assumes that our childhood experiences determine our behaviours and development into adulthood, such as whether we grow up to engage in criminal behaviour or not
Freud (1856)
focused on unconscious development and urges and used this to propose a personality theory.
Through psychoanalysis freud determined that personality developments occur in three stages as we get older and this can lead to abnormal behaviour such as criminal behaviour
Id (the pleasure principle)
first part of our unconscious personality to develop
it is instinctive, animal-like, selfish and pleasure seeking
traits are typical of small children but the Id is the most dominant part of our personality when we are older, likely to behave impulsively, antisocially and criminally
Superego (the morality principle)
last to develop
responsible for conscience, ethics, morals and the sense of right and wrong
develop superego by internalising the values and behaviours of those who socialise us.
if superego is dominant in adulthood then an individual is likely to feel extreme guilt and anxiety
Ego (the reality principle)
responsible for keeping urges and demands of the id and superego balanced, so neither can dominate our personality
enables us to be self-aware and learn through consequences of our behaviours
if the ego is unable to balance the demands of id and superego then our personality may not be stable
