2.2

Question 1

Describe Freud’s individualistic theory of criminality (Psychoanalysis)

Answer 1

• Freud believed early childhood experiences determine personality and future behaviour.
• Traumatic childhood experiences affect us unconsciously.
• The mind is mainly unconscious and made up of three elements: id, ego, and superego.
• Id: selfish, animalistic urges (sex, food, sleep).
• Superego: moral conscience, developed through early experiences and parental influence.
• Ego: balances demands of id and superego using rational control.
• Criminality occurs when the id is dominant and the ego can’t control urges.
• Children must move from id-dominance to ego-dominance (reality principle).

Question 2

Describe Bowlby’s individualistic theory of criminality (Maternal Deprivation)

Answer 2

• Influenced by Freud’s psychoanalysis.
• Claimed a link between maternal deprivation and anti-social behaviour.
• Child needs a continuous bond with primary carer from birth to age 5.
• Breaking this bond can lead to ‘affectionless psychopathy’ and criminal behaviour.
• Studied 44 juvenile thieves at a child guidance clinic.
• 39% had suffered maternal deprivation vs. only 5% in a control group.

Question 3

Describe Skinner and Jeffrey’s learning theories of criminality (Operant Learning)

Answer 3

• Criminal behaviour is learned through reinforcement and punishment.
• Skinner (behaviourism): behaviour rewarded is repeated (positive reinforcement); behaviour punished is avoided.
• All behaviour results from reinforcement or punishment — including criminal behaviour.
• C.R. Jeffrey: Differential Reinforcement — if crime brings more rewards than punishments, it’s more likely to be repeated.
• Rewards can be financial or emotional (e.g., peer respect).

Question 4

Describe Bandura’s individualistic theory of criminality (Social Learning Theory)

Answer 4

• Criminal behaviour is learned by observing others (observational learning) and vicarious reinforcement.
• Role models (e.g., parents, older peers, teachers) influence behaviour.
• People imitate behaviour if they see role models being rewarded, not punished.
• Famous Bobo Doll experiment: 3 groups of children observed different consequences for aggression.
• Group 1 (rewarded model) showed most imitation; Group 2 (punished model) showed least.
• Applied to crime: people imitate high-status individuals rewarded for criminal actions.

Question 5

Describe Eysenck’s individualistic theory of criminality (Personality Theory)

Answer 5

• Developed two personality dimensions: E (extraversion) and N (neuroticism).
• High E: outgoing, thrill-seeking, often aggressive.
• High N: anxious, moody, prone to overreacting.
• Most criminals score high on both E and N.
• Believed criminality results from poor conditioning and genetic factors.
• Extroverts seek stimulation; neurotics don’t learn from punishment.
• Later added P (psychoticism): high scorers are aggressive, lack empathy, and are more likely to commit crime.
• High P may overlap with mental illness like schizophrenia.