Individualistic Theories of Crime Flashcards
Summarise Bandura’s social learning theory.
He states we learn our behaviour through observation and imitation.
What is it called when someone learns a behaviour is unacceptable through observing others being punished for it?
Vicarious reinforcement
What is the bobo doll experiment?
A study carried out by Bandura in order to investigate the extent in which children would imitate the aggressive behaviour of adults.
He had two groups of children. the first group watched an adult show aggression towards a bobo doll and the other was shown non-aggressive behaviour.
Then children were then placed in a room individually and alone with a bobo doll.
Every child who had watched the adult being violent copied much of what they saw.
Give 2 weaknesses of Bandura’s social learning theory.
Ignores the role of other factors- like biological ones
The bobo doll experiment is highly unethical- the experiment exposes children to violence with the expectation they will imitate it- counter intuitive.
What is operant conditioning and who is the person related to it?
B.F Skinner
Suggests that behaviours can be conditioned through the use of rewards and punishments. Operant conditioning forms an association between a behaviour and a consequence.
Positive and negative reinforcement
He stated that if a behaviour resulted in a reward, it would be repeated. This is because the individual learns performing the action will result in a reward.
Summarise Eysenck’s PEN Model of Personality theory
Eysenck believed that an individual’s personality type can lead to them being more likely to become a criminal. He had 3 personality dimensions that he used to assess people’s personalities:
Introversion/ Extraversion
Neuroticism/ Stable
Psychoticism
What does the PEN in Eysenck’s PEN model of personality mean?
P = Psychotic E = Extraverted N = Neurotic
People with the PEN personality are more likely to be criminal, as they like taking risks and most likely find it hard to control their impulses. Extraverts that are bored more easily may seek crime for the ‘thrill’
Neurotic individuals may be more reactive and impulsive, acting on their emotions- this could therefore lead to crime.
Psychotic individuals can be aggressive and antisocial, and fail to adopt social norms.
Give 2 strengths of Eysenck’s theory
Eysenck’s research on soldiers in hospitals supported his theory. He predicted the most traumatised soldiers would score high on neurotic.
His personality testing has formed the basis of many modern personality tests that try to predict people’s behaviour in different situations, for example psychometric tests.
Give 2 weaknesses of Eysenck’s theory
The theory suggests that personality is genetic and fails to consider that it may change over time
Research in this area relies on self-report measures about a person’s view of their personality. This can result in biased or deliberately false answers.
What did Freud mean by the Id?
The id functions on the pleasure principle, focuses on instant gratification and doesn’t think through consequences. Its the impulsive, primitive part of the mind. When you are born your mind is all id, and then you later develop an ego and a superego.
What did Freud mean by the Ego?
The ego operates on the reality principle, striving to satisfy the id’s desires in a realistic, socially acceptable way. It is the rational, controlled part of the mind.
What did Freud mean by the Superego?
The superego is the mind’s moral conscience. It controls the impulses of the id and persuades the ego to act morally. For example, the superego could make a person feel guilt if the ego gives in to the id’s impulses and desires.
Summarise Freud’s Psychodynamic theory
A healthy personality needs a balance between the id, ego and the superego. unresolved conflict between the three parts results in a disturbed personality. If the id is the part that dominates, the mind would be uncontrollable, and therefore lead to criminality.
According to Freud, a child needs a stable home environment in order to successfully transition from the pleasure principle to the reality principle.
Give 2 strengths of Freud’s theory
Provides a good insight into how people think, and why they think the way they do
Started off important research - still viewed as a core influence within Psychology
Give 2 weaknesses of Freud’s theory
Ignores the role of other factors, like sociological factors- Reductionist
Cant prove or test the existence of the unconscious mind, the id, ego and superego
