FOR 10: Psychodynamic explanations

Explain the 3 ways in which an inadequate super- ego can lead to criminality (3x3)

* Weak Superego

* Child does not identify with same-gender parent (may be absent)

* So does not internalise moral code, no 'conscience'.

* Deviant Superego

* Child internalises an immoral superego from e.g. criminal father

* No guilt about offending.

* Over-harsh Superego

* Child identifies with very harsh/punitive same-gender parent

* Overwhelming guilt and anxiety, offends to satisfy Superego's need for punishment.

Explain how psychodynamic theory has a particular problem in explaining the fact that most crime is committed by males (4)

* Girls do not suffer castration anxiety and so identify less with mothers, than boys do with fathers.

* Psychodynamic theory thus assumes girls develop a weaker superego than boys.

* This should mean females commit more crime.

* But they don't.

Explain how maternal deprivation theory would account for criminal behaviour (4)

·* Warm, continuous relationship with mother-figure necessary for emotional development.

* Maternal deprivation, e.g. separation during the 30 month critical period, means the attachment bond between caregiver and infant is disrupted.

* Leads to later lack of meaningful emotional relationships, even affectionless psychopathy.

* Lack of concern for others makes it easy to offend against them.

Explain Bowlby's supporting evidence for maternal deprivation theory (5)

* 44 thieves and 44 non-thieves compared for affectionless psychopathy and early separation.

* Most (12/ 14) thieves who were affectionless had had prolonged separations in infancy.

* Nearly all who hadn't been separated early weren't either affectionless or thieves.

* Only 2/44 non-thieves, had experienced prolonged separation.

* Bowlby concluded that the maternal deprivation caused affectionless psychopathy and thieving.

Explain how Lewis' (1954) findings challenge Bowlby's theory (3)

* Found no association between maternal deprivation and future offending (or ability to develop close relationships, i.e., lack of empathy)

* Failure to replicate Bowlby's finding

* Contradicts MD theory