Criminal Psychology

• What is the main focus of criminal psychology?

  Understanding criminal behavior and the psychological factors behind it
• Why is crime considered a social construct?


  Because laws differ depending on society and cultural norms
• How do societal norms influence the definition of crime?


  Society decides what is legal or illegal based on what is considered acceptable behavior
• How does the increase in societal deviance relate to the creation of laws?


  As more people deviate from norms, more laws are created to control behavior
• What role do communities play in changing laws?


  Communities can change laws through protests, campaigns, or electing representatives
• What are the two main methods of measuring crime?


  Official statistics and self-report studies
• What is a limitation of self-report studies in measuring crime?


  People may not be completely honest in their answers
• What does the Social Learning Theory suggest about criminal behavior?


  Criminal behavior is learned through observation and imitation
• What is vicarious reinforcement in the context of Social Learning Theory?


  Learning behavior by observing others being rewarded for it
• How does internalization relate to learned behavior?


  Internalization occurs when a behavior becomes part of an individual's response regardless of rewards or punishments
• What is the key criticism of the Social Learning Theory?


  It focuses too much on nurture and ignores the role of nature
• What is the nature versus nurture debate in psychology?


  It discusses whether traits are inherited (nature) or learned through experiences (nurture)
• What are the key factors identified by the Social Learning Theory that can lead to criminal behavior?


  • Observation of role models
  • Vicarious reinforcement
  • Direct reinforcement
  • Internalization of behaviors
• What was the aim of the Cooper & Mackie (1986) study?


  To see whether video games affect violent behavior in children
• What was the independent variable in the Cooper & Mackie study?


  The type of game played (violent or non-violent)
• What did the study find regarding the effect of aggressive video games on children's behavior?


  Participants in aggressive games spent more time playing and showed higher aggression levels
• What is a potential issue with the within-subjects design used in the Cooper & Mackie study?


  Order effects might influence the results
• How does the study evaluate the long-term effects of video games on aggression?


  The study demonstrated that effects were more likely to be observed in the short term
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of the Cooper & Mackie study?


  Strengths:

  • Controlled setting
  • Random allocation of participants

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Small, non-representative sample
  • Ethical concerns with repeated exposure to aggression
• What is more likely to be observed regarding the video game’s effect on behaviour?

  Short-term effects
• What are the key points in evaluating the study on video games and behaviour?

  • Within-subjects design is economical but may have order effects.
  • Independent measures are necessary due to ethical considerations.
  • Sample was not representative; selected by parents.
  • Sample only included boys, limiting generalizability.
  • Small sample size may not represent all children.
  • Only commercially available games were used.
  • Low ecological validity; game aggression may not reflect real-life aggression.
• Why is independent measures necessary in the study of video games and behaviour?


  Due to ethical considerations of exposing participants to aggressive video games
• What limitation does the sample of the study present regarding generalizability?


  The sample only comprised boys, excluding children and older people
• What is a limitation of using only commercially available games in the study?


  They may not represent every type of computer game
• What does low ecological validity imply about the study's findings?


  Computer games are very different from real-life situations
• What is the focus of Eysenck's criteria for psychopathy?


  Some people are more prone to criminal behaviour based on biological and genetic factors
• What are the three dimensions Eysenck identifies that relate to criminal behaviour?


  • Extraversion
  • Neuroticism
  • Psychoticism
• How does Eysenck relate extraversion to criminal behaviour?


  Extraverts are more likely to be impulsive and commit crimes
• What does a high level of psychoticism indicate about a person?


  They are more likely to use extreme methods and show antisocial behaviour
• What does Eysenck's theory suggest about the nature of personality traits related to criminality?


  • Traits are fixed by nature and part of genetic makeup.
  • Psychology can change behaviour, but not genetic predisposition.
• What is psychoticism linked to in the brain?


  A certain dopamine system
• How does the reticular activating system (RAS) relate to extroversion?


  Extroverts need larger stimuli to generate a response
• Why might extroverts be driven to commit crimes according to Eysenck's theory?


  They need extreme stimuli to produce pleasure
• What are the different ways of punishing criminal behaviour?

  • Prisons
  • Community sentences
  • Fines
• What is the role of rehabilitation in relation to crime?


  To reduce criminal/anti-social behaviour and increase pro-social behaviour
• How does restorative justice aim to reduce criminal behaviour?


  By addressing the harm caused and involving victims in the process
• What is the significance of positive role models in reducing criminal behaviour?


  They provide examples of pro-social behaviour for individuals to emulate
• What is the main criticism of correlational studies in psychology?


  They cannot establish cause and effect relationships
• What are the key criticisms of Heaven's study on delinquency and personality traits?


  • Sample limited to one area and specific demographic.
  • Potential for socially desirable answers.
  • Low construct validity due to closed questions.
  • Dropout rate may affect representativeness.
  • Correlational nature limits cause and effect conclusions.
• What was the sample size in Heaven's study?


  212 boys and 116 girls