02A-CRIM2-WK10-LESSON PROPER

Psychological Theory

This theory has a general perspective that looks to the psychological functioning, development,
and adjustment of an individual in explaining criminal or deviant acts. It focuses on the association among
intelligence, personality, learning and criminal behavior. It further explains criminal behavior, in part as
factors affecting individuals such as negative childhood experiences, or incomplete cognitive development.
What are the probes of the psychological theory?

1. Charles goring (1870-1919)

Findings:
a. There was a relationship between crime and flawed intelligence. Goring examined more than
3,000 convicts in England.
b. Criminals are more likely to be insane, to be unintelligent, and to exhibit poor social behavior.
2. Gabriel Tarde (1843-1904)
Findings:
a. Maintained that individuals learn each other and ultimately imitate one another.
b. Out of 100 individuals, only 1 was creative or inventive and the remainder were prone to
imitation (Jacoby, 2004)
Psychodynamic theory
This theory was originated by Sigmund Freud (1856-1939), the founder of
psychoanalysis. He thought that human behavior, including violent behavior, was the product
of “unconscious” forces operating within a person’s mind and felt that early childhood
experience had a profound impact on adolescent and adult behavior.
Individual’s personality is controlled by unconscious mental processes that are
grounded in early childhood. Child experiences influences his or her like hood for committing
future crimes.

SIGMUND FREUD (1856-1939) In his theory PERSONALITY IS COMPRISED OF THREE

COMPONENTS:
a. ID
This stand for instinctual drives; the primitive part of the individual’s mental make-up present at
birth. It represents the unconscious biological drives for food, sex and other necessities over
the life span which is concerned with instant pleasure or gratification while disregarding
concern for others. This is known as the pleasure principle, and is often paramount when
discussing criminal behavior.
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https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.verywellmind.com%2Fwhat-is-the-id-
2795275&psig=AOvVaw0iwYKVuUA5V4WxoAeTbzGu&ust=1596693176252000&source=images&cd=v
fe&ved=0CAIQjRxqFwoTCPDY3vivg-sCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAD
b. Ego
This is considered to be the sensible and governed by the reality principle. It is developed
early and compensates for the demands of the id by helping the individual guide his actions to
remain within the boundaries of accepted social behavior. It compensates for the demands of
the id by guiding an individual’s actions or behaviors to keep him or her within the boundaries
of society.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Faminoapps.com%2Fc%2Fanime%2Fpage%2Fblog%2Ft
he-id-ego-and-superego-anime-and-
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93619238000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAIQjRxqFwoTCLjIzr-xg-sCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAD

c. Superego
It serves as the moral conscience of an individual. It is structured by what values were
taught by the parents, the school and the community, as well as belief in God; it is largely
responsible for making a person follow the moral codes of society. It is divided into two parts:
conscience (tells what is right or wrong) and ego ideal (direct the individual to morally
acceptable and responsible behaviors, which may not be pleasurable.
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https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.simplypsychology.org%2Fpsyche.html&psig=AOvV
aw19w0VTBUgHPjLT6Zk1CwjQ&ust=1596693745977000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAIQjRxqFwoTC
Njn6omyg-sCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAQ

What are the types of mood disorders?

1. Conduct disorder
It is manifested as a group of behavioral and emotional problems in young adults. These
children diagnosed with conduct disorder are viewed by adults, other children, and
agencies of the state as “trouble,” “bad” “delinquent” or even “mentally ill.” The most
prominent causes are child abuse, brain damage, genetics, poor school performance, and
a traumatic event.
Possible Treatments
Medical doctors or psychological clinician consider convincing the child to develop a good
attitude learn to cooperate, trust others, and eliminate fear in their lives.

2. Oppositional defiant disorder (siegal, 2008)

Children showing defiance; uncooperativeness; irritability; a vey negative attitude, a
tendency to lose temper and exhibit deliberately annoying behaviors toward peers, parent,
teacher, and other authority figures, such as police officers (siegal,2008)
Theories explaining this disorder
1. Problem begins in children as early as the toddler years.
2. Adolescents and small children who develop oppositional defiant disorder may have experienced a
difficult time developing independent or autonomous skill and learning to separate from their
primary caretaker or attachment figure.

Symptoms
1. Frequent temper tantrums
2. Excessive arguments with adults
3. Refusal to comply with adult requests
4. Questioning rules
5. Refusing to follow rules
6. Engaging in behavior intended to annoy or upset others
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7. Blaming others for one’s misbehaviors or mistakes

8. Being easily annoyed by others
9. Frequently having an angry attitude
10. Speaking harshly or unkindly
11. Deliberately behaving in ways that seek revenge
Treatment
1. Psychotherapy that teaches problem-solving skills communication skills impulse control, and anger
management skills
2. Family therapy focused on making changes within the family system with the desired goal of
improve family interaction and communication skills.
3. Peer group therapy, which is focused on developing social skill and interpersonal skills, also option.
4. Medication.
Psychoses - Identified as the most serious mental disturbances (siegal, 2008)
Examples of Mental Health Disorders
a. Bipolar Disorder
It is marked by extreme highs and lows; the person alternates between excited, assertive and
loud behavior and lethargic, listless, and melancholic behavior.
b. Schizophrenia
Individuals often exhibit illogical incoherent thought processes, and they often lack insight into
their behavior and do not understand reality.
3. Behavioral Theory
It maintains that all human actions are developed through learning experiences. Rather than focus on
unconscious personality traits or cognitive development pattern produced early in childhood, behavior
theorist are concerned with actual behaviors in people’s daily lives.

Four factors help produce violence

1. A stressful event or stimulus
2. Aggressive skills or techniques learned through observing others
3. A belief that aggression or violence will be socially rewarded
4. A value system that condones violent acts within certain social contexts.

Read the summary of the video “behavioral theory”

Visit the link: https://youtu.be/x7wZCtFWblE to view the actual video
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Behaviorism, also known as behavioral psychology, is a theory of learning based on the idea
that all behaviors are acquired through conditioning. Conditioning occurs through interaction with the
environment. Behaviorists believe that our responses to environmental stimuli shape our actions. Behavior
can be studied in a systematic and observable manner regardless of internal mental states.