Psychodynamic Explanations (forensics)

Question 1

How does the psychodynamic approach explain criminal behaviour

Answer 1

Unconscious conflicts, rooted in early childhood and determined by interactions with parent drive further criminal behaviour

Question 2

What is the ID

Answer 2

Pleasure Principle
Instructive part of personality
Very demanding - “I want”

Question 3

What is the Ego

Answer 3

Reality principle
Rational part of personality
Tries to satisfy the needs of the ID with realistic ways to achieve these desires

Question 4

What is the superego

Answer 4

Morality principle
“You can’t have that” part of the personality
Your conscience given to you by parents, rules and society

Question 5

What is inadequate superego

Answer 5

Developed during Oedipus or electra complex - child identifies with same sex parents
If superego does not function properly the ID is not controlled

Question 6

What is the weak superego

Answer 6

-Caused by absent same sex parents -Superhero in phallic stage
-Overbearing I’d
-Child cannot internalise fully formed supervise so no opportunity for -identification

Question 7

What is the deviant superego

Answer 7

Caused by internalisation of immoral superego from deviant parents

Question 8

The overharsh superego

Answer 8

• Causes person to become anxious or guilty by nature, so unconsciously seek punishment by criminal acts

OR

• Prevent the release of anxiety by defence mechanisms (due to guilt) causing an overambundance of unresolved conflicts to occur, overwhelming the ego and being expressed in the criminal behaviour