unit two - ac4.1 (individualistic theories influencing policies Flashcards
1
Q
physcoanalysis - crime control
A
- treatment is very lengthy (saw patients five times a week, often for years)
- involves bringing unconscious conflicts and repressed emotions into the conscious mind so they can be resolved
- Freud used hypnosis and free association to access unconscious mind
- costly and time-consuming, never been used on a large scale
- phsychoanalysis gives analysts the power to define what is normal or abnormal
2
Q
phsycoanalysis - crime control (Aichhorn)
A
- applied psychoanalytic ideas to policies for treating young offenders as they had uncaring or absent parents so had failed to develop loving relationship
- normal socialisation had not taken place and they hadnt developed a superego
- Aichhorn rejected harsh environments of young offenders’ institutions and treated the children by providing a happy and pleasant environment that would develop the superego
3
Q
operant learning theory and token economies
A
- institiution draws up a list of desireable behaviours, e.g obeying the rules, interacting positively with staff
- when offender behaves in desired way, they earn a token
- tokens may be exchanged for rewards e.g sweets, phone calls
- through this selective reinforcement, good behaviour becomes more likely and undesireable behaviour less likely
4
Q
operant learning theory and token economies - effectiveness
A
- some studies show an improvement in behaviour, but once reinforcement stops the behaviours tend to dissapear
- offenders tend to return to crime more slowly compared to those who havent undergone the programme
- token economies make prisoners more manageable
- have been casesin the USA of food or drink being withheld and used as ‘rewards’, critics argue that these are a human right, not a privilege to be earned
5
Q
aversion therapy and Eysenck’s theory
A
- offenders asked to think about an unacceptable sexual fantasy until they are aroused
- strongly aversive stimulus is then administered, such as an electrick shock or a nausea-inducing drug
- procedure is repeated until the offender comes to associate the deviant arousal and the stimulus, aim is to stop the thoughts and thus stop offending behaviour
6
Q
aversion therapy and eysenck’s theory - effectiveness
A
- has had very limited success, usually only short term
- has been criticised as a human rights abuse in its use in attempting to ‘cure’ gay people
7
Q
cognitive theories and CBT
A
- state that our cognitions shape our behaviour, offenders have ‘distorted cognitions’ that lead them to offend
- CBT programmes aim to change offenders’ thoughts and attitudes to change their behaviour
8
Q
cognitive theories and CBT - Think First
A
- programme of group and one-to-one sessions for repeat offenders on probation
- aims to enable offenders to control their thoughts, feelings and behaviours
- teaches problem-solving skills, consequential thinking, decision making and perspective taking
- those completing the programme are 30% less likely to be re-convicted than offenders who recieve an alternative community sentence
9
Q
cognitive theories and CBT - aggression replacement training (ART)
A
- interpersonal skills training e.g through role play
- anger control techniques, dealing with emotions and providing offenders with alternative courses of action instead of violence
- moral reasoning training that challenges their attitudes by confronting them with moral dilemmas to consider
- evaluation mostly shows lower re-conviction rates
- some evaluations have found that although thinking skills improved, behaviour didnt
10
Q
cognitive theories and CBT - ‘what works’
A
- clear plan and proven methods for altering offenders’ behaviour
- careful matching of offenders to the right programme, in terms of their offence, risk of re-offending and learning abilities
- targeting the risk factors that lead to offending
