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Evolutionary Theory ▪Uses principles of evolution to explain modern human behavior ▪Rape ▪“Cads and dads” theory ▪Criticism ▪Difficult if not impossible to test ▪Evidence sometimes runs counter to predictions
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Evolutionary Theory (2 of 2) ▪Rape ▪Evolutionary processes allow males who are pushy and aggressive in the pursuit of sex to pass on their genes successfully. ▪“Cads and dads” theory ▪Alternative strategies for reproductive success ▪Cads—pretend caregivers who really want to reproduce with as many females as possible ▪Dads—invest time and energy to help nurture and raise offspring
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Summary ▪Many biological factors appear to be related to criminal behavior: ▪Inherited? ▪Results of biological harms? ▪Biological factors contribute to criminality in certain environmental circumstances.
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Biological Theories Criticisms ▪Ignores some types of crimes ▪White-collar ▪Organized ▪Political crime ▪Focuses on aggression or antisocial behavior in children and street crime in adults
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Policy Implications (1 of 2) ▪Still fear of ethical problems ▪Biology not necessarily destiny ▪Provide unsound justifications for the control of minority populations ▪New eugenics ▪Gene therapy ▪Discrimination based on presence of biological risk indicators
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Policy Implications (2 of 2) ▪The upside? Criminality as a public health problem ▪Prenatal care for at-risk mothers ▪Strengthen environmental counterbalances for children with biological risk indicators
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Psychology and Crime ▪How does a psychologist or psychiatrist develop and understand the criminal mind? ▪What does psychology contribute to the study of the criminal mind? ▪What is the psychological approach to the study of crime?
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Psychoanalytic Theory ▪Sigmund Freud ▪1856–1939 ▪Psychic Determinism A CIGAR IS NEVER JUST A CIGAR
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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
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Defense Mechanisms ▪Used to reduce anxiety REPRESSION RATIONALIZATION DENIAL PROJECTION
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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…
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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
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Principles of Learning ▪Three types of learning ▪Classical conditioning ▪Operant conditioning ▪Observational (vicarious) learning
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Classical Conditioning
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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
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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 child’s long-term development (Harris).
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MOLECULAR GENITICS and PARENTING Study: Kids can carry genes magnifying parent's influence “The almost-famous 5-HTTLPR serotonin transporter-promoter gene, which governs the activity of the mood chemical serotonin in the brain and essentially comes in three varieties. About 1 in 5 children are born with a variant that, according to studies, makes them highly sensitive to the effects of neglectful, insensitive or abusive parents”
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Principles of Learning GERALD PATTERSON AND FRIENDS
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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.
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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
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Policy Implications of Behaviorism ▪Criminals can learn pro-social behaviors to replace criminal actions. ▪Classical Conditioning Aversion therapy ▪Operant Conditioning Token economy
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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)
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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
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Kohlberg’s 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 one’s 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 other’s standards.
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▪ 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. Kohlberg’s Stages of Moral Development (2 of 2)
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Cognitive Content ▪Rationalizations or denials that support criminal behavior ▪For example, a criminal thinks, “I’m 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 ▪
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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 individual’s thoughts. ▪Combination cognitive-behavioral have track record of success
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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)
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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
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Personality Traits and Crime (1 of 3) ▪A number of related traits combine to form super factors ▪Several different models ▪Five-factor model ▪Tellegen’s personality model ▪Recent studies use the Multidimensional Personality Questionnaire (MPQ)
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Personality Traits and Crime (2 of 3) ▪Personality dimensions in the MPQ ▪Constraint ▪Traditionalism ▪Harm avoidance ▪Control ▪Negative emotionality ▪Aggression ▪Alienation ▪Stress reaction
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Personality Traits and Crime (3 of 3) ▪Personality dimensions in the MPQ ▪Positive emotionality ▪Achievement ▪Social potency ▪Well-being ▪Social closeness
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Criminal Personality: The Psychopath ▪A distinct “criminal personality” ▪One of the oldest concepts in criminology “MORAL 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 remorse 2. Age 18 or older 3. A history of child conduct disorder 4. Antisocial behavior not a product of schizophrenic episode
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“Psychopath” is narrower concept Hervey Cleckley’s (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
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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)
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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?
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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?
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A Brief History of Intelligence Testing ▪Binet started out like his peers: Measuring people’s skull size Not much difference—worried 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
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IQ and Crime ▪There is an IQ gap of 8–10 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
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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
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▪The common emphasis of all psychological theories is on the individual. ▪Modern Theory LEARNING COGNITION and IQ PERSONALITY ▪Many psychological theories translate well into treatment programs. Conclusion
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