Individual Differences Explanations for Crime

Question 1

What is the cognitive explanation for crime?

Answer 1

Kohlberg’s moral reasoning (5 marks)

Question 2

Outline the pre-conventional moral level

Answer 2

Stage 1: Punishment and Obedience orientation (it’s okay to do it if you don’t get caught)
Stage 2: Instrumental-relativist orientation
(do it if it feels good)

Question 3

Outline the conventional moral level

Answer 3

Stage 3: Good boy/girl orientation (do it because it pleases others)
Stage 4: Law and Order orientation (do it because it is the right thing to do)

Question 4

Outline the post-conventional moral level

Answer 4

Stage 5: Social Contract orientation (do what society deems as correct)
Stage 6: Universal Ethical Principles (moral behaviour is guided by universal principles)

Question 5

How can crime be justified at all levels of moral reasoning?

Answer 5

Pre-conventional: justified if punishment can be avoided
Conventional: justified if it helps maintain relationships in society
Post-conventional: justified if it helps maintain human rights/further social justice

Question 6

How can Kohlberg’s moral reasoning explain the criminal age of responsibility?

Answer 6

Found that approx. 20% of 10 year olds were in level 1 while 60% were in level 2, suggesting that the majority have the moral reasoning to not commit crime

Question 7

Chenn and Howitt as supporting evidence for Kohlberg’s moral reasoning as a cognitive explanation for crime

Answer 7

Studied male offenders from 6 youth correctional institutions in Taiwain, and control group from one junior and two senior schools - used self-report methods

Moral reasoning development was LESS mature in offenders than in control groups, despite their mean age being higher. Those with advanced moral reasoning were less likely to commit crime

Question 8

Define hostile attribution bias

Answer 8

Cognitive bias where individuals tend to interpret others’ behaviour as threatening/aggressive

Question 9

Define cognitive distortions

Answer 9

Irrational thinking

Question 10

What does Eysenck’s explanation suggest about criminal behaviour?

Answer 10

Certain personality types are more likely to commit crime

Question 11

What were Eysenck’s three main personality traits contributing to crime?

Answer 11

Psychoticism, extraversion, neuroticism

Question 12

What is the biological basis for extraversion and introversion?

Answer 12

Introverts tend to have a high level of cortical excitation, so less stimulation is needed for arousal
Extroverts have low cortical arousal, so need more stimulation (thrill-seeking behaviour)

Question 13

Explain the biological basis for neuroticism

Answer 13

For neurotics, the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) is activated more easily for low-levels of threat

Question 14

Explain the biological basis for psychoticism

Answer 14

Linked to higher levels of testosterone than the average person, therefore more aggression and less empathy

Question 15

Describe Eysenck and Eysenck’s research

Answer 15

2070 male prisoners and 2442 male controls given Eysenck’s personality questionnaire.
Groups subdivided into age groups from 16-69 years

Found that PEN traits fell with age for both prisoners and controls, but prisoners had higher than controls on all three scales