evaluating individualistic theories in causing criminality Flashcards
bandura’s social learning theory
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strengths
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models impact
showed the models did have an impact on the children - showed cause and effect
variable controls
the experiment and variables, e.g gender and actions of the model, were controlled. shows accuracy
reliability
the study has been replicated with slight changes and similar results have been found
weaknesses
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low validity
a lab study of imitation which means low validity. the child and model are strangers in a limited social situation
observed behaviour
not all observed behaviour is easily imitated - we may see criminals rewarded but lack the skills to copy
deterministic
ignores free will of humans - deterministic (behaviour caused by external forces)
ethical issues
ethical issues due to exposing the children to aggression with the understanding that they would imitate it - mental and physical harm
psychodynamic theories - freud
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strengths
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influence
some influence on policies for dealing with crime and deviance - childhood experiences and importance of them on future behaviour should not be underestimated
understanding
points to importance of socialisation and early family relationships in understanding criminal behaviour
weaknesses
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critics
critics doubt the existence of the unconscious mind
quantitative
lack of quantitive data - he knew his patients and therefore could not be objective.
is it scientific?
unscientific and subjective - different analysts may draw different conclusions
psychological theories - eysenck’s criminal personality type
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strengths
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tendencies
describes how some measurable tendencies may lead to criminality
hospitals
research on soldiers in hospital supported this theory - he predicted most traumatised soldiers would score high on neurotic
tests
his personality testing has formed the basis of many modern personality tests that try to predict people’s behaviour
weaknesses
reliability
lack of reliability as people may not respond the same to the same questions every time
genetic
this theory suggests that personality is genetic and fails to consider that it may change over time
self reports
self report questionnaires - may lie making the results invalid
