Psychodynamic explanation of offending behaviour

Question 1

psychodynamic explanations of crime

Answer 1

• the inadequate superego
• maternal deprivation theory

Question 2

inadequate superego

Answer 2

• Blackburn: if superego is inadequate or deficient then offending behaviour is inevitable as ID given free reign and not controlled

Question 3

types of inadequate superego

Answer 3

• weak undeveloped
• deviant superego
• over harsh/overdeveloped ego

Question 4

weak superego

Answer 4

• cannot internalised fully formed superego if same-sex parent absent
• makes offending behaviour likely, little control over anti-social behaviour
• act in ways gratifying their ID

Question 5

deviant superego

Answer 5

• child internalises parent superego which has immoral and deviant values
• leads to offending behaviour as child doesn’t associate wrongdoing with guilt

Question 6

over harsh/overdeveloped superego

Answer 6

• internalise superego of a very strict same-sex parent
• develop excessively harsh ego
• crippled with guilt and anxiety and act on ID impulses
• unconsciously wish to be caught to satisfy the superego s need for punishment and reduce guilt

Question 7

psychodynamic PEELs

Answer 7

Gender bias
- Freud: women should develop weaker superego so should have more more fem offenders but women more moral
- views represent alpha bias and devalues women
Lacks Validity
- little evidence for 3 superego types, or kids w/o same sex parents less law abiding
- lack of empirical evidence cannot be tested effectively

Question 8

Bowlby PEELs

Answer 8

Real World App
- importance of kids to form/maintain secure attachment to prevent future delinquent behaviour
- policy changes to care for kids in long-term placement to prevent youth offenders
Thieves study only correlational
- only shows association between separation and emotional problems
- can establish C&E, maternal deprivation only one possible reason