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what type of theory is Freud’s tripartite personality ?
Psychodynamic theory of criminality
What does Freud believe ?
Our early childhood experiences determine our personality and future behaviour, therefore we can use Freud’s theory to explain criminality by looking at childhood trauma.
Freud proposed the tripartite structure of the personality, which consists of the…
Id
Ego
super ego
According to Freud, the Id…
Acts according to the pleasure principle and seeks immediate gratification.
The super ego…
Acts according to the morality principle and is concerned with what is considered right and wrong behaviour
The ego…
Acts on the reality principle and mediates between the demands of the super ego and id
How can Freud’s tripartite structure of the personality be applied to crime
This theory suggests that criminal behaviour is likely to occur if there is an imbalance between the three aspects of the personality
If the super ego is weak or deficient, the Id will be given free reign and won’t be controlled properly. This will lead to impulsive and anti-social behaviours as the ego won’t be able to mediate between the superego and id.
What will happen if a child doesn’t have a same-sex parent during the phallic stage (age 3-6)
They may have a weakly developed superego, meaning that they feel less guilt about criminal and deviant behaviour
This results in the Id becoming dominant causing the individual to act on selfish or aggressive urges.
What can happen if a child experiences an extremely harsh parenting style ?
it may result in them having a harsh and unforgiving superego
This can lead to high levels of guilt and anxiety
therefore, this person may commit crime to be punished
What might happen if a child is socialised into a family where pro-crime attitudes are the norm ?
They may develop a deviant superego
So they won’t feel guilt or shame that is associated with breaking rules
And therefore are likely to engage in criminal behaviours