psychodynamic theories

Question 1

strengths of Freud’s psychoanalytic theory:
(2)

Answer 1

points to importance of early childhood and family relationships

psychoanalytic theories have had some influence on policies for dealing with crime and deviance

Question 2

weaknesses of Freud’s psychoanalytic theory:
(2)

Answer 2

unscientific and subjective

discredited due to difficulty of testing concepts such as accessing the unconscious mind

Question 3

strengths of Bowlby’s maternal deprivation theory:
(2)

Answer 3

shows importance of role of parent-child relationships

Bowlby’s 44 thieves research showed 39% of delinquents suffered maternal deprivation compared to 5% of non delinquents

Question 4

weaknesses of Bowlby’s maternal deprivation theory:
(2)

Answer 4

retrospective study meaning mothers had to accurately recall the past

Bowlby did a later study of 60 children who had maternal deprivation and found no evidence of ‘affectionless psychopathy’