ipl-logo

Psychodynamic Theory Of Criminal Behaviour

675 Words3 Pages

There is no universal theory to explain criminal activity, but trait theories attempt to explain the biology and psychology behind criminal behaviour. Sigmund Freud, an early 20th century psychiatrist, created the psychodynamic theory which is now used to explain delinquent activity in some situations (Siegel, et al., 2013, p. 102). Freud’s theory breaks the human personality into three parts: the id is born with a person and drives their need for life sustaining essentials and instant satisfaction, the ego is developed in early childhood and helps balance the id to keep one’s actions within the social norm, and the superego develops based on the personality and values of the people someone surrounds themselves with (p. 102). The psychodynamic …show more content…

The terms neurotic and psychotic are no longer used but are now referred to as disorders, such as schizophrenia disorder (p. 103). Psychoanalyst’s have found that most criminal minds are dominated by the id and are often unable to control their impulses, leading them to partake in antisocial and potentially criminal acts (p. 103). Noted psychoanalyst, August Aichorn, developed the latent delinquency theory which found that young criminals usually seek instant gratification, satisfy their needs over the needs of others, and do not consider right and wrong when satisfying their needs (pp. 103-104). Since the ego is mostly developed in early childhood, children who grew up in broken homes and were not taught how to conventionally deal with their issues (p. 104). The lack of ego can often lead to a lack of super ago as well and further encourage children to be taken over by the id and partake in criminal behaviour …show more content…

Since they are unable to control their id and decision making process some would argue that these people are unfit to be in society, no matter their age, gender, or any other contributing factors. People biologically more likely to commit crimes can potentially commit crimes that have a negative impact on society. According to the Youth Criminal Justice Act, young offenders charged with aggravated sexual assault can only be sentenced to jail time up to 3 three years and serve the rest of their sentence under supervision in the community (Greenspan et al., 2016, p. 1109). The victims of sexual assault, as well as their family and friends, are likely uncomfortable with the idea of the offender being released back into the community so soon. If biological theories, such as Freud’s psychodynamics, could prove that crime is 100% inherited some would argue that young offenders committing violent crimes, such as aggravated sexual assault, do not deserve a second chance. Supporters of this theory would likely support young offenders being sentenced for life, or in extreme cases, capital punishment. Even if biological theories could prove that crime is completely inherited, each case still needs to be looked at and considered individually. There are different rehabilitation programs for young offenders that help

Show More
Related
536 Words | 3 Pages

These youth have been convicted of dangerous crimes such as rape, murder, arson, burglary, and numerous other offenses. Commonly, the correctional system of America is more into warehousing criminals and focusing on the punishments of the crime; not focusing towards rehabilitation or treatment to attempt to fix the criminal and their behaviors that cause these actions. This particular youth facility was one of the very few to use different forms of aggressive rehabilitation to treat each juvenile. With different types of therapists working at Giddings, there are as many unique treatment sessions to be offered for each offender. During “Part One: The Boys,” Hubner begins discussing how the staff is able to identify if a student is a psychopath and unaffected by the treatment provided.

Read More
902 Words | 4 Pages

Essentially, this theory suggests that crimes and other comparable acts occur due to the lack of self-control (O’Grady 2014, 117-118). Thus, low self-control and criminal opportunity makes way for criminal acts (Broll, 2017). Moreover, the theory suggests that individuals lacking self-control are self-centered, risk-takers, impulsive and lack perseverance (O’Grady 2014, 118). According to Gottfredson and Hirschi, self-control is established early in life (O’Grady 2014, 118). An individual’s degree of self-control is influenced by the quality of parenting during childhood (O’Grady 2014, 118).

Read More
505 Words | 3 Pages

According to research in psychology, the brain contains areas that are responsible for reason, impulse controls, and decision making are not fully developed in minors or juveniles. There is a high percentage of juveniles in the correctional system who have experienced abuses, drug addiction, poverty, and abandonment. Juveniles who commit crimes can still have the ability to turn their lives around through rehabilitation programs. Older criminals are seemingly stuck in their ways. While I do not think that may be the case with Mr. Simmons, since he premeditated his crime and bragged about it afterwards, he should receive life without

Read More
1206 Words | 5 Pages

Within the past couple of decades, criminologists have developed different criminological theories that apply to the social behaviors and decisions of criminals. One of the earliest theories developed regarding criminality is the rational choice theory, in which describes the rationalization of determining if the rewards from committing the crime outweigh the consequences. In Scarver’s case, his decision to engage in criminal activities outweighed the potential consequences, or the other alternatives if he did not engage in such criminal activities. In addition to the rational choice theory, Scarver’s criminality can be related to the social disorganization theory, which describes the influence of one’s social and physical environment on one’s decision to commit a crime. Lastly, the strain theory can be related to Scarver’s criminality as well, as it is used to describe an individual who lacks the means to obtain such goals, and aspirations, so therefore, he or she engages in criminal activities to acquire the goals.

