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Questions and Answers
What is the primary focus of psychological theories of crime?
What is the primary focus of psychological theories of crime?
Which assumption suggests that offenders possess psychological deficiencies?
Which assumption suggests that offenders possess psychological deficiencies?
What characteristic do offenders commonly differ from non-offenders according to psychological theories?
What characteristic do offenders commonly differ from non-offenders according to psychological theories?
In discussing antisocial personality, which of the following is emphasized?
In discussing antisocial personality, which of the following is emphasized?
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How do Antisocial Personality Disorder and psychopathy primarily differ?
How do Antisocial Personality Disorder and psychopathy primarily differ?
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Which of the following is NOT a psychological theory used to explain criminal behavior?
Which of the following is NOT a psychological theory used to explain criminal behavior?
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What is primarily assessed when evaluating the assumption of discriminating traits in offenders?
What is primarily assessed when evaluating the assumption of discriminating traits in offenders?
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What connection is explored between crime and mental illness in contemporary theories?
What connection is explored between crime and mental illness in contemporary theories?
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What characterizes a preconventional person?
What characterizes a preconventional person?
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At what stage does a person define their values through self-chosen principles?
At what stage does a person define their values through self-chosen principles?
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Which of the following best describes the conventional level of moral development?
Which of the following best describes the conventional level of moral development?
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What criticism is made about Kohlberg's theory?
What criticism is made about Kohlberg's theory?
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What is suggested about the moral development of delinquents compared to non-delinquents?
What is suggested about the moral development of delinquents compared to non-delinquents?
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What is one of the criticisms of the link between moral development and delinquency?
What is one of the criticisms of the link between moral development and delinquency?
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Which of the following describes a postconventional individual?
Which of the following describes a postconventional individual?
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What is typically true about individuals at the postconventional level?
What is typically true about individuals at the postconventional level?
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What is a significant critique of the psychological approach to understanding criminal behaviour?
What is a significant critique of the psychological approach to understanding criminal behaviour?
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According to recent research, what factor plays a critical role in influencing individual behaviour?
According to recent research, what factor plays a critical role in influencing individual behaviour?
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In the context of criminality, what is emphasized about the differences between offenders and non-offenders?
In the context of criminality, what is emphasized about the differences between offenders and non-offenders?
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What motivation might drive individuals to commit delinquent acts?
What motivation might drive individuals to commit delinquent acts?
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Which level of analysis does community psychology use to assess social problems?
Which level of analysis does community psychology use to assess social problems?
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When assessing addiction at the individual level in community psychology, what is the focus?
When assessing addiction at the individual level in community psychology, what is the focus?
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What role do peer influences play at the small group level according to community psychology?
What role do peer influences play at the small group level according to community psychology?
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Which of the following statements is true regarding the criminal vs. non-criminal binary?
Which of the following statements is true regarding the criminal vs. non-criminal binary?
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What is the primary focus of operant conditioning in shaping behavior?
What is the primary focus of operant conditioning in shaping behavior?
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Which of the following is an indicator of Antisocial Personality Disorder (APD) during childhood?
Which of the following is an indicator of Antisocial Personality Disorder (APD) during childhood?
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The Psychopathy Checklist developed by Hare is used primarily for what purpose?
The Psychopathy Checklist developed by Hare is used primarily for what purpose?
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What percentage of the prison inmate population in North America is estimated to have Antisocial Personality Disorder?
What percentage of the prison inmate population in North America is estimated to have Antisocial Personality Disorder?
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Which method can be used to reward positive behavior in delinquent youth?
Which method can be used to reward positive behavior in delinquent youth?
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What behavior might indicate a risk for psychopathy in adolescents?
What behavior might indicate a risk for psychopathy in adolescents?
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Legal, social, and self-sanctions are types of which deterrent?
Legal, social, and self-sanctions are types of which deterrent?
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Which of the following describes the outcome of applying consistent punishments to behavior according to operant conditioning?
Which of the following describes the outcome of applying consistent punishments to behavior according to operant conditioning?
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What is a key principle of Eysenck’s Theory of Crime and Personality?
What is a key principle of Eysenck’s Theory of Crime and Personality?
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Which personality dimension is characterized by sociability and impulsiveness?
Which personality dimension is characterized by sociability and impulsiveness?
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Which group of personality traits is less likely to respond positively to conditioning?
Which group of personality traits is less likely to respond positively to conditioning?
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According to Social Learning Theory, which source is NOT considered a way for individuals to learn aggressive behavior?
According to Social Learning Theory, which source is NOT considered a way for individuals to learn aggressive behavior?
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What is a potential effect of watching violent television on a person's reaction to real-life aggression?
What is a potential effect of watching violent television on a person's reaction to real-life aggression?
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Which personality dimension includes traits like hostility and lack of sympathy?
Which personality dimension includes traits like hostility and lack of sympathy?
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What is one of the main criticisms of the relationship between watching television violence and aggression?
What is one of the main criticisms of the relationship between watching television violence and aggression?
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What type of individuals are more likely to exhibit delinquent behavior according to Eysenck’s Theory?
What type of individuals are more likely to exhibit delinquent behavior according to Eysenck’s Theory?
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What is true regarding recidivism among mentally disordered offenders compared to those without a history of mental illness?
What is true regarding recidivism among mentally disordered offenders compared to those without a history of mental illness?
