Criminology - U2 - AC4.1 - Psychoanalysis Evaluation

Psychoanalysis – Advantage: Comparable to Other Therapies

Shelder (2010) found psychoanalysis to be as effective as other forms of psychotherapy like CBT, suggesting it can support rehabilitation.

Psychoanalysis – Advantage: Addresses Root Causes

Psychoanalysis aims to uncover unconscious causes of behaviour, offering the possibility of long-term change rather than just managing symptoms.

Psychoanalysis – Disadvantage: Time-Consuming and Costly

Psychoanalysis can take years and requires expensive, highly trained professionals, making it unsuitable for widespread use in criminal justice.

Psychoanalysis – Disadvantage: Effectiveness with Offenders Questioned

Blackburn (1993) found little evidence that psychoanalysis works well for offenders, and Andrews et al. (1990) advised against its use in this group.

Psychoanalysis – Disadvantage: Ethical Risks

The power imbalance between therapist and offender can be ethically problematic, especially when dealing with vulnerable individuals.

Psychoanalysis – Disadvantage: Risk of Emotional Harm

Offenders may uncover deeply painful repressed memories during psychoanalysis, which could cause emotional distress if not properly managed.

Psychoanalysis – Disadvantage: Improvement May Not Be Due to Therapy

Offenders might seem to improve during long-term psychoanalysis, but this could be due to natural life changes rather than the therapy itself.

Psychoanalysis – Overall Effectiveness

Psychoanalysis may offer deep insight but is rarely used for offenders due to practical, ethical, and evidence-based concerns.