Individualistic Theories And Evaluations Flashcards
What is operant conditioning?
It’s based on the work of skinner. This theory believes if a behaviour is rewarded its likely to be repeated if its punished its no likely to be repeated
Strengths of operant conditioning
Skinners research supported this theory
OC can be applied t crime, if a crime leads to more rewarding than punishing outcomes for individuals they will be more likely to commit crimes
Weaknesses of operant conditioning
Based on studies with animals
Ignores mental processes like thinking and personal values, only focuses on reward and punishment
What is social learning theory?
A theory based on individuals learning through observing other people and copying their behaviour. This is mainly based on role modes and receiving rewards known as vicarious reinforcement. Bandura demonstrated SLT in 3 experiments known as Bobo doll studies
Strengths of social learning theory
Boyatzis proved children who watch violent shows behaved more aggressively at break time in school
Weaknesses of social learning theory
Research was done in a lab so not representative of how they would act at home
Only don with children 3-5
Bobo dolls are designed to be punched so it doesn’t show if they would b aggressive to real people
What is the psychodynamic explanation of crime and what’s the most famous psychodynamic theory?
The most famous psychodynamic theory is frauds psychodynamic approach, he believed personality is governed by 3 different personality structures, id, ego and superego.
What are the differences between id, ego and superego
ID- born with it, 100% unconscious, demands immediate gratification, gain pleasure, avoid pain
Superego- mostly unconscious, must never do wrong, “angel”
Ego- mostly conscious, logical, balance of the 2
Strengths of psychodynamic theory
Highlights the role of early family relationships in understanding criminal behaviour
Bowlbys 44 thieves study supports role of a stable and affectionate home life in prevention of crime
Explains different types of aggression
Weaknesses of psychodynamic theory
Difficult to prove there hypothetical constructs
Unscientific difficulty testing
Lack of quantitive data
Based predominantly on upper class Viennese women in a paternalistic and repressed society
What is Eysenck criminal personality theory?
According to Eysenck everyone’s personality is made up of a collection of stable features which direct behaviour, he believed certain personality types are more likely to commit crime as they crave excitement
What makes up the PEN personality and what are the traits?
Psychoticism- high P scores, aggression and anitsocial
Extraversion- high E scores, sociable, active, lively
Neuroticism- high N scores, anxious depressed
Strengths of Eysencks theory
Takes into account both nature and nurture making it more valid than either a biological theory or environmental theory alone
Rushton and Christjohn compared PEN scores with self reports of delinquency is school students which found children with high delinquency also had high PEN scores- correlation with Eysenck
Suggests criminal tendencies are detectable in childhood so possible to intervene at early stages
Weaknesses of eysencks theory
Used self reported questionnaires which isn’t valid
Personality isn’t stable a person acts differently in different situations
Theory only tells us about personality of unsuccessful offenders
