Psychodynamic

• What does the psychodynamic explanation of offending suggest

  An inadequate superego - Blackburn (1993): if the superego is deficient or inadequate, the offending behaviour is inevitable because the Id is given free rein and not properly controlled
• 3 types of inadequate superego

  1. The Weak Superego
  2. The Deviant Superego
  3. The Over-Harsh Superego
• How is a weak superego developed?

  If the same gender parent is absent during the phallic stage, a child cannot internalise a fully formed superego as there is no opportunity for identification. This would make immoral or offending behaviour more likely
• How is a deviant superego developed

  If the superego that a child internalises has immoral or deviant values this would lead to offending behaviour e.g. raised by a criminal parent
• How does the over-harsh superego develop

  Excessively disciplinary or overly harsh parenting style leads to an over-harsh superego with a child who is crippled with guilt and anxiety.

  This may (unconsciously) drive the individual to perform criminal acts in order to satisfy the Supergo‘s overwhelming need for punishment
• Why is long term maternal deprivation harmful

  Maternal deprivation in the critical period will affect development and the effects will be permanent
• Affects of maternal deprivation in terms of offending

  Affection-less psychopathy (lack of guilt & empathy)

  • such individuals are more likely to engage in acts of delinquency and cannot develop close relationships with others
• Research supporting maternal deprivation and affection-less psychopathy

  Bowlby’s 44 Juvenile Thieves Study
• Support for the over-harsh superego

  Goreta (1991) found that offenders had disturbances in Supergo formation, leading to guilt and self-punishment

  This supports Freud’s idea of an over-harsh superego causing criminal behaviour
• Limitation- Contradictory Evidence on parenting & Guilt

  Kochanska et al. (2001) contradicts the inadequate superego theory - harsh parenting does not create guilt-ridden children but instead leads to rebellion and a lack of self-criticism
• Limitation- Gender differences & freuds theory

  Freud suggested women have a weaker superego, making them more prone to crime. However, imprisonment rates show more men commit crimes.

  Hoffman (1975) found no major gender differences in morality, challenging freuds claim
• Strength- Early experiences matter

  Psychodynamic explanations were among the first to link childhood experiences to moral behaviour, emphasising emotional factors in offending, which cognitive theories often overlook
• Limitation- Lack of scientific evidence

  Many concepts cannot be empirically tested. Without evidence, these arguments rely on face value rather than scientific validity
• Limitation- correlation does not prove causation

  Hilda Lewis (1954) found a correlation in maternal deprivation and offending, but this does not prove causation as other factors may influence criminal behaviour