psychological explanations of crime

• What are Eysenck's dimensions of personality related to criminal behavior?

  • Extraversion: Underactive nervous system
  • Neuroticism: High reactivity in sympathetic nervous system
  • Psychoticism: Higher testosterone levels and aggression
• What are the key components of Eysenck’s Theory of criminal personality?

  • Extraversion: Underactive nervous system, seeks excitement
  • Neuroticism: High reactivity, unpredictable behavior
  • Psychoticism: Higher testosterone, prone to aggression
• How does Eysenck view the origin of personality traits?

  They are biological due to inherited nervous systems.
• What does Eysenck suggest about socialization and offending behavior?

  Offending is developmentally immature and selfish.
• What evidence supports Eysenck’s theory of the criminal personality?

  Higher ENP scores in prisoners than controls.
• What criticism did Moffitt have regarding Eysenck’s theory?

  It oversimplifies differences between offender types.
• What did Barton find regarding Eysenck’s theory and cultural validity?

  Higher introversion in Hispanic and African American prisoners.
• How does Kohlberg relate moral reasoning to offending behavior?

  Offenders tend to have lower moral reasoning levels.
• What is the Heinz dilemma used for in Kohlberg's research?

  To assess moral development stages.
• What is Eysenck's Theory of criminal personality?

  Behavior represented through extraversion and neuroticism
• What characterizes Pre-Conventional morality?

  Focus on punishment and personal gain.
• What three dimensions did Eysenck propose?

  Extraversion, neuroticism, psychoticism
• What defines Conventional morality according to Kohlberg?

  Approval from society and maintaining social order.
• What is Post-Conventional morality?

  Morality based on individual ethical principles.
• What is the basis of Differential Association Theory?

  • Individuals learn values and techniques through interaction.
  • Offending behavior is acquired through socialization.
  • Predicting crime involves frequency, intensity, and duration of exposure to deviant norms.
• How does Differential Association Theory challenge atavistic theory?

  It shifts blame from biology to social circumstances.
• What is a significant strength of Differential Association Theory?

  It explains middle-class and white-collar crime.
• What is a limitation of Differential Association Theory?

  It is difficult to test and lacks scientific credibility.
• What are the key components of Eysenck’s Theory of criminal personality?

  • Extraversion: Underactive nervous system, seeks excitement.
  • Neuroticism: High reactivity, unpredictable behavior.
  • Psychoticism: Higher testosterone, prone to aggression.
• What are the components of the psychodynamic explanation of crime?

  • Id: Immediate gratification, pleasure principle.
  • Ego: Mediator, morality principle, uses defense mechanisms.
  • Superego: Internalized sense of right and wrong.
• What happens if a child has a weak superego?

  Increased likelihood of immoral behavior.
• How does Eysenck view the origin of personality traits?

  They are biological due to inherited nervous systems.
• What is a deviant superego?

  Internalizes immoral values leading to offending.
• What does Eysenck mean by socialization in relation to offending behavior?

  Learning to delay gratification and be socially oriented.
• What is the effect of an over-harsh superego?

  Leads to guilt-driven criminal acts.
• What evidence supports Eysenck’s theory of criminal personality?

  Higher ENP scores in prisoners compared to controls.
• How does the inadequate superego influence moral behavior?

  Primitive emotional demands dominate moral decisions.
• What criticism did Moffitt have regarding Eysenck’s theory?

  It oversimplifies differences between adolescent and lifelong offenders.
• What is Bowlby’s Maternal Deprivation Hypothesis?

  Warm relationship with mother is crucial for development.
• What did Barton find regarding Eysenck’s theory and cultural validity?

  Higher introversion in Hispanic and African American prisoners.
• What is Kohlberg's concept of moral reasoning in relation to offending behavior?

  Decisions on right and wrong are summarized in stages.
• What are the consequences of failing to establish a maternal bond?

  Can lead to affectionless psychopathy.
• What did Bowlby’s 44 thieves study reveal?

  14 out of 44 were affectionless psychopaths.
• What evidence did Kohlberg provide regarding offenders' moral reasoning?

  Offenders tend to have lower moral reasoning levels.
• What characterizes pre-conventional morality according to Kohlberg?

  Focus on punishment and personal gain.
• What is a criticism of Bowlby’s theory?

  It shows correlation, not causation.
• What is conventional morality in Kohlberg's theory?

  Approval from society and maintaining social order.
• What defines post-conventional morality?

  Morality based on contracts and conscience.
• What did Palmer and Hollis find regarding moral reasoning in offenders?

  Offenders showed less mature reasoning in dilemmas.
• How does the type of offense affect moral reasoning according to Thornton and Ried?

  Pre-conventional reasoning is used more in financial crimes.