Psychodynamic theories of crime: Freud and Bowlby Flashcards
Describe evolutionary psychology: We are animals, driven by basic __________ _______. The emergence of society required us to control our animal _________. Psychology involves understanding how our instincts are channelled to produce ________ behaviour- and the issues that can occur with this process. We are caged by _______- it civilises the animal instincts within us.
- biological motives
- impulses/instincts
- civilised
- society
What did Freud believe that the easiest way to understand criminal behaviour is?
By looking at early childhood experience.
What did Freud argue about the mind and what did this mean?
He argued that our mind was an unconscious region that controls behaviour and that much of what we do is unconscious. Therefore, crime is a consequence of the inability to control our biological drives.
What did Freud claim that criminality was linked to?
Guilt.
What does the the Iceberg Method consist of?
- The conscious
- The preconscious
- The unconscious
What is the conscious?
The small amount of mental activity we know about: Thoughts, perceptions, and language.
What is the preconscious?
Things we could be aware of if we wanted or tried: Memories and stored knowledge.
What is the unconscious?
Things we are unaware of and cannot be aware of (Freud said we could through hypnotism): Fears, unacceptable sexual desires and immoral urges, violent motives, irrational wishes, immoral urges, selfish needs, shameful experiences, and traumatic experiences.
What 3 main parts (the tripartite) does Freud say our personality is divided into and is considered the psyche?
- The Id
- The Superego
- The Ego
What is the Id?
The 1st psyche that functions in the irrational and emotional part of the mind, controlling instincts and selfish unconscious (when your born). Essentially it’s the primitive mind (basic needs and feelings) which works on the “pleasure principle”, e.g., “I want it now”.
What happens if your id is too strong?
You will be bound up in self-gratification and uncaring to others.
What is the superego?
The 2nd psyche of morality (the opposite of id- society regulated i.e., school) and the embodiment of parental and societal values. It’s the last part of the mind to develop- the moral part. It constantly stores and enforces rules through the ability to create anxiety/the want to be liked, constantly striving for perfection (this perfection may be ideal but It’s far from realty or possibility).
What happens when your superego is too strong? What could this lead too?
You feel guilty all the time and more likely to be victims of crime. This could lead to criminal behaviour because of peer pressure (easily interested) or being guilty by association.
What is the ego
The part of the ‘psyche’ that balances the drives from your Id and your Superego (the reality). It functions with the rational part of the mind and develops out of growing awareness that you can’t always get what you want- the struggle. Works on the ‘reality principle’- the need for compromise (negotiates between the Id and the Superego. The Ego denies instant gratification (Id).
What happens when your ego is too strong?
When Ego is too strong you are extremely rational and efficient, but cold, boring, and distant.