Psychology and Crime Psychoanalytic Theory/Psychoanalysis
Cognitive Psychology Principles of Learning Personality and Crime
IQ/Intelligence and Crime
Slide 2
Psychoanalytic Theory Sigmund Freud 18561939 Psychic
Determinism A CIGAR IS NEVER JUST A CIGAR
Slide 3
Freudian Elements of Personality Conscious vs. Unconscious Mind
Id: If it feels good, do it! Superego: conscience Stealing is
wrong. Ego: psychological thermostat that regulates the wishes of
the id with the social restrictions of the superego
Slide 4
Defense Mechanisms Used to reduce anxiety REPRESSION
RATIONALIZATION DENIAL PROJECTION
Slide 5
Freudian Explanations of Delinquency Overactive Id Delinquent
Superego Delinquent Ego Crimes with special meaning Translating
psychoanalysis into rehabilitation? Works for articulate adult
neurotics who can talk out their problems
Slide 6
Policy Implications of Freudian Theory Drawbacks Almost
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 theory LOW SELF
CONTROL PRO-CRIMINAL ATTITUDES
Slide 7
Principles of Learning Three types of learning Classical
conditioning Operant conditioning Observational (vicarious)
learning
Slide 8
Classical Conditioning
Slide 9
Principles of Learning Positive reinforcement: increases the
target behavior by rewarding the individual Negative reinforcement:
increases the target behavior by removing an unpleasant stimulus
Punishment: reduces the odds of the target behavior being
repeated
Slide 10
Principles of Learning Delinquency tied to parents failure to
effectively condition their children away from bad behavior
Inconsistent 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).
Slide 11
How to Train Your Parent
Slide 12
Principles of Learning GERALD PATTERSON AND FRIENDS
Slide 13
Observational Learning Albert Bandura (Bobo doll experiments):
most human learning is not based on trial and error (operant
conditioning). Effects on criminal behaviors are difficult to
determine.
Slide 14
Media and Crime Does media (TV and movies) influence
aggression, violence, and criminal behavior? Conducive to role
modeling Perpetrators not punished Targets of violence show little
pain Few long-term negative consequences Some evidence (but still
debate)reducing exposure may reduce aggression
Slide 15
Policy Implications of Behaviorism Criminals can learn
pro-social behaviors to replace criminal actions. Classical
Conditioning Aversion therapy Operant Conditioning Token
economy
Slide 16
Cognitive 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)
Slide 17
Cognitive Structure Kohlberg's theory of moral reasoning:
humans advance through predictable stages of moral reasoning
Self-control Ability to empathize Ability to anticipate
consequences Ability to control anger
Slide 18
Kohlbergs Stages of Moral Development (1 of 2) Stage 1 Right is
blindly obeying those with power and authority. Emphasis is on
avoiding punishment. Interests of others are not considered. Stage
2 Right is furthering ones own interests. Interests of others are
important only as a way to satisfy self-interests. Stage 3 Moral
reasoning is motivated by loyalties to others and a desire to live
up to others standards.
Slide 19
Stage 4 Right is following the rules of society and maintaining
important social institutions (e.g., family, community). Stage 5
Moral decisions are made by weighing individual rights against
legal principles and the common good. Stage 6 Moral 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)
Slide 20
Cognitive Content Rationalizations or denials that support
criminal behavior For example, a criminal thinks, Im not really
hurting anyone. Extremely common for sex offenders Criminals are
more likely to express such thoughts Sociologists are often
skeptical (time-ordering) Psychologists: NEGATIVE
REINFORCEMENT
Slide 21
Policy Implications of Cognitive Psychology Cognitive 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
Slide 22
Theory in Action Multisystematic therapy (MST) Creator Scott
Henggeler and associates Reduces criminal behavior Comprehensive
approach Targets many areas for change Uses many different
techniques (not just cognitive-behavioral programs)
Slide 23
Personality and Crime Crime and delinquency related to the
presence of some personality trait Personality trait: a
characteristic of an individual that is stable over time and across
different social circumstances Personality: the sum of personality
traits that define a person
Slide 24
Personality Traits and Crime (1 of 3) A number of related
traits combine to form super factors Several different models
Five-factor model Tellegens personality model Recent studies use
the Multidimensional Personality Questionnaire (MPQ)
Slide 25
Personality Traits and Crime (2 of 3) Personality dimensions in
the MPQ Constraint Traditionalism Harm avoidance Control Negative
emotionality Aggression Alienation Stress reaction
Slide 26
Personality Traits and Crime (3 of 3) Personality dimensions in
the MPQ Positive emotionality Achievement Social potency Well-being
Social closeness
Slide 27
Criminal Personality: The Psychopath A distinct criminal
personality One of the oldest concepts in criminology MORAL
INSANITY
Slide 28
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 remorse 2. Age 18 or
older 3. A history of child conduct disorder 4. Antisocial behavior
not a product of schizophrenic episode
Slide 29
Psychopath is narrower concept Hervey 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 depth Other Characteristics: Trivial
Sex life, Unreliable, Failure to follow a life plan, Untruthful,
Suicide attempts rarely genuine, Impulsive, Antisocial
behavior
Slide 30
HARE PCL The Psychopathy Checklist Interview Measures different
aspects of psychopathy (each scored on a 0-2 scale) Has produced
very interesting studies (difference between psychopath and non-
psychopath inmates)
Slide 31
Policy Implications of Personality Theory Personality traits
consistently predict delinquency and crime. Criticisms: Personality
traits are often portrayed as impossible to change (See,
Psychopathy) What causes personality traits?
Slide 32
Intelligence and Crime Feeblemindedness was once thought to be
a cause of crime. What exactly is IQ and how does it relate to
criminal behavior?
Slide 33
A Brief History of Intelligence Testing Binet started out like
his peers: Measuring peoples skull size Not much differenceworried
about bias in the tests Developed a hodgepodge of tests measure
identify learning disabled children Not meant to be a measuring
device for intelligence in normal students Translated to English,
used to identify morons and low grade defectives as part of
eugenics
Slide 34
IQ and Crime There 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 predict
Slide 35
IQ and Crime Travis Hirschi and Michael Hindelang The Bell
Curve Direct effect Most criminologists find evidence of indirect
effects IQ School, Peers, etc. Crime
Slide 36
Psychological theories the individual Modern Theory LEARNING
COGNITION and IQ PERSONALITY Many psychological theories translate
well into treatment programs. Conclusion