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Psychology and Crime Psychoanalytic Theory/PsychoanalysisCognitive Psychology Principles of LearningPersonality and CrimeIQ/Intelligence and Crime1Psychoanalytic Theory Sigmund Freud 18561939Psychic DeterminismA CIGAR IS NEVER JUST A CIGAR2Freudian Elements of PersonalityConscious vs. Unconscious MindId: If it feels good, do it!Superego: conscienceStealing is wrong. Ego: psychological thermostat that regulates the wishes of the id with the social restrictions of the superego

3Defense MechanismsUsed to reduce anxietyREPRESSIONRATIONALIZATIONDENIALPROJECTION

4Freudian Explanations of DelinquencyOveractive IdDelinquent SuperegoDelinquent Ego

Crimes with special meaningTranslating psychoanalysis into rehabilitation?Works for articulate adult neurotics who can talk out their problems

5Policy Implications of Freudian TheoryDrawbacksAlmost impossible to test empirically (Cannot be directly observed and measured)Still maintains a place in psychology of criminal behavior Many concepts from Freud used in modern theoryLOW SELF CONTROLPRO-CRIMINAL ATTITUDES6Principles of LearningThree types of learningClassical conditioningOperant conditioningObservational (vicarious) learning 7Classical Conditioning

8Principles of LearningPositive reinforcement: increases the target behavior by rewarding the individualNegative reinforcement: increases the target behavior by removing an unpleasant stimulusPunishment: reduces the odds of the target behavior being repeated

9Principles of LearningDelinquency tied to parents failure to effectively condition their children away from bad behaviorInconsistent and harsh punishment (Glueck and Glueck).Effective parenting (monitoring, punishing, and reinforcing behavior)nondeliquent children (Patterson).Parental behaviors may have few effects on the childs long-term development (Harris).10How to Train Your Parent

Principles of Learning

GERALD PATTERSON AND FRIENDS12Observational LearningAlbert Bandura (Bobo doll experiments): most human learning is not based on trial and error (operant conditioning). Effects on criminal behaviors are difficult to determine.

13Media and CrimeDoes media (TV and movies) influence aggression, violence, and criminal behavior? Conducive to role modelingPerpetrators not punishedTargets of violence show little painFew long-term negative consequencesSome evidence (but still debate)reducing exposure may reduce aggression

14Policy Implications of Behaviorism Criminals can learn pro-social behaviors to replace criminal actions.Classical Conditioning Aversion therapyOperant Conditioning Token economy

15Cognitive Psychology Humans ability to engage in complex thoughts influences behavior.Cognitions (like behaviors) can be learned.Focus on:Cognitive structure (how people think)Cognitive content (what people think)16Cognitive StructureKohlberg's theory of moral reasoning: humans advance through predictable stages of moral reasoningSelf-controlAbility to empathizeAbility to anticipate consequencesAbility to control anger

17Kohlbergs Stages of Moral Development (1 of 2)Stage 1Right is blindly obeying those with power and authority.Emphasis is on avoiding punishment.Interests of others are not considered.Stage 2Right is furthering ones own interests.Interests of others are important only as a way to satisfy self-interests.Stage 3Moral reasoning is motivated by loyalties to others and a desire to live up to others standards.18Stage 4Right is following the rules of society and maintaining important social institutions (e.g., family, community).Stage 5Moral decisions are made by weighing individual rights against legal principles and the common good.Stage 6Moral decisions are based on universal principles (e.g., human dignity, desire for justice).Principles are considered across different contexts and are independent of the law. Kohlbergs Stages of Moral Development (2 of 2)19Cognitive ContentRationalizations or denials that support criminal behaviorFor example, a criminal thinks, Im not really hurting anyone. Extremely common for sex offendersCriminals are more likely to express such thoughtsSociologists are often skeptical (time-ordering)Psychologists: NEGATIVE REINFORCEMENT 20Policy Implications of Cognitive PsychologyCognitive theory translates easily into practice. Cognitive skills programs teach offenders cognitive skills like moral reasoning, anger management, or self-control.Cognitive restructuring attempts to change the content of an individuals thoughts.Combination cognitive-behavioral have track record of success

21Theory in ActionMultisystematic therapy (MST)Creator Scott Henggeler and associatesReduces criminal behaviorComprehensive approachTargets many areas for change Uses many different techniques (not just cognitive-behavioral programs)22Personality and CrimeCrime and delinquency related to the presence of some personality traitPersonality trait: a characteristic of an individual that is stable over time and across different social circumstancesPersonality: the sum of personality traits that define a person

23Personality Traits and Crime (1 of 3) A number of related traits combine to form super factorsSeveral different modelsFive-factor modelTellegens personality modelRecent studies use the Multidimensional Personality Questionnaire (MPQ)24Personality Traits and Crime (2 of 3)Personality dimensions in the MPQConstraintTraditionalismHarm avoidanceControlNegative emotionalityAggressionAlienationStress reaction25Personality Traits and Crime (3 of 3)Personality dimensions in the MPQPositive emotionalityAchievementSocial potencyWell-beingSocial closeness26Criminal Personality:The PsychopathA distinct criminal personalityOne of the oldest concepts in criminologyMORAL INSANITY

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Antisocial Personality Disorder (APD) from DSM-IV

1. Disregard for the rights of others. At least three of the following: behaves in a way that is grounds for arrest, deceitful and manipulative, impulsive, aggressive, irresponsible, lack of remorse2. Age 18 or older3. A history of child conduct disorder4. Antisocial behavior not a product of schizophrenic episode

Psychopath is narrower conceptHervey Cleckleys (1957) The Mask of Sanity

Key features: Manipulative, Superficial charm, Above-average intelligence, Absence of psychotic symptoms, Absence of anxiety, Lack of remorse, Failure to learn from experience, Egocentric, Lack of emotional depthOther Characteristics: Trivial Sex life, Unreliable, Failure to follow a life plan, Untruthful, Suicide attempts rarely genuine, Impulsive, Antisocial behavior

HARE PCLThe Psychopathy ChecklistInterviewMeasures different aspects of psychopathy (each scored on a 0-2 scale)Has produced very interesting studies (difference between psychopath and non-psychopath inmates)Policy Implications of Personality TheoryPersonality traits consistently predict delinquency and crime.Criticisms: Personality traits are often portrayed as impossible to change (See, Psychopathy) What causes personality traits?

31Intelligence and CrimeFeeblemindedness was once thought to be a cause of crime.What exactly is IQ and how does it relate to criminal behavior?

32A Brief History of Intelligence TestingBinet started out like his peers: Measuring peoples skull sizeNot much differenceworried about bias in the testsDeveloped a hodgepodge of tests measure identify learning disabled childrenNot meant to be a measuring device for intelligence in normal studentsTranslated to English, used to identify morons and low grade defectives as part of eugenics 33IQ and CrimeThere is an IQ gap of 810 points between criminals and noncriminals, even when statistically controlled for race and social class.IQ is not a very strong indicator of criminal behavior.But, it does consistently predict34IQ and CrimeTravis Hirschi and Michael HindelangThe Bell CurveDirect effectMost criminologists find evidence of indirect effects

IQ School, Peers, etc. Crime

35Psychological theories the individualModern TheoryLEARNINGCOGNITION and IQPERSONALITY Many psychological theories translate well into treatment programs.Conclusion36