Topic 3 - Individualistic Theories of Crime Flashcards
what are the individualistic theories
psychodynamic - Freud
learning theories - Bandura
psychological - Eysenck
what is the psychodynamic iceberg
Superego - Moral conscience - incorporates morals and values of society
Controls impulses of the id, and persuades ego to act morally
E.g. could make a person feel guilt if the ego gives in to the id
ID - Controls our selfish and animalistic urges (basic needs and desires)
Primitive component - impulsive
Operates on the pleasure principle - wants instant gratification, regardless of consequences
Ego - Rational and controlled - makes decisions based on reason
Mediates the id and the superego - works out how to satisfy id’s demands, whilst also abiding by the rules of society
Operates on the reality principle
what is the core knowledge of Freud
Weak superego
If one part of the mind is too strong, or there is a conflict between them, this can affect someone’s personality - this could explain criminal behaviour
If the superego is weak (and id dominant), this may cause criminal behaviour.
This will mean that the person has little moral conscience. They will struggle to empathise with others and if they harm them, they will not feel bad. This will have occurred due to a failure on behalf of the parents to guide their child correctly through the developmental phases
what is the evidence of a weak superego
Theft: Driven by the desire for material possessions.
Assault: Resulting from uncontrolled aggression.
Reckless behavior: Disregarding the safety of themselves and others.
Crimes that involve a lack of empathy for the victim.
what is the expanded knowledge of Freud
Harsh superego
Freud also believed that crime could be explained by the superego being too strong
If the superego is too strong this may also cause criminal behaviour.
This will mean that a person’s moral conscience is too intense. They will feel guilt and shame for behaviours that most people would not worry about.
This means that the person actively will go out of their way to commit acts that they need to be punished for. This may well include criminal acts.
someone has such a high sense of moral superiority they may commit crimes to prove their righteousness over others
what is the core knowledge of Bandura’s social learning theory
SLT suggests antisocial behaviour is modelled and imitated.
If a role model is observed doing something antisocial such as being aggressive, the observer will imitate and reproduce this behaviour when in a similar situation to that observed.
The individual observing must be motivated to imitate
internal motivation - for the thrill
external motivation based on reinforcement (vicarious reinforcement - watching others be rewarded for certain behaviour)
Role models are people that an individual identifies with in some way e.g. age, gender or someone with status
what is the evidence for social learning theory
The Bobo Doll Experiment
Bandura developed social learning theory following a series of experiments including the ‘bobo doll experiment’
Bandura wanted to investigate the extent to which children would imitate aggressive behaviour of adult models
Children watched an adult act aggressively or non-aggressively towards a bobo doll
They were then watched to see what they did once they were placed in a room with the doll
Closest imitation was same gender. Aggressive model = aggressive behaviour copied, Non-aggressive model = gentle behaviour with bobo doll
strengths and weaknesses of the Bobo Doll experiment
strengths
You can control and manipulate different variables to see the effect ((e.g. gender of model)
As it is so highly controlled you can be more sure of cause and effect (that the behaviour of the children is a direct result of what they have seen)
They can be replicated (and have been with similar results)
weaknesses
Lab experiments lack ‘ecological validity’ (how true to life they are) the situations encountered in the experiment may be different to how learning takes place in real life
Novelty factor - many children had never seen a bobo doll
seen as unethical
Only a snapshot - doesn’t really show how prolonged exposure to aggression may result in long term effects on the children
what is the expanded knowledge of Bandura’s SLT
Media affects
the media has a influence on our opinions and the actions we take
The media can influence people directly – human values, judgement and conduct can be altered directly by media modelling
In the same way that watching someone be violent in real-life can lead to imitation of this behaviour
what is the evidence of Media Effects
Copycat’ killers
Copycat crime is a criminal act that is modelled after or inspired by a previous crime
‘Dexter’ Copycat - Mark Andrew Twitchell
Twitchell’s obsession with the television series “Dexter,” which features a serial killer who operates under a vigilante code, was a significant factor.
Investigators and the media drew parallels between Twitchell’s actions and the character of Dexter Morgan, leading to him being dubbed the “Dexter Killer.”
The “kill room” he created in his garage, along with his methods, showed striking similarities to scenes from the show.
what is the core knowledge of Eysenck
Criminal personality
Introversion/extraversion
Concerns amount of stimulation people need
Extrovert = sociable but bored quickly if there is a lack of stimulation
Introvert = reliable and in control of emotions
Neuroticism/stable
Concerns level of emotional stability of a person
Neurotic = anxious and irrational
Stable = Calm and emotionally in control
Eysenck predicted that people who are extroverted and neurotic are more likely to offend
These individuals may find it difficult to control their impulses
what is the evidence of criminal personality
McGurk & Mcdougall (1981)
Gave Eysenck’s personality test to 100 convicted inmates, and 100 trade based students (e.g. bricklaying)
All were aged 17-20
Social class was controlled for
Results showed higher number of people with extravert & neurotic personality traits in the delinquent group compared to the control group
what is the expanded knowledge of Eysenck
Psychoticism
Characteristics of Psychoticism:
Cold, uncaring and unemotional
Antisocial and aggressive, and fail to adopt social norms
those with high levels of Psychoticism, Extraversion and Neuroticism combined have a ‘criminal personality’
strengths and weaknesses of individualistic theories
strengths
Experiments conducted are often highly controlled and test cause and effect by manipulating variables.
Can be used to treat/prevent crime, if we know the cause. E.g. if cause is social learning, can reduce children’s exposure to aggression etc.
Some key treatment methods have been developed using these theories (e.g. psychoanalysis therapy - freud)
Mostly explain violent/impulsive crime, not really petty crime
strengths and weaknesses of Freud
Strengths
Started off important research - still viewed as a core influence within Psychology
First drew attention to the importance of childhood experience and later mental health
Can relate to a wide range of people as we all have an id, ego and superego - according to Freud
Weaknesses
Can’t prove or test the existence of the unconscious mind
Makes it unscientific
‘Unfalsifiable’
Can only explain specific crimes - for gratification and gain or for the purpose of punishing themselves
No longer widely accepted
Therapies developed using this theory have not been overly successful
strengths and weaknesses of
strengths
Suggests people can change - if behaviour can be learned it can be ‘unlearned’ - criminals can be rehabilitated)
Can explain a wide range of crimes (individuals may observe and imitate a wide range of crime)
Some good evidence to support the theory
weaknesses
Ignores the role of other factors e.g. genetics (reductionist)
Doesn’t explain why some people commit crime when they have never witnessed that kind of behaviour
Suggests all those who see crime will copy it - do they?
Limitations of the bobo doll experiment:
doesn’t really represent real life (in a lab)
could be deemed unethical (if it is teaching violence)
Long term effect not investigated, snapshot study
strengths and weaknesses of Eysenck
strengths
Can help identify who is at risk of becoming criminal and intervene
Theory can relate to wide range of people and wide range of crimes
weaknesses
Not everyone with a extravert and neurotic personality type will commit crime
Not all criminals are extraverted/neurotic - doesn’t explain for example an introverted criminal?
Relies on sel
