Psychodynamic

• The Inadequate superego

  Tripartite personality - superego, ego, id

  The superego is formed at the end of the phallic stage of development when children resolve the oedipus/electra complex

  The superego works on the morality principle and exerts its influence by punishing the ego through guilt for wrongdoing, whilst rewarding it with pride for moral behaviour
• Ronald Blackburn 91993) argued that if the superego is somehow deficit or inadequate then criminal behaviour is inevitable because the id is given 'free rein' and not properly controlled

  Proposed three types of superego:

  • Weak superego
  • Deviant Superego
  • Over-harsh superego
• The weak superego

  If the same-sex parent is absent during the phallic stage, the child cannot internalise a fully-formed superego as there is no opportunity for identification

  This would make immoral or criminal behaviour more likely
• The Deviant Superego

  If the superego that the child internalises has immoral or deviant values this would lead to offending behaviour (eg a boy raised by a criminal father may not associate guilt with wrongdoing)
• The Over-harsh superego

  A healthy superego is like a kind but firm internal parent: has rules, but is also forgiving of transgressions

  In contrast, an excessively punitive or overly harsh superego means the individual is crippled by guilt and anxiety

  This may unconsciously drive the individual to perform criminal acts in order to satisfy the superego's overwhelming need for punishment
• The Maternal Deprivation theory

  Bowlby (1944) argued that the ability to form meaningful relationships in adulthood was dependant upon the child forming a warm, continuous relationship with a mother figure

  The maternal bond was seen by Bowlby as unique, superior to any other, and vital to the Childs well being and development
• The Maternal Deprivation theory

  Failure to establish such a bond during the first few years of life means the child will experience a number of damaging and irreversible consequences in later life

  One of these is the development of a particular personality type, affectionless psychopathy - characterised by a lack of guilt, empathy and feelings of others

  Such maternally deprived individuals are likely to engage in acts of delinquency and cannot develop close relationships with others, as they lack the necessary early experience to do so
• Maternal Deprivation Theory

  Bowlby's 44 thieves study supported these claims as he found (through interviews with the thieves and their families) that 14 of the sample he studied showed personality and behavioural character that could be classified as 'affectionless psychopathy'

  Of this 14, 12 had experienced prolonged separation from their mothers during infancy

  In a non-criminal group, only 2 had experienced similar separation

  Bowlby concluded that the effects of maternal deprivation had caused affectionless and delinquent behaviour among the juvenile thieves