Crim-2

Theories of Crime Causation

Psychological Theories of Crime Causation

Lesson 1 – Overview on psychological theories of crime causation

What is Psychology?

Psychology is about people and focuses on the study of the human mind and behavior.

Psychology is the study of mind and behavior in humans and non-humans.

What is Psychological Criminology?

It encompasses science of behavior and mental process of a criminal

Criminal psychology, also referred to as criminological psychology, is the study of the views, thoughts,
intentions, actions and reactions of criminals and suspects.

Criminal psychiatry Broadly speaking, forensic psychiatry is the scientific study of the relationship
between mental disorders and criminal behavior in a forensic context, and the application of psychiatric
knowledge to crime, criminal and civil law, and the impact of law on human behavior.

Who is Criminal Psychologist

Also known as Forensic Psychologist, is a mental health professional who work within the justice
system.

Criminal psychologists have many roles within legal courts, including being called upon as expert
witnesses and performing psychological assessments on victims and those who have engaged in
criminal behavior.

Three Major Psychological Theories of Crime Causation

1. Psychodynamic Theory - It is centered on the notion that an individual’s early childhood

experience influences his or her likelihood for committing future crime.

Originated by Viennese psychiatrist Sigmund Freud and considered as one of the prominent theories in
psychology.

Human personality is controlled by unconscious mental processes developed in early childhood.

Human personality contains three major components, namely: id, ego and superego

2. Behavioral Theory – Originally created by John B. Watson and popularized by Burrhus Frederic
Skinner commonly known as B.F. Skinner
Behavioral is controlled by unconscious mental processes determined by parental relationships
developed early in childhood as what Freud Believed but others do not, like Watson and Skinner.

Behavioral theory – study of observable behavior rather than unconscious processes; human actions are
developed through learning experiences (social learning theory)

3. Cognitive Theory – Studies the perception of reality and the mental process required to
understand the world we live.

Focuses on mental processes – the way people perceive and mentally represents the world around
them.

Psychological Theories of Crime Causation

Lesson 2 – personality Theorists and theories

Psychological Theories of Crime Causation

These theories explain crime as caused by mental, behavioral or emotional aspects.

Crimes result from abnormal, dysfunctional, or inappropriate mental process within the personality

Gabriel Tarde (1843-1904) in his theory of imitation believed that people learn from one another
through a process of imitation.

Personality Theorists and Theories

1. Psychoanalytic Theory

Pioneered by Sigmund Freud.

Freud thought that human behavior, including violent behavior, was the product of “unconscious” forces
operating within a person’s mind. Freud also felt that early childhood experiences had a profound
impact on adolescent and adult behavior.

Views deviant or antisocial behavior as a result of underdeveloped or overdeveloped superego.

It emphasizes childhood experiences as critically important in shaping adult personality.

Three Elements of Personality (tripartite personality)

1. Id – refers to the instincts, or pleasure-seeking drives or impulses. This is present since birth. Id
is the unconscious state of the mind of a person. Dictates the need and desires (pleasure
principle).

2. Superego – refers to conscience. It sets the moral standard in consonance with the norms of the
society. It is developed at the age of five (morality principle, Conscience of Man).
 3. Ego – refers to the self. Its function is to balance or to mediate between the id and the superego
in the context of reality. (reality principle).

If these three components are properly balanced, the individual can lead a normal life. But if one of the
personality governs at the expense of the others, the individual exhibits abnormal personality traits
(Siegel, 2007).

For Example, upon entering the room you find out that there is a wallet full of money. If you will take
the wallet and will not tell anyone that it’s you who found it;

your conscience (Morality principle) is not working because it didn’t intervene your id (pleasure
principle) and did not tell your ego (Reality principle) that the wallet is not yours, why take it

Types of Personality Conflicts or Anxiety

1. Realistic anxiety – this refers to the feeling of fear towards certain external object, situation, or
action, that the society generally regard as a threat or dangerous to the concerned person. It is
what a person feels when a criminal points the muzzle of his firearm towards him.

2. Moral anxiety – this is a type of anxiety produced by the tensions between the ego and the
superego. In certain times, the id provokes the ego to resort in unacceptable behaviors causing
the superego to regulate the former.

3. Neurotic anxiety – this is produced by the conflict between the id and the ego. This is felt when
the impulses of the id overwhelms the ego. Frustration displacement, losing your temper, and
drinking alcohol, are few examples of neurotic anxiety.

Ego Defense Mechanisms

1. Repression – the most fundamental defense mechanism. It is referred to as “motivated

forgetting”

2. Denial – this refers to the refusal on the person to accept the reality.

3. Projection – in this defense mechanism, the ego attempts to resolve the tension or discomfort
of the individual by attributing the undesirable thoughts, events, feelings, and motives to
another individual. It resembles with the act of blaming only that in literatures, the former is the
most widely used word.

4. Regression - a defense mechanism of the ego in which the person reverts or moves backward in
the earlier stages of development in order to cope with negative situations.

5. Isolation or Intellectualization – this refers to the ego defense mechanism which eliminates the
feeling or emotion associated with a threatening event, object, or person. The strategy is to
become emotionless to pursue normal psychological function.
 6. Sublimation – this is the most mature defense mechanism which involves channeling the stress
or pain through socially accepted behavior.

7. Displacement – a defense mechanism which is the exact opposite of sublimation. In here the
person channels the pain in a socially unacceptable way.

8. Reaction Formation – this is often called “believing the opposite”. A primitive version of
sublimation, this ego defense mechanism changes the anxiety-provoking or unacceptable
impulses into acceptable ones. However, unlike sublimation, reaction formation, reverses the
individual`s conscious experience making him aware of the opposite feeling.

