Download 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)
Copyright © 2006 Pearson Education Canada Inc.
6-1
Learning Objectives





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.
Copyright © 2006 Pearson Education Canada Inc.
6-2
Introduction


Focus on identifying individual factors
as the primary cause of criminality
5 major psychological theories
Psychodynamic
Behavioural
Personality
Cognition
Moral development
Copyright © 2006 Pearson Education Canada Inc.
6-3
The Legacy

Lombroso’s notions of born criminal
– Possessed by evil spirits; ritual abuse; rationale
for punishment
– Positivism and demonology & ‘bad seed’ concept




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
Copyright © 2006 Pearson Education Canada Inc.
6-4
Psychology & Criminality





Aschaffenburg: role of heredity
Maudsley: “moral degeneracy”
Ray: moral insanity
Yochelson & Samenow: “criminal
personality”
Intrapsychic Explanations (next slide)
Copyright © 2006 Pearson Education Canada Inc.
6-5
Freud: Psychodynamic Theory


Internal conflicts (id, ego, & superego)
Crime and the uncontrolled ID
– Unconscious need to express guilt
– Early childhood experiences
– Repressed memories and act out




Importance of dreams and messages
Endured years of skepticism and critique
Neurological & biological links
Interdisciplinary in many respects
Copyright © 2006 Pearson Education Canada Inc.
6-6
Learned Behaviour - Cognition

Environment > Mind > Behaviour
– Frustration-aggression model


Road rage
– consequence of frustration
– degree of interference
– risk of apprehension
– cathartic
“copy cat”- idols? (Box 6.6)
Copyright © 2006 Pearson Education Canada Inc.
6-7
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?
Copyright © 2006 Pearson Education Canada Inc.
6-8
Behavioural Explanations

Environment > Brain processing >
Behaviour response
Pavlov: classical conditioning
– US + CS > CR = UCR


Simultaneous, delayed, trace, backward
Avoidance & aversion therapies
– Psychopaths
Copyright © 2006 Pearson Education Canada Inc.
6-9
Behavioural Explanations




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
Copyright © 2006 Pearson Education Canada Inc.
6 - 10
Behavioural Explanations


Token economy: positive vs. negative
Schedules
– ratio; interval
– behaviour modification

Restorative Justice and Behaviour
Modification programs
Copyright © 2006 Pearson Education Canada Inc.
6 - 11
Summary






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?
Copyright © 2006 Pearson Education Canada Inc.
6 - 12