individualistic theories

Question 1

What are the individualistic theories of criminality ?

Answer 1

Bandura
Freud
Eysenck
Operant conditioning

Question 2

What is bandura’s social learning theory ?

Answer 2

• Firstly the children were shown adults playing with bobo dolls nicely, aggressively or being physically abusive towards the doll.
• Bandura recorded behaviour and the children observed.
• It was the children’s turn and then they were filmed playing with the bobo dolls and it showed them picking up more on the bad behaviours rather than the good.
• This therefore presented you learn through observation and imitation.

Question 3

Strengths and weaknesses of bandura social learning theory ?

Answer 3

Strengths
1. the model had an effect on child’s behaviour, therefore presenting you learn through observation and imitation.
2. it’s been replicated with slight changes and similar results have been found, meaning the study is well presented and have high accuracy.
3. gender and action is controlled so more accurate

weaknesses
1. it’s a lab study so might not be fully accurate as conditions can be replicated.
2. it has an ethnical issue in exposing children to aggression, making them believe and think that it’s normal to behave that way.
3. the doll has a novelty aspect so the children may copy as they
think it’s for fun when really it is a experiment.

Question 4

What is skinner operant conditioning ?

Answer 4

It’s a learning process in which is monitored through reinforcement or punishment and can lead to a desirable outcome.

Question 5

Strengths and weaknesses of skinners theory of operant conditioning ?

Answer 5

strengths
1. states you learn from experiences and
have your own understanding of what you class as right or wrong in society.
2. if rewards are given behaviours are likely to be repeated as it’s influencing you to carry on as you get something in return.

weaknesses
1. it ignores the internal mental process such as memory, thinking or attention
2. humans have free will and will cause action

Question 6

What is eyensencks personality theory ?

Answer 6

This theory states people have 3 personalities, these are extroversion, neurotism and pyschotism. it’s also stated criminality score high on extroversion and neurotism due to the genetics.

Question 7

Strengths and weaknesses of eyensencks personality theory ?

Answer 7

strengths
1. It’s research on soldiers support the study, this is effective as it’s involving all types of people with different backgrounds.
2. gain a further understanding of peoples personalities.
3. understand how personality impact behaviour.

weaknesses
1. there’s a lack of reliability
2. it can be biased
3. it oversimplifies the complex nature of human personality.

Question 8

What is Freuds theory ?

Answer 8

Freud believed that a persons personality was the reason behind whether you were criminal or deviant. it looked in to how the psyche developed which is said to in the first 5 years of living your life. this psyche involves the id, the superego and the ego. the id is the devil what’s seen as the desires, the superego is the angel and what’s holding you back from committing those desires and the ego is the final decision maker. it’s believed the ego has to find a balance between the id and the superego to weigh up the final decision. Thernatos (aggression) and lipidos (sex) is said to play a big part in this.

Question 9

strengths and weaknesses of Freuds theory ?

Answer 9

strengths
1. it focusses on childhood experiences as the psyche develops from a young age and can see what influencs you.
2. there’s acknowlegement of the role of unconscious which is what you don’t know your thinking about, it’s bringing attention to it.
3. just because it’s odd doesn’t mean it’s wrong.

weaknesses
1. it’s difficult to test
2. it lacks quantitative behaviour
3. has an unscientific analysis of human behaviour.