Psychology of Crime and Criminal Behavior

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Questions and Answers

What is the main function of a strong superego?

To inhibit biological instincts of the id (correct)

To enhance aggressive impulses

To promote biological instincts of the id

To reduce feelings of guilt

What are the two subsystems of the superego?

Id and ego

Conscience and ego-ideal (correct)

Repressiveness and aggression

Guilt and inferiority

How does a well-developed superego control impulses?

Through the process of repression (correct)

By enhancing biological instincts

By promoting reckless behavior

By increasing delinquent behavior

What does guilt stem from according to the superego's function?

Superego's perfection standards Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a characteristic of a weak superego as described by Hervey Cleckly?

Pathological egocentricity Signup and view all the answers

What is associated with little evidence of guilt in a weak superego?

Persistent conduct problems Signup and view all the answers

What feeling arises when the ego fails to meet the superego’s standards?

Guilt Signup and view all the answers

Which behavior is NOT typical of an offender with a weak superego?

High levels of altruism Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the stage where a child develops unconscious desires for the parent of the opposite sex?

Phallic Stage Signup and view all the answers

What term describes the fear that boys experience regarding their fathers during the Phallic Stage?

Castration Anxiety Signup and view all the answers

What happens during the Latency Stage of Freud's psychosexual development?

There is a decrease in sexual interest and focus on social skills. Signup and view all the answers

In the Genital Stage, what becomes a central motive for individuals?

Healthy relationships with the opposite sex Signup and view all the answers

What component of Freud's theory encompasses the drives for sex, hunger, and thirst?

Eros Signup and view all the answers

Who is credited with the popularization of Behavioral Theory?

Burrhus Frederic Skinner Signup and view all the answers

What do personality theories assume about individuals?

They develop through early socialization. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'Electra Complex' refer to in Freud's theory?

The intense emotional attachment girls have for their fathers. Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of personality do the instincts Eros and Thanatos influence according to Freud?

Overall personality Signup and view all the answers

According to psychodynamic theory, what components make up the human personality?

Id, ego, and superego. Signup and view all the answers

Which principle does the id operate under?

Pleasure principle. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main role of the ego in personality structure?

To satisfy the id within reality constraints. Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of personality does the superego represent?

Moral and ethical standards. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement reflects a common misconception about the id?

Id develops later in life. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'true psychic reality' refer to in Freud's theory?

The id's subjective experience. Signup and view all the answers

At what stage does the superego develop according to Freud?

Phallic stage. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary way infants learn about the world during the sensorimotor stage?

Through senses and motor behavior Signup and view all the answers

What significant cognitive milestone do children develop between 5 and 8 months old?

Object permanence Signup and view all the answers

During the preoperational stage, what type of play do children primarily engage in?

Symbolic and pretend play Signup and view all the answers

According to Piaget, how do children in the preoperational stage perceive logical information?

Their reasoning is based on personal knowledge. Signup and view all the answers

What behavior might indicate that an infant has developed object permanence?

Searching for a hidden toy Signup and view all the answers

Which age range defines the preoperational stage of cognitive development?

2 to 7 years Signup and view all the answers

Why might a young child make erroneous claims about the quantity of food they received?

They are focused on piece size rather than the overall quantity. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'operational' refer to in Piaget's theory?

Logically manipulating information Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of moral development in children during the preconventional stage?

Consequences imposed by adults Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the moral reasoning of individuals in the conventional stage?

They internalize the moral standards of adult role models. Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes moral development among serious offenders according to Kohlberg's findings?

Lower moral judgment development than non-criminals Signup and view all the answers

In the obedience and punishment orientation stage, what is the main motivation for a child's actions?

Avoiding punishment from adults Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of individuals who view the law positively according to the moral development theory?

They feel laws are beneficial to all of society. Signup and view all the answers

At what age does the preconventional stage typically last until?

Approximately age 9 Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes the individualism and exchange stage from the obedience and punishment orientation stage?

Focus on satisfying personal needs Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following groups typically exhibits moral reasoning that is strongly influenced by adult standards?

Young children Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Psychological Causes of Crime

Criminologists use psychological theories to explain criminal motivations.
Personality Theories: Individuals develop certain traits (impulsiveness, extroversion) through early socialization.
Psychodynamic Theory: Developed by Sigmund Freud, this theory explains the unconscious mental processes that shape personality.
Tripartite Personality: Personality is made up of three systems:
- Id: Represents primitive, selfish desires and seeks immediate gratification.
- Ego: Balances Id impulses with reality, moderating desires with practicality.
- Superego: Internalized morals and societal standards, acting as a conscience.
Types of Offenders in Psychoanalytic Theory:
- Weak Superego: Individuals with superficial charm, lack of remorse, and inability to form meaningful relationships.
- Oedipus Complex: Boys develop unconscious desires for their mothers and rivalry with their fathers.
- Electra Complex: Girls experience intense emotional attachment to their fathers.
Freud's Psychosexual Theory:
- Eros: The life instinct, including drives like sex, hunger, and thirst.
- Thanatos: The death instinct, encompassing aggression and destructive urges.
Behavioral Theory: Developed by John B. Watson and BF Skinner, focuses on how environmental stimuli and consequences shape behavior.
Moral Development Theory: Developed by Lawrence Kohlberg, emphasizes the stages of moral development and how they relate to criminal behavior.
- Preconventional Morality: Moral decisions are based on consequences (punishment or reward).
- Conventional Morality: Acceptance of social rules and conformity to societal norms.
Piaget's Stages of Cognitive Development:
- Sensorimotor Stage (Birth-2 Years): Infants learn through senses and motor skills, developing object permanence.
- Preoperational Stage (2-7 Years): Children use symbols, engage in pretend play, but lack logical manipulation of information.
- Concrete Operational Stage (7-11 Years): Children develop logical thought, reason and problem-solve concretely.
- Formal Operational Stage (11 Years On): Adolescents develop abstract thinking, hypothetical reasoning, and moral reasoning.

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Description

This quiz explores the psychological causes of crime through various theories, including personality traits and psychodynamic theory developed by Sigmund Freud. Understand the tripartite personality structure and how it influences criminal behavior. Discover the implications of these theories on different types of offenders.