Psychology paper 1

• What is criminal behaviour?


  Any act that goes against the law of the land.
• What are the types of crime?

  • Violent (e.g. injuring another)
  • Drug related (e.g. using illegal substances)
  • Acquisitive (e.g. theft)
  • Sexual (e.g. rape)
  • Anti-social (e.g. vandalism)
• How does society influence what is considered criminal behaviour?

  Society determines what is considered criminal behaviour, which can change over time and place.
• What does deviation from norms mean in the context of crime?


  Crime is when an act or behaviour goes against what is expected in society.
• What role does culture play in defining criminal behaviour?


  Culture provides a collective set of norms that determines a way of life for a group of people, which can change over time.
• How is crime measured?


  Crime is measured using self-report methods.
• What is a criticism of self-report methods in measuring crime?


  Self-report methods may not be reliable, and not all crimes are necessarily reported.
• What are the key components of Social Learning Theory in criminal psychology?


  1. Role models/modelling
  2. Identification
  3. Observation
  4. Imitation
  5. Reinforcement (vicarious and direct)
  6. Internalisation
• What is the role of self-efficacy in Social Learning Theory?


  Those who lack belief in themselves may be more likely to imitate the behaviours of others.
• What is a criticism of Social Learning Theory?


  It ignores the role of nature in criminal behaviour.
• What was the aim of Cooper and Mackie's (1986) study?


  To investigate if playing an aggressive video game would lead to an increase in aggression in children.
• What was the methodology used in Cooper and Mackie's (1986) study?


  • Laboratory experiment with independent measures design
  • IV: game played
  • DV: aggression levels after playing or observing the game
• What were the conditions in Cooper and Mackie's (1986) study?


  Missile Command (aggressive), Pac-Man (non-aggressive), and paper and pen maze games (control).
• What were the results of Cooper and Mackie's (1986) study?


  Participants in the aggressive game condition spent more time playing with aggressive toys.
• What conclusion was drawn from Cooper and Mackie's (1986) study?


  Girls were more aggressive after playing the aggressive game due to increased arousal leading to a disinhibition effect.
• What is a criticism of Cooper and Mackie's (1986) study regarding its sample?


  The sample was biased.
• What are some applications for reducing criminal behaviour?

  Punishments, deterrents, rehabilitation, and restorative justice.
• What are the types of punishments used to reduce criminal behaviour?

  • Prisons
  • Fines
  • Community sentences
• What is the purpose of deterrents in criminal psychology?


  To reduce the likelihood of a crime being committed.
• What is the goal of rehabilitation in criminal psychology?


  To promote pro-social behaviour and teach social skills.
• What is restorative justice?


  Rehabilitating offenders by making them aware of the consequences of their actions.
• What is Eysenck’s Personality Trait Theory related to criminal behaviour?


  It suggests that certain personality traits are associated with people who commit crimes.
• What are the supertraits in Eysenck’s theory?


  • Extraversion
  • Neuroticism
  • Psychoticism
• How does the Central Nervous System relate to criminal behaviour in Eysenck’s theory?


  Lower arousal of the CNS leads to a hunger for stimulation, which can be gained from criminal behaviour.
• What is the role of the Dopamine reward system in criminal behaviour?


  It is responsible for experiencing pleasure, and extroverts respond positively to reinforcers, increasing dopamine release.
• How does the Autonomic Nervous System relate to violent behaviour?


  It becomes over-aroused in neurotic individuals, leading to violent behaviour.
• What is a criticism of Eysenck’s Personality Trait Theory?


  It ignores individual differences among criminals.
• What was the aim of Heaven's (1996) study?


  To investigate if psychoticism, extraversion, and self-esteem predict delinquent behaviour.
• What were the findings of Heaven's (1996) study?


  • Positive correlation between psychoticism and delinquency
  • Weaker correlation between extraversion and delinquency
  • Negative correlation between self-esteem and delinquency
• What is a criticism of Heaven's (1996) study regarding its sample?


  The sample was culturally biased.
• What is development in psychology?


  How we change and mature across our lifetime.
• What are the stages of development?

  • Pre-natal (from conception to birth)
  • Childhood (from birth to 12)
  • Adolescence (from 13-19)
  • Adulthood (20+)
• What happens during the pre-natal stage of development?

  Development of the neural tube, cerebral cortex, neurons, and simple synapses.
• What cognitive developments occur during childhood?


  More neural connections and understanding of cause and effect as connections strengthen.
• What is significant about the adolescence stage of development?


  Grey matter reaches maximum density, and maturation of the limbic system and pre-frontal cortex occurs.
• What is the importance of IQ tests?


  They measure how we learn, think, and problem-solve.
• What are the key components of Piaget’s Stage Theory?


  • Invariant and universal stages
  • Development of schemas through assimilation and accommodation
• What are the stages in Piaget’s Stage Theory?


  Sensorimotor, Pre-operational, Concrete Operational, and Formal Operational.
• What is object permanence in the sensorimotor stage?


  Understanding that something still exists even if it is hidden from view.
• What are some characteristics of the pre-operational stage?


  Animism, irreversibility, lack of conservation, and egocentrism.