Individualistic theories - policies Flashcards
What are the 4 policy developments from individualistic theories?
•CBT
•Aversion Therapy
•Psychoanalysis
•Operant Learning and Token Economies
Explain Psychoanalysis
It is a treatment where the patient verbalises their thoughts, aims to access unconscious. Brings repressed thoughts to consciousness.
What theory does psychoanalysis link to and why?
Psychodynamic - Freud.
All behavioural problems stem from repressed trauma from childhood development
Why is psychoanalysis effective?
• Has been found to work as well as other psychotherapy treatments e.g cognitive behavioural therapy
• Eysenck found 44% of neurotic patients responded well to psychoanalysis
Why is psychoanalysis ineffective?
• Unethical - a patient could discover very painful memories that were deliberately repressed
Explain Operant Learning and Token Economies
Focuses on techniques to extinguish undesirable behaviours and promote desirable ones.
Token economy is an aspect of behaviour modification, where a token is given for a desired action.
Which theory is linked to Operant Learning and Token Economy?
Operant conditioning e.g Skinner - believes if a particular behaviour results in an reward, it is likely to be repeated
Explain Aversion Therapy
Focuses on asking the offender to think of their sexual fantasies, a strongly aversive stimulus is then administered e.g electric shock.
What theory is Aversion Therapy linked to and why?
Personality theory (Eysenck) -
PEN = criminal, PEN will not respond to operant conditioning as they are impulsive so don’t think about consequences
Explain CBT
The aim to change the offenders’ thoughts and attitudes to change their behaviour
What theory does CBT link to?
Kohlberg’s cognitive theory - state that our cognitions shape out behaviour
Why is CBT effective?
Studies found those completing the course may be 30% less likely to be re-convicted than others
Why is CBT ineffective?
• CBT e.g Think First requires offenders to be motivated to complete the programmes and motivated to change
• Some change thinking patterns but not behaviour
Why is Aversion therapy ineffective?
• It is unethical and has been misused e.g. to “treat homosexuals” by getting them to look at photos of naked men whilst electrocuted
• Abuses human rights - some people have died or experienced trauma
Why is Operant conditioning and Token Economies effective?
Evidence shows they have short-term effectiveness with both young and adult offenders
