psychodynamic theories - LO2

Question 1

who are the two theories ?

Answer 1

. Freuds tripartite personality
.BOWLBY’S MATERNAL DEPRIVATION THEORY-

Question 2

what did Freud believe ?

Answer 2

Freud suggested that the part of the mind we know about is simply the “tip of the iceberg”.

. Most of our mind is unconscious and drives all our behaviour; including criminality

Question 3

what are the three levels to the “Ice burg” ?

Answer 3

conscious level
sub-conscious level
unconscious level-

Question 4

conscious level=

Answer 4

Top layer (sticking out) is the conscious level (part of mind we know about.) This is your thoughts and perceptions.

Question 5

sub-conscious level=

Answer 5

Middle level is our sub-conscious level- information can be retrieved; memory/stored knowledge

Question 6

unconscious level=

Answer 6

Bottom level is our unconscious level- this is the part of the mind that drives behaviour. (fears/violent motives/unacceptable sexual desires/ immoral urges/ selfish needs)

Question 7

how is the unconscious mind tested ?

Answer 7

The inkblot test- Rorschach

Question 8

explain the inkblot test-

Answer 8

One way to access the unconscious mind is through using the inkblot test

. By giving patients/criminals an ambiguous picture to analyse, the therapist can make conclusions about the persons personality.

Question 9

what did Freud believe about personality ?

Answer 9

Personality is made up of 3 sections

. A healthy person needs a balance of all 3 parts

Question 10

what are the three parts ?

Answer 10

. ID
.EGO
.SUPER EGO

Question 11

ID=

Answer 11

ID= present at birth

operates on the pleasure principle

it gets what it wants. Take what you want. Primitive and instinctive.

The ID is in our – unconscious

“Devil inside us”.

Question 12

EGO=

Answer 12

EGO= develops around 2

works on reality principles

reduces conflict between ID & Superego using

defence mechanisms.

Question 13

Superego=

Answer 13

develops around 5 years old

works on morality principles

Responsible for guilt

Moral compass.

“Angel inside us”.

Question 14

how does this link to criminality ?

Answer 14

.When these have an unresolved conflict (not a balance) , the result is a disturbed personality.

People with a strong SUPER EGO are typically law abiding

. Dominant ID can lead to offending behaviour.

.

Question 15

deviant Superego =

Answer 15

If the same sex parent had views that crime is acceptable, the child would internalise these views- leading to criminal behaviour.

. Therefore, criminality can be passed on.

Question 16

WEAK SUPEREGO =

Answer 16

Childhood anxieties or problems (such as failure to identify with the same sex parents) may prevent the superego from developing.

Question 17

what Bowlby’s MATERNAL DEPRIVATION THEORY-

Answer 17

Early and prolonged childhood separations from the mother lead to emotional damage in later life and at risk od developing affectionless psychopathy.

. Lack of empathy for others may lead to criminal behaviour as they are unable to appreciate how their actions affect others.

Question 18

How was this theory tested ?

Answer 18

44 juvenile thieves

Question 19

44 juvenile thieves=

Answer 19

Aim= to investigate the relationship between affectionless psychopathy and maternal deprivation.

Procedure= 1944/ looked at 44 children (young offenders) in the child guidance clinic where he worked. All had been in trouble stealing. He recorded whether children had experienced prolonged separation from their mother or not. He then interviewed them to identify whether they were an affectionless psychopath.

Findings= 14/44 thieves experienced deprivation. 12/14 were classified as affectionless psychopaths

Conclusion=affectionless psychopaths are more likely to have experienced maternal deprivation.