Psychodynamic Approach to Offending

Question 1

What did Blackburn suggest in 1993 about superego

Answer 1

If the superego is somehow deficient or inadequate then criminal behaviour is inevitable because the ID is given ‘free reign’

Question 2

What happens if ur superego is weak

Answer 2

If same-sex parent is absent during the phallic stage there is no identification so the child cannot internalise a fully-formed superego
Makes immoral/criminal behaviour likely

Question 3

What happens when the superego is deviant

Answer 3

If the superego the child internalises has immoral or deviant values this would lead to offending behaviour e.g. criminal parents

Question 4

What happens when the superego is over-harsh

Answer 4

An excessively harsh or punitive super-ego makes the individual crippled by guilt or anxiety
They may then commit criminal acts - to satisfy the superego’s need for punishment

Question 5

How does the maternal deprivation theory by Bowlby (1944) relate to offending

Answer 5

Ability to form meaningful relationships in adulthood is dependent upon the child forming continuous, positive relationships with a mother figure
The maternal bond is superior to any other
Failure to establish this in first few yrs - leads to damaging and irreversible consequences
Affectionless psychopathy - lack of guilt, empathy and feelings for others - engaging in delinquency

Question 6

How do offenders show displacement
Englander 2007

Answer 6

Displaced aggression in offenders might explain their antisocial behaviour
If offenders cannot control their aggression, which comes from their instinctive ID, the aggression might spill out of their unconscious, resulting in violent and offending behaviour

Question 7

read bowlby’s 44 thieves on showbie

Answer 7

b4 i become a lil thief n steal ur virginity

Question 8

How does displacement lead to offending behaviour

Answer 8

Focus of anger shifted from actual target to neutral target

Question 9

How does denial lead to offending behaviour

Answer 9

Unwanted reality of the threatening event is ignored and blocked from conscious awareness

Question 10

How does repression lead to offending behaviour

Answer 10

Involves the ego stopping unwanted and possibly painful thoughts from being conscious