Pyscholoigcal Explanaitions For Offending - Psychodynamic Flashcards
(12 cards)
What is the superego ?
Develops around the age of four - serves as an individuals conscience. Superego as the ability to stop a behaviour. Strong superego can make a person feel guilt for their actions , underdeveloped can make someone no feel guilt for their crime
What is the deviant superego ?
This focuses on the concept of identification , which occur during the phallic stage , when the superego is developing. The argument is the small child identifies with the same-sex parent to resolve their Oedipus complex or their Electra complex. Identification means adopting similar behaviour to the same-sex parent and clearly, if that behaviour is deviant in any way ,the small child adopts similar behaviours and morals.
What is the overdeveloped superego ?
This superego has not had an issue with developing as such , it is more that the superego is very developed and therefore the individual feels large amounts of guilt most of the time. This would seem to suggest that the person is less likely to commit crime. However , the psychodynamic approach says hey commit crime to relieve themself from the guilt but they only feel it when they are caught and punished. The punishment makes the individual feel better.
What is the underdeveloped superego ?
This can occur if there have been issues fo the indivual between the ages of four and six when the superego is developing. If it does not develop sufficiently , the ability to feel guilt and stop behaviour is impaired. This leaves the person to be influenced by their Id impulses.
What is the maternal deprivation hypothesis ?
Emotional and intellectual consequences of separation between a mother and child and their primary caregiver. Continuous care from a mother is essential for normal psychological development. However if a child does not receive this secure start in life they are likely to be affected for the lifespan with issues in forming relationships. If this disruption occurs it means the child will form a negative representation of the world as a hostile pace a they will struggle to form attachments. It could lead to delinquent behaviour.
What is the 44 thieves study ?
44 thieves were compared with 44 non-thieves from a delinquency centre. Bowlby collected via interviews and questionnaires from the 88 juveniles. He interviewed the juveniles first to ascertain their personalities. Bowlby diagnosed affection-less psychopathy where there was a lack of affection for others. He also established whether they felt a lack of guilt or home at their actions and that informed the diagnosis.
What was the results from the 44 theives study ?
If a child has experienced early separation from their primary caregiver for more than 6 months then the chance that they will become delinquent is greater. If a child has experienced early separation from the primary caregiver for more than six months then they are more likely to be affection-less psychopaths.
What was the conclusions from the 44 thieves study ?
This study was influential an supports the psychodynamic explanation of offending behaviour , but has been heavily criticised for its methodology and potential bias.
How do defence mechanisms influence offending ?
They are used by the unconscious mind to reduce anxiety.
Displacement of emotions on to something else. Could shift anger to neutral target.
Sublimation - want to be accepted - carry out crimes that are more acceptable to suppress true desires.
Rationalisation - trying to rationalise criminal behaviour - killing prostitutes to protect a civilised society
What is one limitation of the psychodynamic approach to profiling ?
P - One limitation is that this approach has gender bias.
E - An assumption from the Freudian theory is the idea that girls develop a weaker superego than boys. Girls are less pressured to identify with their mothers so their superego is less developed. However, this is not supported by evidence since there are more men in prisons compared to women although they should have more developed superegos.
E - Therefore, this means that Freud’s theory lacks real world application and has low external validity.
What is another limitation of the psychodynamic approach to profiling ?
P - One limitation is that this theory has a lack of falsifiability and can bee classed as a pseudoscience
E - This is because Freud’s concepts are unable to be tested since they are in the unconscious mind. They are not open to empirical testing . This means they lack supporting evidence.
E - Therefore , this theory has low internal validity
What is another limitation of the psychodynamic approach o profiling ?
P - One limitation is that there are issues with Bowlby’s research since it is accused of having researcher bias
