Psychodynamic theories of crime: Freud and Bowlby

Question 1

Describe evolutionary psychology: We are animals, driven by basic __________ _______. The emergence of society required us to control our animal _________. Psychology involves understanding how our instincts are channelled to produce ________ behaviour- and the issues that can occur with this process. We are caged by _______- it civilises the animal instincts within us.

Answer 1

1. biological motives
2. impulses/instincts
3. civilised
4. society

Question 2

What did Freud believe that the easiest way to understand criminal behaviour is?

Answer 2

By looking at early childhood experience.

Question 3

What did Freud argue about the mind and what did this mean?

Answer 3

He argued that our mind was an unconscious region that controls behaviour and that much of what we do is unconscious. Therefore, crime is a consequence of the inability to control our biological drives.

Question 4

What did Freud claim that criminality was linked to?

Answer 4

Guilt.

Question 5

What does the the Iceberg Method consist of?

Answer 5

• The conscious
• The preconscious
• The unconscious

Question 6

What is the conscious?

Answer 6

The small amount of mental activity we know about: Thoughts, perceptions, and language.

Question 7

What is the preconscious?

Answer 7

Things we could be aware of if we wanted or tried: Memories and stored knowledge.

Question 8

What is the unconscious?

Answer 8

Things we are unaware of and cannot be aware of (Freud said we could through hypnotism): Fears, unacceptable sexual desires and immoral urges, violent motives, irrational wishes, immoral urges, selfish needs, shameful experiences, and traumatic experiences.

Question 9

What 3 main parts (the tripartite) does Freud say our personality is divided into and is considered the psyche?

Answer 9

1. The Id
2. The Superego
3. The Ego

Question 10

What is the Id?

Answer 10

The 1st psyche that functions in the irrational and emotional part of the mind, controlling instincts and selfish unconscious (when your born). Essentially it’s the primitive mind (basic needs and feelings) which works on the “pleasure principle”, e.g., “I want it now”.

Question 11

What happens if your id is too strong?

Answer 11

You will be bound up in self-gratification and uncaring to others.

Question 12

What is the superego?

Answer 12

The 2nd psyche of morality (the opposite of id- society regulated i.e., school) and the embodiment of parental and societal values. It’s the last part of the mind to develop- the moral part. It constantly stores and enforces rules through the ability to create anxiety/the want to be liked, constantly striving for perfection (this perfection may be ideal but It’s far from realty or possibility).

Question 13

What happens when your superego is too strong? What could this lead too?

Answer 13

You feel guilty all the time and more likely to be victims of crime. This could lead to criminal behaviour because of peer pressure (easily interested) or being guilty by association.

Question 14

What is the ego

Answer 14

The part of the ‘psyche’ that balances the drives from your Id and your Superego (the reality). It functions with the rational part of the mind and develops out of growing awareness that you can’t always get what you want- the struggle. Works on the ‘reality principle’- the need for compromise (negotiates between the Id and the Superego. The Ego denies instant gratification (Id).

Question 15

What happens when your ego is too strong?

Answer 15

When Ego is too strong you are extremely rational and efficient, but cold, boring, and distant.

Question 16

What does Freud suggest for a healthy psyche?

Answer 16

To have a ‘healthy psyche’ you need to balance all three- when each is conflicted it can cause criminal behaviour.

Question 17

What does Freud say leads to a Psychotic psyche?

Answer 17

Id= psychotic behaviour (psychosis)

Question 18

What does Freud say leads to a Neurotic psyche?

Answer 18

Neurosis comes from anxiety and guilt.

Question 19

Describe Megargee (1966) study on ‘Overcontrolled’ violent offenders?

Answer 19

Case studies of extremely violent offenders. Participants low aggression before and after.

Question 20

What is the ‘Strangulated effect’?

Answer 20

The expression of anger inhibited until it all comes out as once.

Question 21

How does Id link to aggression?

Answer 21

Aggression can be attributed to inadequate control of your Id. Id aggression can be built up if not managed by the ego to murderous intent.

Question 22

How does Superego link to aggression?

Answer 22

Chronically over controlled (Superego) individuals will be against aggressive behaviour.

Question 23

What does Freud suggest about children

Answer 23

Freud suggests that us as children make the transition from being dominated by Id to Ego and then form a balance between all 3 as we grow. Criminals are the children that had an imbalance between the Id and Superego.

Question 24

State Freud’ s ideas on a child’s home environment.

Answer 24

Freud said a child needs a stable home life and environment in order to help them achieve this balance.
Before it was taught that the dad was Id an the mum was Superego to justify nuclear families.

Question 25

Name 2 positives of Freud’s Iceberg Theory.

Answer 25

1) Helps to understand how issues in childhood development can lead to criminal behaviour as adults.
2) Ha been used therapeutically to delve into unconscious

Question 26

Name 5 negatives of Freud’s Iceberg Theory.

Answer 26

1)Claims to be scientific when It’s not- you can’t measure the ‘mind’
2) Low ecological validity
3) Low generalisability
4) Unethical
5) Difficult to put into policy