psychological explanations of offending : psychodynamic

Question 1

psychodynamic theory

Answer 1

idea that childhood influences adult behaviour

Question 2

inadequate superego

Answer 2

if underdeveloped the ID is given free reign to carry out selfish impulses which manifests criminal behaviour

Question 3

3 types of inadequate superego (SE)

Answer 3

weak = same-sex parent absent so the child doesn’t internalise fully formed SE
deviant = raised by criminal parent then SE internalises deviant behaviour
over-harsh = focused on punishment which leads to an unconscious drive to commit crime

Question 4

maternal deprivation theory

Answer 4

if a continuous maternal bond is not present then it will lead to affectionless psychopathy
-44 thieves study = only 14/44 experienced MD

Question 5

weakness

Answer 5

tripartite personality is not falsifiable
-cant prove it wrong
-cannot be observed = not scientific
-no empirical evidence

Question 6

weakness

Answer 6

hard to establish causal link between MD and crime
-Lewis = interviewed 500 young and found no reliable link between the two
-MD may just be a factor affecting likelihood of criminal behaviour
-44 thieves = only 14 experienced MD

Question 7

weakness

Answer 7

validity
-little evidence that without same-sex you are more likely to offend = weaken inadequate SE explanation
-parent with criminal = may be genetic inheritance rather than SE = impossible to test