4.1- assess the use of theories in informing policies Flashcards
Biological theories believe-
what has this theory led to-
criminality is caused by physical abnormalities.
These theories have led to – crime control and punishment policies that aim to change the workings of a criminal’s brain or body. To cure the condition that causes criminality.
examples
drug treatments
diet
surgery
crowd control
eugenics
Heroin addiction=
(use of drugs)
Methadone-
used to treat addicts as a long-term alternative to heroine or to prevent withdrawal symptoms. This drug helps to control crime.
Alcohol abuse=
(use of drugs)
Antabuse-
used to treat alcoholism, stopping the body from breaking down alcohol (getting rid of it) and causing unpleasant hangover symptoms. If the hangover symptoms are made worse people will drink less.
sex offenders
(use of drugs)
Stilbestrol-
form of chemical castration, used to treat male sex offenders. Is a female hormone that suppresses testosterone reducing the male sex drive. Has side effects such as psychiatric disorders and breast development.
managing prisoners
(use of drugs)
sedatives and tranquillisers (such as Valium)-
used to keep troublesome or violent prisoners’ calm.
DIET
How can diet be used to help criminality ?
An individual’s diet can be modified to try and change anti-social behaviour
examples=
Gesch et al- ensuring prisoners are given vitamins, mineral and fatty acids cause a reduction in antisocial behaviour. (up to 37% decrease in the case of violent behaviour)
. Vitamin B3 has been used to treat some forms of schizophrenia- a disorder sometimes associated with violent behaviour.
. Dietary changes have been used to control “hyperactivity”- for example removing foods containing artificial colouring (tartrazine).
Surgery
How can surgery be used to help criminality ?
Surgery has been used to alter offenders’ brains or bodies with the aim of preventing them from offending-
examples=
Surgical castration-
sex offenders have undergone this in attempt to change offending behaviour in Denmark and USA. Results have been mixed.
Lobotomy-
major procedure that involves cutting the connection between the frontal lobes of the brain and the thalamus. Has been used to treat schizophrenia and sexually motivated/violent crimes.
How do authorities monitor crowd control ?
why is it used ?
what does this substance cause?
Tear gas
used to control crowds or disperse rioters
uncomfortable or distressing sensations cause short term biological changes to the body- including vomiting, disorientation and breathing difficulties. Long term effects include lung cancer and death.
eugenics
explain who they are and what they believe ?
Eugenicists believed humans was degenerating- due to people passing on inferior genes.
. Eugenicists argued that the “genetically unfit” should be prevented from breeding.
what did this result in ?
This led them to favouring policies such as sterilisation of “defectives” such as criminals (as they though it was hereditary) and those with mental/physical disabilities.
. they would set up groups to campaign for these policies.
1927 the US supreme court ruled that it was legal to compulsorily sterilise the “unfit” to protect the state.
other eugenic policies include ?
forced abortion and restrictions to marry.
individualistic theories effect on policy
how did Freud impact treatment of criminality ?
Based on Freud’s theory, suggesting a “weak super ego” causes criminality- as the individual lacks morality.
They developed psychoanalysis
Psychonalysis =
how does it work=
It is a form of therapy used to treat criminality.
Using hypnosis and word association to bring unconscious conflict and repressed emotions into the conscious mind to be resolved.
supporting research =
Achorn Applied psychoanalytic ideas to policies to treating young offenders in an institution.
.He found that because the children had uncaring absent parents they had developed “weak” and “deviant” superegos.
. Normal socialisation had not taken place (loving relationships had not been formed)
. He rejected the harsh environment of the institution in the 1920s and instead treated children in a different, happy and pleasant environment- making them development of the superego possible.
whats another example of how indiviudalistic theories impact treatment of criminality ?
Aversion therapy
Link to theory -
Uses ideas from Eysenck personality theory
. Eysenck stated that criminals tend to be strongly extrovert and neurotic (making them harder to condition).
. Conditions need to be stronger to change the sex offenders behaviour as follows.
How aversion therapy works-
offenders are asked to think about unacceptable sexual fantasy until they are aroused
.A strongly “aversive stimulus” (the opposite of what is arousing) is then administered (such as an electric shock)
. Procedure is repeated until the offender associates the arousal and the stimulus
whats another example of how indiviudalistic theories impact treatment of criminality ?
Cognitive behavioural therapy
what is the Think First programme ?
Addresses thinking and behaviour associated with offending
Through a sequenced series of structured exercises designed to teach problem solving skills
which are then applied to aspects of offences and situations in which they occur.
how does CBT work ?
they aim to build cognitive skills and restructure bias or distorted thinking. THis may include anger management, cognitivr skills training,morla development and relapse prevention.
how does this relate to criminality=
by assuming that this criminal thinking is a cognitive deficit that has been learnt. We can teach offenders to understand the thinking process and choices that lead to criminal behaviour.