Read More
1004 Words | 5 Pages

This theory clearly rules out the effect of inherited or innate factors, and the last is the cognitive theory, which is based on how the perception of an individual is manifested into affecting his or her potential and capability to commit a crime. (Psychological theories of crime) Relating these theories to the case under study, it’s clear that the behaviour can be traced most times to faulty relationships in the family during the first years of

Read More
679 Words | 3 Pages

The same malleability that makes them vulnerable to peer pressure also makes them promising candidates for rehabilitation. ”(8) This makes the reader believe that, despite the heinous crimes the juveniles committed, they are still able to change. Gail Garinger’s claim of minors not receiving life sentences for the fact that they have the ability to change by using emotional responses in the reader makes her article the least credible.

Read More
767 Words | 4 Pages

In the article “Experts Link Teen Brains Immaturity, Juvenile crime” Malcolm Ritter explains how the brain is developing in the teenage years for reasoning and developing which keeps doing so into the early mid 20s (Ritter 4). It is no question that teens can be immature but if teens are sophisticated enough to come up with an elaborate plan to attempt and commit a crime then this proves they are mature enough to face the consequences and

Read More
582 Words | 3 Pages

The article “Juveniles Don’t Deserve Life Sentences” argues that children in prison need to be given a chance to mature and be rehabilitated (Garinger 9). Because these killers likely committed these crimes on impulse, they would often realize after the fact that they were wrong to do such an action. Therefore, when they are released, they will be more careful and think about their actions before committing. If they are given a life sentence, they will never be given this chance to fix their life. Older people who commit murders are less likely to learn from their mistakes since they put more thought into the killing than adolescents

Read More
1802 Words | 8 Pages

Developmental theories look at how offenders start and end their criminal behaviors. All developmental theories, including the two focused on in this paper, pull from social, psychological, and biological factors to find answers. Both of these theories follow along a trajectory or pathway for offenders. Sampson and Laub’s age-graded theory has offenders following along two possible trajectories. They can either follow along the high risk trajectory or the low risk trajectory.

Read More
1457 Words | 6 Pages

It does not consider other factors such as criminal associations, individual traits, and inner strains, which plays a significant role in determining punishment for the individuals in committing crimes. It is observed that this theory endeavours to know that whether the activities of crime as well as the victim’s choice, criminals commit the activities on start from rational decisions. The theory also determines that criminals consider different elements before committing crime. They engage in the exchange of ideas before reaching on any final decision. These elements consist of consequences of their crimes, which include revealing their families to problems or death, chances of being arrested, and others elements, which comprises of placement of surveillance systems (Walsh & Hemmens, 2010; Lichbach,

Read More
1246 Words | 5 Pages

Therefore, any fearful memory or trauma can influence them or trigger them to react off of impulse and commit the crime. If the brain is naturally developed this way , their is no need for a juvenile to be treated as an adult when an adult brain and Juvenile brain are completely distinctive. The article “ Adolescent brains open to change “ by Laura Sanders elaborates on the common normality between adolescents. “ This dramatic adolescent makeover represents a window of opportunity known as a sensitive period, allowing the brain to be selectively shaped by the outside world”. Many here would probably object that you cannot let the outside world shape you, however these are what studies have proven.

Read More
1967 Words | 8 Pages

Crime causation is the study of the reasons why individuals commit crimes and covers four main theories. The strain theory suggests individuals commit crimes to relieve psychological strain. The social learning theory that suggests individuals commit crimes as a product of their environment. Where control theory suggests that individuals chose an easier alternative to what their environment provides. Lastly, is the anomie theory, a social context where an individual commits a crime in response to alienation from society.

Read More
991 Words | 4 Pages

Fifth, the specific direction of motives and drives is learned from definitions of the legal codes as favorable or unfavorable. Sixth, a person becomes delinquent because of an excess of definitions favorable to violation of law over definitions unfavorable to violation of the law. Seventh, Differential associations may vary in frequency, duration, priority, and intensity. Eighth, the process of learning criminal behavior by association with criminal and anti-criminal patterns involves all of the mechanisms that are involved in any other learning. Lastly, while criminal behavior is an expression of general needs and values, it is not explained by those needs and values, since non-criminal behavior is an expression of the same needs and values.

Read More
1563 Words | 7 Pages

If I was required to determine just one theme that has been exhibited and exemplified throughout my entire undergraduate career at the University of South Carolina, I would be able to say that it would be community. From my coursework, to the community service that I have been a part of, to the research that I have conducted, I have had a concentrated interest in aiding the Carolina, the South Carolina, and the national and global community when I can. Over the four years that I have been here my dedication to my community has transformed, drastically in certain ways. In the beginning I gave swaths of my time to taking part in volunteer projects across Columbia and the state, but over time and through my experiences I came to the realization

Read More
547 Words | 3 Pages

My paper aims to discuss the three different factors of criminal behaviour, what causes it and why. My essay will examine and focus mainly on the genetic makeup of a person, the environment in which they are raised in and gender differences.

Read More

More about Psychodynamic Theory Of Criminal Behaviour

Related Topics

Open Document