Transcript Psychology-Based Perspectives of Criminal

Chapter 6
Psychology-Based Perspectives
of Criminal Behaviour
Does a poet create, originate, initiate the thing
called a poem, or is his behavior merely the
product of his genetic and environmental
histories? - B. F. Skinner(1904 - 1990)
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Learning Objectives
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Recognize and appreciate the impact
psychology has had on the understanding of
criminal behaviour.
Appreciate the complexity of human
behaviour.
Be familiar with the major psychology-based
theories of criminal behaviour.
Recognize and be familiar with some of the
important methods of treatment advocated by
therapists.
Appreciate the importance of the learning
theory for understanding criminal behaviour.
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Introduction
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Focus on identifying individual factors
as the primary cause of criminality
5 major psychological theories
Psychodynamic
Behavioural
Personality
Cognition
Moral development
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The Legacy
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Lombroso’s notions of born criminal
– Possessed by evil spirits; ritual abuse; rationale
for punishment
– Positivism and demonology & ‘bad seed’ concept
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Hillman argues those born without a soul
Faith & constructs difficult to prove, subjective
Metaphysical basis
Role of individual factors
– Work of James Hillman ’96
– Modern day versions and the role of religion
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Psychology & Criminality
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Aschaffenburg: role of heredity
Maudsley: “moral degeneracy”
Ray: moral insanity
Yochelson & Samenow: “criminal
personality”
Intrapsychic Explanations (next slide)
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Freud: Psychodynamic Theory
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Internal conflicts (id, ego, & superego)
Crime and the uncontrolled ID
– Unconscious need to express guilt
– Early childhood experiences
– Repressed memories and act out
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Importance of dreams and messages
Endured years of skepticism and critique
Neurological & biological links
Interdisciplinary in many respects
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Learned Behaviour - Cognition
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Environment > Mind > Behaviour
– Frustration-aggression model
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Road rage
– consequence of frustration
– degree of interference
– risk of apprehension
– cathartic
“copy cat”- idols? (Box 6.6)
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Moral Development
“no one with a conscience or moral
fibre would…”
 Sense of morality & responsibility
 Piaget: 4 stages of development
 Kohlberg: 3 levels & 6 stages of
do’s & don’ts
 societal values; universal rights
How does one measure objectively?
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Behavioural Explanations
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Environment > Brain processing >
Behaviour response
Pavlov: classical conditioning
– US + CS > CR = UCR
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Simultaneous, delayed, trace, backward
Avoidance & aversion therapies
– Psychopaths
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Behavioural Explanations
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Skinner: Operant / Instrumental conditioning
Conditioning vs. free-will
Behaviour and reinforcement
Paraphilias
– “abnormal” sexual practices with those that can’t
consent (pedophilia, nonhuman objects, animals)
– linked to what legally defined (historical
evolution)
– muddled with value judgments
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Behavioural Explanations
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Token economy: positive vs. negative
Schedules
– ratio; interval
– behaviour modification
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Restorative Justice and Behaviour
Modification programs
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Summary
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Examine the roots of behaviour
Objectifying attitudes (evil)
Crime a product of internal conflict
Behaviour is cognitive based
Medical analogy
But behaviour is more complex?
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