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Which factor is considered a risk for predicting violent recidivism according to the content?
Which factor is considered a risk for predicting violent recidivism according to the content?
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According to Desmarais et al. (2014), most mentally disordered offenders are characterized by which of the following?
According to Desmarais et al. (2014), most mentally disordered offenders are characterized by which of the following?
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What is a common misperception about the population of mentally ill persons in relation to crime?
What is a common misperception about the population of mentally ill persons in relation to crime?
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What is one reason psychological theories are criticized in relation to criminal behavior?
What is one reason psychological theories are criticized in relation to criminal behavior?
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What is the primary focus of evolutionary theory in understanding criminal behavior?
What is the primary focus of evolutionary theory in understanding criminal behavior?
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What is an example of a theory that combines psychological and sociological approaches?
What is an example of a theory that combines psychological and sociological approaches?
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Which statement best describes the training police receive to handle mentally ill individuals?
Which statement best describes the training police receive to handle mentally ill individuals?
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Study Notes
Chapter 9: Psychological Perspectives on Criminality
- This chapter explores psychological theories explaining criminal behavior.
- Psychological theories often focus on individual factors, but recent research emphasizes situational and environmental factors.
- Theories often assume either an "offender deficit" (something psychologically wrong with the offender) or "discriminating traits" (offenders differ from non-offenders).
Learning Objectives
- Describe and analyze various psychological theories related to criminal behavior.
- Examine psychoanalytic theory, Eysenck's theory, social learning theory, operant conditioning theory, moral development theory, and evolutionary theory.
- Understand the concept of antisocial personality disorder and psychopathy.
- Evaluate current theories linking crime and mental illness.
Psychological Theories of Crime
- Examines criminality through personality or learning.
- Most of these theories revolve around two main assumptions: offender deficit and discriminating traits (that is, offenders differ, especially in impulsivity and aggression).
- There are critiques of the psychological approach: emphasis on offender deficits, ignoring the role of situational and environmental factors, and unreliability of a "criminal vs. non-criminal" binary.
Community Psychology
- While the individual perspective is dominant, community psychology suggests viewing social problems from levels of analysis.
- Levels of analysis include individual deficits, small group functioning deficits, organizational issues, and institutional or community-level problems.
Psychoanalytic Theory
- Freud's personality is composed of the id (biological drives), ego (reality tester), and superego (conscience).
- Criminality results from the ego and superego's failure to control primitive id instincts.
- Criminality stems from inadequate development in early stages.
- This theory is often criticized as untestable and tautological.
Evolutionary Theory
- Based on Darwinian principles, the theory explains criminal behavior through natural selection and reproductive fitness.
- Men generally commit more crime, particularly violent crime.
- The theory relates high offending rates in young men to reproductive strategies and opportunities.
Theories of Moral Development
- Kohlberg's theory postulates stages of moral development, and everyone goes through them, though pace varies.
- Preconventional level focuses on punishment/reward.
- Conventional level focuses on social expectations.
- Postconventional level centers on self-chosen principles.
- Piaget's theory suggests moral reasoning develops from egocentrism to cooperation.
- Kohlberg's theory is also criticized for potential bias towards male perspectives.
Eysenck's Theory
- This theory explores how personality characteristics relate to criminal behavior, drawing on classical conditioning and learning.
- Extroversion, neuroticism, and psychoticism are crucial personality dimensions.
- Delinquents and criminals are less easily conditioned, possibly due to limited exposure to conditioning practices.
Social Learning Theory
- Individuals learn behavior through direct experience or observation.
- Aggression is learned from family, subculture, and symbolic models (media).
- Studies suggest a possible correlation between violence viewing and aggression; however, it's not confirmed.
- Negative reinforcement (fear, or legal/social sanctions) can deter behavior.
Operant Conditioning
- BF Skinner's theory of how rewards and punishments influence behaviors.
- Used to change antisocial or delinquent behaviors.
- A token economy is an example of this type of program.
Antisocial Personality Disorder (APD)
- Key indicator: disregard for the rights of others, impulsiveness, irresponsibility, and aggression.
- Signs start in childhood, continue through adolescence and adulthood
- Psychopathy checklist (Hare 1991) measures traits and behaviors associated with psychopathy. This checklist is a useful tool.
- Extroverts, who don't learn fear responses, and have neuroanatomical abnormalities may display APD traits.
Crime and Mental Illness
- While some consider crime a symptom of mental illness, many now reject this simplistic view.
- Prevalence of mental disorders is higher among prison inmates than the general population.
- Many inmates have mental health needs, particularly substance abuse disorders or co-occurring disorders (like schizophrenia).
- There's been an increase in police involvement with mentally ill individuals, which is linked to deinstitutionalization of people with mental illness.
- Persons with mental illness are less likely to re-offend, compared to others, though this can vary across jurisdictions and training.
Chapter Summary
- Various psychological theories, while useful for understanding criminal behavior, need integration with sociological approaches.
- Understanding individual-level factors and acknowledging mental health needs of inmates for better treatment, prevention, and outcomes.
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Description
Explore the intricacies of psychological theories surrounding criminal behavior in this quiz. It covers concepts such as antisocial personality, moral development, and the relationship between mental illness and crime. Test your understanding of key assumptions and characteristics of offenders as defined by psychological perspectives.
