psychodynamic Flashcards
early parental influences (8 cards)
the inadequate superego
Three types (Blackburn):
1. Weak - no identification in phallic stage.
2. Deviant - internalise offender parent.
3. Over-harsh - unconscious wish for punishment.
the role of emotion
offending behaviour is consequence of emotional demands.
maternal deprivation
lack of a continuous early relationship leads to affectionless psychopathy and delinquency (Bowlby).
44 thieves study
14 thieves affectionless psychopaths, 12 had maternal deprivation.
research support
10 offenders had disturbances in Superego formation and a need for self-punishment (Gorata).
COUNTERPOINT
harsher parents have children who rarely express guilt.
gender bias
girls should have weaker superego yet more men in prison.
other factors
no link between maternal deprivation and offending (Lewis), due to other factors e.g. poverty.
evaluation: contribution
psychodynamic approach identified importance of early development and emotion, but difficult to test.