9. Rationalization – a defense mechanism where the ego excuses an inappropriate behavior

though a gesture (often an explanation) that is more acceptable than the real and unconscious
motive.

10. Introjection – an ego defense mechanism where the individual imitates the characteristics of
another to gain acceptance

Freud’s Model of Personality Development (Psychosexual Stage)

1. Oral Stage (Birth To 18 months)

The Oral Stage is the first stage of Sigmund Freud’s theory of psychosexual development, occurring from
birth until approximately 18 months.

During the oral stage, a baby’s libido, or innate pleasure-seeking energy, is focused on the mouth.

Example

The baby derives immense satisfaction from engaging in oral activities such as sucking, biting,
breastfeeding, and chewing various objects, satisfying their inherent desires.

During the oral stages, the baby gets much satisfaction from putting all sorts of things in its mouth to
satisfy the libido.

An example of this stage is an infant who gains pleasure from sucking on a pacifier or bottle. This gives
them satisfaction and helps them learn about their environment.

2. Anal Stage (18 months To 3 Years)

The anal stage is the second stage of psychosexual development happens between the ages of 18
months and three years.

During the anal stage, the libido becomes focused on the anus, and the child derives great pleasure from
defecating.

An example of this stage would be a child who takes pleasure in controlling and releasing their bowels.
Freud believed this type of conflict tends to come to a head in potty training, in which adults impose
restrictions on when and where the child can defecate.

The nature of this first conflict with authority can determine the child’s future relationship with all forms
of authority.

3. Phallic Stage (3 To 6 Years)

The phallic stage, which spans ages three to six, is the third phase of psychosexual development,
identified by Sigmund Freud.

This period is marked by the child’s libido (or desire) focusing on their genitals as the primary source of
pleasure.

In this stage, children become increasingly aware of their bodies, exhibiting a heightened interest in
their own genitals and those of the opposite sex.

sexual attraction to the parent of opposite sex occurs and that parent of the same sex is considered as
rival or competitor. Gender identity is learned by identifying and mimicking the same sex parent.

a. Oedipus Complex – this refers to an instances where in boys built up a warm and loving
relationship with mothers (mommy’s boy)

b. Electra Complex – This refers to an occasion where girls experience an intense emotional
attachment for their fathers (daddy’s girl)

4. Latency Stage (6 Years To 11 years)

The latency stage is the fourth stage of psychosexual development, spanning six years to puberty. The
libido is dormant during this stage, and no further psychosexual development occurs (latent means
hidden).

In this stage, Freud believed sexual impulses are repressed, leading to a period of relative calm.

During this stage, children’s sexual impulses become suppressed (the libido is dormant), and no further
psychosexual development occurs (latent means hidden).

Example

The focus shifts to other pursuits such as education, social relationships, and other skills necessary for
successful adult life.

5. Genital Stage (Puberty To Adult)

The Genital Stage is the fifth and final phase of Freud’s psychosexual development theory, beginning at
puberty and lasting into adulthood.
During this stage, the libido re-emerges after its latent period and is directed towards peers of the other
sex, marking the onset of mature adult sexuality.

During this stage, individuals start to become sexually mature and begin to explore their sexual feelings
and desires more maturely and responsibly.

This period marks the onset of romantic and sexual emotions, leading to the formation of intimate
relationships.

Sexual instinct is directed to heterosexual pleasure, rather than self-pleasure, like during the phallic
stage.

Example

An example of this stage would be a teenager who begins to experience sexual attraction and begins to
explore their sexuality.

Table. Freud’s psychosexual stage

Cognitive Theorists and Theories

1. Moral Development Theory

By Lawrence Kohlberg

a theory which states that morality progress through a series of stages.

The sense of right or wrong is entwined with the person`s progression to the stages.

Delinquent behavior is a result of immaturity in moral development.

Levels of Moral Development

Level 1: Pre-conventional – in this level, actions and moral reasoning are primarily based on its
psychological or physical consequences such as punishment or reward. In here, a person acts in
accordance to the authorities and adults` societal interpretation of right or wrong.

Stage 1 – punishment – obedience orientation this stage includes the use of punishment, so that the
person refrains from doing the action and continues to obey the rules. Moral actions are based on the
obedience of the law to avoid punishment.

Stage 2 – moral actions are based on self interest and sometimes to the interest of others. For example
a person steals money from another person because he needs that money to buy food for his hungry
children

Level 2: Conventional –moral decision making is based on establishing harmonious relationship with
others. An action is adjudged dependent to the expectations of the surrounding individuals.
Stage 3: Good Boy - Nice Girl. in this stage, a person judges an action based on the societal roles and
social expectations before him. This is also known as the “interpersonal relationship” phase. For
example, a child gives away her lunch to a street peasant because she thinks doing so means being nice.

Stage 4: Law and Order Orientation. This stage includes respecting the authorities and following the
rules, as well as doing a person’s duty. For example, a policeman refuses the money offered to him
under the table (illegally) and arrests the offender because he believes this is his duty as an officer of
peace and order.

Level 3: Post - conventional – in this stage, moral actions is based on the established principles of the
person and moral reasoning is directed towards justice.

Stage 5 – Social Contract Orientation. In this stage the person looks at various opinions and values of
different people before coming up with the decision on the morality of the action.

Stage 6 – this is known as the Universal Ethical Principle Orientation. The judgment may become
innate and may even violate the laws and rules as the person becomes attached to his own principles of
justices