Psychological Explanations: Psychodynamic explanation

Question 1

The inadequate superego

Answer 1

The superego is developed during the Oedipus or Electra Complex when the child identifies with the same sex parent.

The Superego punishes the ego for deviant behaviour through the use of guilt (this is the Morality Principle)

Question 2

Blackburn (1993)

Answer 2

If the superego does not function as it should the id is given ‘free rein’ and not properly controlled which can lead to offending behaviour.

Question 3

What are the three types of Inadequate superego

Answer 3

Weak Superego

The deviant superego

The over-harsh Superego

Question 4

Weak superego

Answer 4

There is an absence of the same sex parent in the phallic stage.
This means that the child cannot internalise a fully formed superego as there is no opportunity for identification.

This means that the child will show criminal or immoral
behaviour as the superego does not hold them back.

Question 5

The deviant superego:

Answer 5

When the child identifies with their same-sex parent but the parent they identify with has immoral standards of behaviours. This leads the child to internalise morals that are not acceptable. This means that they do not see criminal behaviours in the same way as others and won’t associate guilt with showing
criminal behaviours.

e.g. A boy that is raised by a criminal father is not likely to associate guilt with wrongdoing

Question 6

The over-harsh Superego:

Answer 6

A healthy superego is firm and has rules of what behaviours are
and are not acceptable. If these rules are broken, the superego
will be forgiving. This is different from the over-harsh superego,
which will not be forgiving, which increases guilt for wrongdoing
and will lead the child to unconsciously seek opportunities where
they will be reprimanded to reduce their sense of guilt. This leads
to criminal behaviour to satisfy the superego’s need for
punishment.

Question 7

Maternal deprivation

Answer 7

Bowlby argued that to form a meaningful relationship in adulthood depended on the mother figure. This maternal bond was seen as unique and more important for the child’s development.

Question 8

What happens if a maternal bond is not formed

Answer 8

Develop a personality type known as affectionless psychopathy characterised by lack of guilt and empathy. such individuals are likely to engage in delinquent acts and cannot develop relationships with others as they lack the early experience to do so

Question 9

Bowlby’s 44 thieves study

Answer 9

interviewed thieves and their families and found that 14 showed affectionless psychopathy. 12 out of the 14 had experienced prolonged separation from their mothers during infancy. This was lower in the control group (only 2) . He concluded that maternal dep had caused affectionless and delinquent behaviour among the juvenile thieves