Psychodynamic explanation of offending behaviour

Question 1

Freuds theory of personality

Answer 1

Id – represents our primitive wants and
operates according to the pleasure principle

Superego – determines which behaviours are
permissible and causes feelings of guilt when
rules are broken - moral compass

Ego – is anchored in the reality of the external
world - It mediates
between the two, reality principle

Question 2

The inadequate superego

Answer 2

Superego is developed during oedipus or electra complex
- superego punishes the ego for deviant behaviour through guilt
- Blackburn (1993) If the superego does not function as it should (deficient or inadequate) the id is not controlled well and this can lead to offending behaviour

Question 3

Weak superego

Answer 3

• the same sex parent is absent
• person has little control of antisocial behaviour and is likely to act in ways to satisfy their id

Question 4

Deviant superego

Answer 4

• the child internalises deviant or immoral behaviours
• child adopts same deviant attitudes

Question 5

Overharsh superego

Answer 5

• identification of a strict same sex parent
• superego constantly needs satisfying with constant anxiety and guilt
• would commit crime with the hopes of being caught to reduce their feelings of guilt

Question 6

Evaluation of Freuds theory of personality as an explanation for offending

Answer 6

• unfalsifiable (can’t be proven or disproven so theory is unscientific)
• gender bias (alpha bias - proposed that women had weaker superegos)

Question 7

Maternal deprivation

Answer 7

• Bowlby thought a person who had not had a continuous loving relationship with a mother figure would suffer as an adult
• one effect is affectionless psychopathy where the person has a lack of guilt and empathy

Question 8

44 thieves study

Answer 8

14 thieves were described as affectionless psychopaths but 0 from control group
- 12 of the 14 had experienced maternal deprivation during critical period`

Question 9

Evaluation of 44 thieves / maternal deprivation as an explanation for offending

Answer 9

• reductionist (too simplistic, doesn’t account for all crime as some criminals didn’t experience maternal deprivation and some people who did experience maternal deprivation aren’t criminals)
• nature/nurture debate (ignores any biological factors and is only based on upbringing)