Psychodynamics

• Superego

  The moralistic part of the personality that represents the ideal self. It is fully developed at the end of the phallic stage when the electra/oedipus complex is resolved. It is based on morality and punishes the ego through guilt of wrongdoing and rewards with pride for moral behaviour.
• Oedipus and Electra Complex

  Oedipus (boys) and Electra (girls) are two complexes based on the same principle; that they are attracted to their opposite sex parent and feel anger and envy towards their same sex parent. For boys, they usually grow out of the oedipus complex at age 7, however for girls to resolve the electra complex, they must identify with their mother.
• How does the superego link to offending?


  Blackburn (1993) argued that if the superego is inadequate then criminal behaviour is inevitable, as the id is given free rein and is not properly controlled.
• What are the three types of inadequate superego?


  • weak
  • deviant
  • over harsh
• Weak Superego


  When the same sex parent is absent during the phallic stage, the child cannot properly internalise a fully formed superego as there is no one to identify with, making criminality more likely.
• Deviant Superego


  If the superego develops around pro-criminal attitudes and has a same sex parent who is a criminal, they will internalise deviant values and therefore offend.
• Deviant Superego


  If the superego develops around pro-criminal attitudes and has a same sex parent who is a criminal, they will internalise deviant values and therefore offend.
• Over Harsh Superego


  When the parent is firm, harsh and unforgiving, the child develops this superego, meaning they have crippling anxiety and guilt. This may unconsciously drive them to commit crime to satisfy the overwhelming need for punishment.
• Bowlby's MDT


  Failure to establish a meaningful bond with mother can lead to the development of an affectionless psychopathy personality type, characterised by a lack of empathy, guilt and feelings for others. Maternally deprived individuals are likely to engage in delinquent acts and cannot develop close relationships with others.