Evaluation of individualistic theories

Question 1

What are the strengths of the operant learning theory?

Answer 1

-> Animals learning from experience through reinforcement. This is applied to humans.
->Can be applied to offending. Offenders will more likely offend if they gain a reward rather than a punishment.

Question 2

What are the limitations of the ‘Operant learning theory’

Answer 2

->It is heavily labortory based and not researched upon human behaviour
->Ignores mental processes
->Humas have free will

Question 3

What are the strengths in the Eyesnck personality theory?

Answer 3

->Describing measurable tendancies with personalitys -> increase chance of offending
-> E,N,P scores lead to criminality=studies support this prediction

Question 4

What are the 5 limitations of the ‘Eyesnck’s personality theory’

Answer 4

->Farrington -> high E and N scores but not P
->E scale measures two separte factors: sociable and impulsiveness
->correlation does not mean causation
->convicted prisoners can not be the typical offender - criminals who aren’t caught who have a low ‘N’ scale.
->Self-reporting questionnaire; people lie