Individualistic theories of criminality: psychodynamic theories Flashcards
What is the ID?
Instinctive ‘animal’ part of mind – selfish, pleasure-seeking
What is the superego?
Conscience or moral part of mind – acting against it leads to guilt and anxiety
What is the ego?
Referees the urges of id and superego. Tries to satisfy the id’s urges in a socially acceptable way
What is a weak superego?
Less guilt feelings and more likely to act on id’s urges
What is a harsh superego?
Craves punishment to release guilt feelings
What is a deviant superego?
Successful socialisation but into deviant moral code
What is the primary caregiver?
The main person who looks after the child
What is attachment?
Describes the relationship between child and primary carer
What is affectionless psychopathy?
Inability to form meaningful relationships as a result of broken attachment before the age of 5
What is socialisation?
Process of learning norms and values
What is the key idea of Freud and psychoanalysis?
Our early childhood experiences determine our personality and future behaviour including criminality
What is personality relating to Freud and psychoanalysis?
3 conflicting elements of unconscious mind – id, ego and superego
How does Freud and psychoanalysis link to crime?
Anti-social behaviour caused by abnormal relationship with parents (neglect or excessively harsh or lax parenting). Conflicts between id, ego, and superego are unresolved, which leads a to weak, over-harsh or deviant superego
What is one strength of Freud and psychoanalysis?
Points to importance of socialisation and early family relationships in understanding criminal behaviour
What is a second strength of Freud and psychoanalysis?
Some influence on policies for dealing with crime and deviance
What is a third strength of Freud and psychoanalysis?
Critics doubt the existence of the unconscious mind
What is one limitation of Freud and psychoanalysis?
Unscientific and subjective – relies on accepting claims of a psychoanalyst about the unconscious mind of someone else
What is the key idea of Bowlby and maternal deprivation?
There is a link between maternal deprivation and deviant or anti-social behaviour
What is attachment relating to Bowlby and maternal deprivation?
A child needs a close, continuous relationship with a primary carer from birth to 5 to develop normally
What is seperation relating to Bowlby and maternal deprivation?
If attachment is broken, even for a short time, it can lead to affectionless psychopathy and criminal behaviour
What is an example of evidence relating to Bowlby and maternal deprivation?
Study of 44 juvenile thieves referred to child guidance clinic. 39% suffered maternal deprivation before the age of 5 compared with 5% of control group of non-delinquents
What is one strength of Bowlby and maternal deprivation?
Backed up with evidence from the 44 thieves study
What is a second strength of Bowlby and maternal deprivation?
Shows the importance of parent-child relationships in criminality
What is one limitation of Bowlby and maternal deprivation?
Retrospective studies relies on memory
What is a second limitation of Bowlby and maternal deprivation?
Doesn’t explain why 61% were not delinquent
What is a third limitation of Bowlby and maternal deprivation?
No evidence of affectionless psychopathy in further studies
What is a fourth limitation of Bowlby and maternal deprivation?
Overestimates how far early childhood affects later behaviour
What is a fifth limitation of Bowlby and maternal deprivation?
Sammons and Putwain: maternal deprivation not linked to criminality
