AC3.2 - Evaluate the effectiveness of individualistic theories of criminality

Name a strength of Freud’s theory

Emphasises the importance of childhood, criminality stems from unstable childhood

-Parenting support can happen to prevent offending

What are the weaknesses of Freud’s theory?

-Difficult to test scientifically as it relies on unmeasurable concepts eg superego

-Lack of success in treatment and so a limited success in reducing offending

Name a strength of Eysenck’s theory

He developed a personality questionnaire which is objective and testable

What are the weaknesses of Eysenck’s theory?

-Reductionist, focuses only on personality and ignore social/ biological influences

-Issues with bias, self report can lead to lying which reduces validity

-Sample bias, used convicted offenders which doesn’t count for all offenders, limits generalisability

What are the strengths of Bandura’s theory?

-Real world application, age restrictions on games helps stop children being exposed to violence

-Supporting evidence, bobo doll experiment was repeated and similar results were found meaning we can be confident in the theory

What are the weaknesses of Bandura’s theory?

-Deterministic, we don’t copy all behaviour we see as we have self control. Ignores the idea of free will

-Reductionist, focuses only on learning criminal behaviour and ignore other explanations such as genetics. Criminal behaviour is caused by many factors