psychodynamic explanation

Question 1

what is the superego and when is it formed?

Answer 1

the superego is formed at the end of the phallic stage of development when children resolve the Oedipus complex (or Electra complex in girls)

Question 2

what did Freud say about the superego?

Answer 2

Freud proposed that the superego is guided by the morality principle and leads to feelings of guilt for wrongdoing and feelings of pride for moral behaviour

Question 3

Blackburn 1993

Answer 3

argued that if the superego is somehow inadequate then criminal behaviour is inevitable because the id (governed by the pleasure principle) is given ‘free rein’ and not properly controlled

Question 4

what are the 3 types of inadequate superego?

Answer 4

1. the weak superego; If the same-sex parent is absent during the phallic stage, the child cannot internalise a fully-formed superego as there is no opportunity for identification. This would make criminal behaviour more likely.
2. The deviant superego - If the superego the child internalises has immoral or deviant values this would lead to offending behaviour e.g. a boy raised by criminal father
   ● The over-harsh superego - An over harsh superego means the individual is crippled by guilt and anxiety - the superego has strict rules and is unforgiving. This may (unconsciously) drive the individual to perform criminal acts in order to satisfy the superego’s overwhelming need for punishment.

Question 5

the maternal deprivation theory

Answer 5

Bowlby (1944) argued that a continuous relationship with a mother-figure is crucial to future relationships and development.
A loss of attachment in infancy could lead to affectionless psychopathy (lack of empathy and guilt) and increased likelihood of delinquency and cannot develop close relationships

Question 6

44 juvenile thieves study - Bowlby (1944)

Answer 6

• 14 of the thieves showed signs of affectionless psychopathy. 12 of these experienced prolonged separation from their mothers during infancy.
• In a control group, only 2 had experienced prolonged separation.
• Bowlby concluded that the effects of maternal deprivation had caused affectionless psychopathy and delinquent behaviour among juvenile thieves.