Evaluating individualistic

• Psychodynamic (weaknesses)

  • theories are no longer accepted
  • relies heavily on the existence of the unconscious mind and critics doubt this even exists As its existence is difficult to prove
  • unscientific and subjective
  • psychodynamic therapies that have been attempted to treat offenders have not been successful
• psychodynamic strengths

  • Researchers have pointed to the importance of early socialisation and family relationships in understanding criminal behaviour (Blackburn, 1993)
• Eysenck (weaknesses)

  • Relies on self-report questionnaires, which may not produce valid results as people may lie
  • personality traits are not stable as people tend to behave differently across different situations
  • Farrington examined a range of studies, showed prisoners are neurotic and psychotic but not extroverted
• social learning theory (weaknesses)

  • based on lab studies which is an artificial setting and findings may not be valid for real-life situations (lacks ecological validity)
  • assumes people’s behaviour is completely determined by their learning experiences and ignores their freedom of choice
  • snapshot study with no long term effects discovered
• SLT strengths

  • research support - Bobo doll shows children who observe aggressive behaviour being rewarded, imitated that behaviour. shows the importance of role models in learning deviant behaviour
• General criticisms of individualistic

  • artificiality - often use lab experiments, how someone behaves in a lab may not reflect how they act in real life.
  • sample bias - often use studies of convicted criminals, may not be representative of criminals who got away.
  • Neglect of social factors - takes little account of social factors such as poverty