Psychodynamic Theory Of Juvenile Delinquency

The purpose of the Criminal Justice System is to control and prevent crime; ensuring the well being, protection, and safety of all citizens. Juvenile delinquency has been a rising issue over the years and the various methods in addressing this issue seeking a resolution has led to major controversies. One way of measuring juvenile delinquency can result in juveniles being tried in courts as adults often for executing behavior that violates codes of legality resulting in imprisonment. The causes for juvenile delinquency are measured along with theories and research obtained on biological means, society’s impact, and psychological issues. It is also noted, that multiple factors influence juvenile delinquency such as: the juvenile’s morals,

Experts have come to the conclusion that delinquent behaviors are a result of psychological issues. According to the psychodynamic theory, studied by physician Sigmund Freud, law violations are a result of a atypical personality. This personality is developed at an early age and manages to control one’s behavior throughout life. (Meena, 2016, p. 1644-1645). Freud believes in three components of a human’s personality: Id, Ego, and Superego. The id is a primitive component that simply seeks pleasure in which everyone is born with. The ego is developed as one begins to grow and learns how to control the id’s immediate needs of satisfaction. The superego is developed through the interactions one has with: family and others that aid in the development of one’s morals and values (McLeod, 2016). In events that one component surpasses the others, this results in the atypical

Using the psychodynamic theory and research, Erikson was able to conclude that because of these behaviors, adolescents rely on drugs or alcohol as outlets which can lead to other crimes later on in life to simply satisfy the id (Siegel & Welsh, 2015, p. 5). Delinquents are dominated by their id lacking the capability to control spontaneous drives. Delinquents often suffer from weak egos as well being that the individual often lacked love and traumatic experiences as child from broken families and those they loved the most. Once the id takes over in a child’s life, the superego is essentially lost -along with the capability of the individual to distinguish right from wrong. A lack of compassion towards others results in hatred, vengeful, impulsive, and aggressive behavior which increases the chance of juvenile delinquency. (Meena, 2016, p.