Into simply being ruthless In business dealings and maybe a successful CEO with a family

Question 15

How does psychopathy develop?

Answer 15

1) Brain Development:

a) Structural and functional differences - such as the prefrontal cortex, responsible for sentiments such as empathy and guilt and amygdala which mediates fear and anxiety

b) Electrical activity in the brain is abnormal - leads to immature, impulsive and self centered behavior

2) Under responsive autonomic nervous system: accounts for low anxiety levels in the face of danger = excessive risk taking and explains why they respond poorly to threat of punishment,

3. Nurture: Face parental loss as a child, had cold and distant parents, inconsistent punishment, had psychopathic parents or parents whose indulgence reinforced antisocial behavior

Question 16

Explain Behavior Theory?

Answer 16

According to behavior theory all human behavior is shaped by learning, and humans are passive individuals who are influenced by their environment. Instead of personality, behavior is the key factor in understanding criminality.

One type of learning is called Operant Conditioning. If a behavior is rewarded, it’s likely to be repeated, promoting desirable behavior through positive reinforcement. On the other hand, if a behavior leads to pain or something unpleasant, it will eventually stop (punishment).

When we apply this to crime, if criminal behavior results in more rewards than punishments, it will continue. The outcomes of behavior, like how certain, severe, or quick the consequences are, can either encourage or discourage the behavior

E.G. Speeding - has little to do with the personality of the driver, moreso on the certainty, intensity and promptness of the punishment VS. the extent to which driving fast is rewarding to the driver, if this behavior has been more often positively reinforced, It will continue.

Question 17

Explain Social Learning Theory

Answer 17

This theory is based on the idea that behavior is the product of one’s life experience. According to theorist Albert Bandura learning may proceed through:

Learning vicariously: People learn behaviors by watching and then imitating others, aggressive acts are said to be modeled after three main sources - the family, community and the mass media.

Direct Personal experience: We learn through trial and error, we remember the past and use its lessons to avoid future mistakes, we want favorable outcomes.

Question 18

What is criminal profiling?

Answer 18

An investigative tool, that infers offender characteristics from the analysis of the offenders behaviour, their interaction with the crime scene and victim and their choices during the crime.

Profilers:
Individuals who examine evidence from the crime scene, victims and witnesses in an attempt to construct an accurate psychological (psychopathology, personality and behavior) and demographic description of the individual who committed the crime.

Question 19

What are the goals of criminal profiling?

Answer 19

Goals of criminal profiling:

Supply offender characteristics (helps
Investigators to narrow the field of suspects)

Understand behavior more completely

Provide new areas of inquiry

Keep investigation on track

Question 20

What is an organized criminal and a disorganized criminal?

Answer 20

Organized - reflects a great deal of planning, in which little evidence is left behind.

Disorganized - reflects an impulsive unplanned crime, in which a lot of evidence is left behind.

Some see this classification as too simplistic, however, it allows investigators to draw conclusions about the offender based on crime scene evidence.

Question 21

What are the 4 types of male serial killers?

Answer 21

1. Visionary Type: Feels compelled to murder because he hears voices or sees visions (auditory and visual hallucinations)
   ordering/directing him to kill certain kinds of people. Often described by others, at the very least, as odd and at the very worst, psychotic. i.e. David Berkowitz “The Son of Sam”
2. Mission-oriented type: Seeks to kill a specific group of people who he believes are unworthy to live or undesirable and without whom the world would be better place. His everyday acquaintances frequently will describe them as an average or fine citizen. i.e. Alek Minassian
3. Hedonistic Type: This type kills for the thrill of it. Such killers simply enjoy the act of killing. Sexual arousal is common with this type of murder. i.e. Jeffery Dahmer
4. Power-oriented type: This type kills because he enjoys exerting ultimate control over his victims. These murderers are obsessed with capturing and controlling their victims and forcing them to obey their every command. i.e. Ted Bundy.

Question 22

What are the 4 types of female serial killers? Explain them too

Answer 22

1. Black widows: A woman who systematically murders a number of spouses, family members, children or individuals outside the family with whom she has a close relationship. She kills for two motives: profit and jealousy - they are often lured into murder by the proceeds of life insurance. Poison is the most favoured of her methods, used 87% of the time. i.e. Judy Buenoano
2. Angel Of Death: These lethal caretakers are the women from whom the elderly seek support and to whom parents trust their children with. They target victims who are unable to protect or defend themselves and who are, in her own eyes, doomed to die. She often uses lethal injections or suffocation
   - weapons that are subtle and hard to detect. i.e.
   Elizabeth Wettlaufer
3. Revenge Serial Killers: They kill to ultimately seek revenge, as a result they are typically crimes of passion and circumstance. They usually take place in a limited framework of time and are uncalculated in their execution.
4. Sexual Predators: The rarest crime that is committed by a woman. So rare that American criminal history has only one reported, Aileen Wuornos, who was acting alone.

