evaluating individualistic theories in causing criminality

Question 1

bandura’s social learning theory

Answer 1

-

Question 2

strengths

Answer 2

-

Question 3

models impact

Answer 3

showed the models did have an impact on the children - showed cause and effect

Question 4

variable controls

Answer 4

the experiment and variables, e.g gender and actions of the model, were controlled. shows accuracy

Question 5

reliability

Answer 5

the study has been replicated with slight changes and similar results have been found

Question 6

weaknesses

Answer 6

-

Question 7

low validity

Answer 7

a lab study of imitation which means low validity. the child and model are strangers in a limited social situation

Question 8

observed behaviour

Answer 8

not all observed behaviour is easily imitated - we may see criminals rewarded but lack the skills to copy

Question 9

deterministic

Answer 9

ignores free will of humans - deterministic (behaviour caused by external forces)

Question 10

ethical issues

Answer 10

ethical issues due to exposing the children to aggression with the understanding that they would imitate it - mental and physical harm

Question 11

psychodynamic theories - freud

Answer 11

-

Question 12

strengths

Answer 12

-

Question 13

influence

Answer 13

some influence on policies for dealing with crime and deviance - childhood experiences and importance of them on future behaviour should not be underestimated

Question 14

understanding

Answer 14

points to importance of socialisation and early family relationships in understanding criminal behaviour

Question 15

weaknesses

Answer 15

-

Question 16

critics

Answer 16

critics doubt the existence of the unconscious mind

Question 17

quantitative

Answer 17

lack of quantitive data - he knew his patients and therefore could not be objective.

Question 18

is it scientific?

Answer 18

unscientific and subjective - different analysts may draw different conclusions

Question 19

psychological theories - eysenck’s criminal personality type

Answer 19

-

Question 20

strengths

Answer 20

-

Question 21

tendencies

Answer 21

describes how some measurable tendencies may lead to criminality

Question 22

hospitals

Answer 22

research on soldiers in hospital supported this theory - he predicted most traumatised soldiers would score high on neurotic

Question 23

tests

Answer 23

his personality testing has formed the basis of many modern personality tests that try to predict people’s behaviour

Question 24

weaknesses

Question 25

reliability

Answer 25

lack of reliability as people may not respond the same to the same questions every time

Question 26

genetic

Answer 26

this theory suggests that personality is genetic and fails to consider that it may change over time

Question 27

self reports

Answer 27

self report questionnaires - may lie making the results invalid