Freud (Psychodynamic/Individualistic)

Question 1

What did Freud define crime as?

Answer 1

Faulty early socialisation. He believed criminals are those who don’t make the transition from the pleasure principle (id).

Question 2

What is the role of the id?

Answer 2

This is the pleasure principle. It is entirely unconscious, and it has selfish and aggressive instincts. It seeks for anything that gives them instant gratification.

Question 3

What is the role of the ego?

Answer 3

This is known as the reality check. It develops around the age of 5, and reduces conflict between the id and superego.

Question 4

What is the role of the superego?

Answer 4

This tells us what’s right and wrong, it tends to be concerned with social rules and morals. Goes off the morality principle.

Question 5

What is the unconscious?

Answer 5

It contains disturbing emotions that we keep locked away. It goes off biological drives, and has a significant influence on behaviour and personality.

Question 6

Strengths (1 detailed).

Answer 6

1. The psychoanalytic explanations have had some influence on policies for dealing with crime and deviance.
2. Points to the importance of early socialisation and family relationships in understanding criminal behaviour.
3. First person to look at importance of early socialisation and family relationships.

Question 7

Weaknesses (1 detailed).

Answer 7

1. He overestimates bad childhood experiences and how everyone with these experiences will commit crimes. This links to the labelling theory (if you generalise a certain group and stereotype their behaviour they will act on these labels). This will increase crime.
2. Only looked at males (androcentric).
3. Unscientific and subjective (relies on accepting psychoanalyst’s claims).
4. How would we know about the ‘unconscious mind’ if it is supposedly unconscious?

Question 8

According to Freud, what is a weak ego?

Answer 8

A superego that hasn’t grown. It’s not being socialised.

Question 9

How might having a ‘weak ego’ lead to criminal behaviour?

Answer 9

If your ego hasn’t developed, you won’t get that ‘reality check’ you need in order to grow up and understand you can’t always act on your selfish and aggressive urges. The conflict between your id and superego will be unresolved and will result in a disturbed personality.