Question 23

What is Affectionless psychopathy?

Answer 23

Affectionless psychopathy is an inability to show affection or concern for others. Such individuals act on impulse with little regard for the consequences of their actions. For example, showing no guilt for antisocial behavior.

Question 24

Explain ID Domination

Answer 24

ID domination: Individuals who are overly impulsive and seek immediate gratification. Results In being deprived in childhood, as adults they are immature and overly dependent, often susceptible to peer pressure.

Question 25

Explain Underdeveloped Superego

Answer 25

Underdeveloped Superego: An individual mainly acts on impulse and does not follow or understand society’s rules and therefore feels little guilt about harming others and breaking the law; doesn’t consider the feelings of others or the difference between right and wrong.

Question 26

Explain Deviant Identification

Answer 26

Deviant identification: Adopt deviant values from a parent who is routinely engaged in criminal activity.

Question 27

Explain the Overactive Superego/unconscious need for punishment

Answer 27

Unconscious Need for Punishment: (Overactive SuperEGO)
Actions, including crime, are a product of unconscious desires, needs and feelings. Criminals are sometimes plagued with guilt for these feelings and compulsively seek punishment by committing these crimes. These Individuals experience an excessive amount of guilt.

Question 28

Explain Displaced Hostility

Answer 28

Displaced Hostility: A person shifts rage from one Individual to another later in life (e.g. rage due to abandonment by mother, may abuse or harass women In adulthood).

Question 29

Explain Neuroses

Answer 29

Neuroses; Stealing and committing other crimes of compulsive behaviors due to fears or needs.

Question 30

What does bio-phobic mean?

Answer 30

Bio-phobic” refers to being hostile or averse to the biological approach It means having a negative attitude towards biological explanations of human behavior and crime.

Question 31

Explain what the biosocial or bio behavioural perspective of crime is.

Answer 31

The biosocial or biobehavioral perspective of crime suggests that both biological and social factors interact to influence human behavior, including criminal behavior. It recognizes that a person’s biological predispositions, such as genetics or brain disorders, can interact with their social environment and upbringing to affect their likelihood of engaging in criminal activities.
(BENOIT THE BOXER)

Question 32

Explain how diseases affecting the brain may result in criminal behaviour?

Answer 32

Diseases affecting the brain can result in criminal behavior by disrupting the brain’s normal functioning, leading to changes in behavior and impulse control. Brain injuries, tumors, infections, degenerative diseases, and exposure to environmental toxins like lead can affect the brain’s regions responsible for regulating aggression and impulse control, potentially leading to violent or antisocial behavior.

Question 33

Explain what happened to Chris Benoit.

Answer 33

Chris Benoit, a professional wrestler, was found dead in his home in 2007, along with his wife and son, in a murder-suicide. While it was initially suspected that steroid abuse might have been a factor, an analysis of his brain revealed severe damage consistent with dementia. Repeated concussions from his wrestling career had contributed to this damage, leading to severe behavioral problems and potentially influencing his violent actions.

Question 34

Explain what was discovered during the twin studies.

Answer 34

Twin studies have shown that there is a significant genetic component to criminal behavior. When comparing identical twins (who share 100% of their genetic material) to fraternal twins (who share around 50% of their genetic material), researchers have found that identical twins are more likely to both engage in criminal behavior if one of them does, suggesting a genetic influence on criminality.

Question 35

What is the link between adoption and criminal behaviour? What were the final conclusions?

Answer 35

The link between adoption and criminal behavior has been studied to examine the impact of genetics versus environment. Some studies have shown that adopted children are more likely to have criminal records if their biological parents had criminal records, indicating a genetic influence. However, the final conclusions often emphasise that both genetic and environmental factors play a role in criminal behavior, with genetics predisposing individuals to certain traits and environmental factors influencing whether these traits manifest as criminal behavior.

Question 36

What is fetal alcohol syndrome? What is the fetal alcohol spectrum? Explain how there is a link to that of criminal behaviour.

Answer 36

Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is a severe condition caused by prenatal exposure to alcohol. The fetal alcohol spectrum encompasses a range of disorders resulting from alcohol exposure during pregnancy. There is a link between alcohol exposure in utero and an increased risk of behavioral problems, including aggression and criminal behavior, in individuals with FAS or related conditions.

Question 37

What does damage to the prefrontal cortex indicate?

Answer 37

Damage to the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for executive functions like impulse control and decision-making, can indicate impaired self-regulation and increased risk-taking behavior, potentially contributing to criminal behavior.

Question 38

What is ANS? What does this measuring of ANS teach us?

Answer 38

ANS (Autonomic Nervous System) is a part of the nervous system responsible for involuntary bodily functions, such as heart rate and digestion. Measuring ANS activity can provide insights into an individual’s stress response and emotional arousal, which may be relevant in understanding criminal behavior.