Forensics- Psychodynamic explanations

Question 1

What are the three explanations for the psychodynamic approach?

Answer 1

-The super ego
-Maternal deprivation
-Defence mechanisms

Question 2

What is the superego?

Answer 2

-Develops around the age of 4
-Serves as person’s conscience
-Has the ability to stop behaviour
-Strong superego= feels guilt for actions, less likely to do something they think will effect others
-Not developed= conscience, ability to stop behaviour do not develop either, more likely to commit crime.
-3 types= Deviant, Overdeveloped, Underdeveloped

Question 3

What is a deviant superego?

Answer 3

-Focuses on concept of identification
-During phallic stage
-Identifies with same-sex parents to resolve Oedipus/ Electra complex
-Adopting similar behaviour to same-sex parents
-If parents have immoral behaviours, children adopt similar behaviours

Question 4

What is an overdeveloped superego?

Answer 4

-Superego is very developed
-Feels large amounts of guilt most of the time
-Would believe that they would be less likely to commit crimes, but crime acts as a relief from the guilt
-But relief only caused when caught/ punished, way of relieving conscience
-Makes individuals feel better

Question 5

What is an underdeveloped superego?

Answer 5

-Can be caused by issues between the ages of 4-6, when superego is developing
-If not developed sufficiently, ability to feel guilt/ stop behaviour impaired
-Dominated by Id impulses (act in a selfish manner and pursues pleasure)
-Lead to criminal activity

Question 6

What is the maternal deprivation hypothesis?

Answer 6

-Bowlby, early years are vital in shaping adult personality
-Receive love and care= able to grow with strong positive attachment
-Not receive secure start= have issues forming relationships later
-Distribution with primary caregiver= maternal deprivation, form negative representation of world, struggle with attachments, lead to delinquent behaviour?
-Interviewed 44 juveniles cause stealing
-Likelihood is greater if person has had an early separation from caregiver, for both delinquency and psychopathy

Question 7

What is a defence mechanism?

Answer 7

-Used by the unconscious mind to reduce anxiety
-Anxiety will weaken ego, making Id and superego dominant
-Cognitive distortions= Displacement (strong emotion is shifted from actual target to neutral one), Sublimation (Id is expressed in a more socially acceptable way), Rationalisation (when the rational way of accepting is actually very negative)

Question 8

AO3 (1)

Answer 8

-Not scientific/ falsifiable
-Shortage of empirical research testing in these ideas, not well supported
-Concepts are not empirically supported/ theoretical grounding is flawed
-Cannot be tested in the lab

Question 9

AO3 (2)

Answer 9

-Research support for maternal deprivation, Bowlby
-Retrospective study, interpreted by Bowlby himself
-Influenced by experimenter bias

Question 10

AO3 (3)

Answer 10

-Many concepts are believed to generate from the unconscious mind
-Untestable
-Not scientific/ falsifiable