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(2026 Exams) Psychodynamic Explanation 1

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Freud's Psychodynamic Explanation of Criminal Behaviour

Freud believed all behaviour, including criminal, was as a result of past experiences.

The psychodynamic approach

The psychodynamic approach

  • The psychodynamic approach can be summarised by the following statement:
    • Behaviour is the result of past experiences.
  • Freud proposed that early childhood experiences especially played a role in explaining behaviour.
__Freud__

Freud

  • A reminder of Freud’s psychodynamic approach.
    • Id: the unconscious mind which drives instinct and primal behaviours (aggression and sexual behaviours).
    • Ego: both unconscious and conscious parts of the mind where reality takes hold.
    • Superego: both unconscious and conscious parts of the mind.
Moral reasoning

Moral reasoning

  • The superego involves moral reasoning and is what makes us feel guilty.
  • The id and superego are in conflict as the id wants instantaneous gratification while the superego tries to impose moral reasoning.
Criminal behaviour

Criminal behaviour

  • In terms of criminality: the id is what drives people towards criminal behaviour and the superego keeps the id in check.
  • However, if there is abnormal development in the id, superego or ego in early childhood development, criminal behaviour could be the result.

Dysfunctional Superego

There are two main psychodynamic explanations to criminal behaviour: inadequate superego and defence mechanisms.

__Blackburn (1993)__

Blackburn (1993)

  • The first explanation to criminal behaviour was proposed by Blackburn (1993).
  • He stated that criminality is the result of a dysfunctional superego.
  • There are three possible defects in the superego.
Weak superego:

Weak superego:

  • The superego is unable to keep the id ‘in line’, therefore criminal behaviour is more likely.
  • This is often the case where children do not have the same sex parent in the household.
  • Therefore, they cannot internalise the moral code of the same sex parent.
    • For example, a boy without a father figure.
Deviant superego:

Deviant superego:

  • The superego is less responsive, in other words does not have a standard moral reasoning.
  • This is often the case when the same sex parent is immoral.
  • Therefore, the child will develop an immoral set of beliefs which could result in criminal behaviour.
    • For example, a girl with a criminal mother.
Strong superego:

Strong superego:

  • Superego is responsible for making us feel guilty.
  • However, if the superego is overactive or ‘over-harsh’, even if a person just thinks about acting out the id’s criminal desires, they feel like they should be punished.
  • Therefore, they commit crimes to be caught and then punished.
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Option 2: Stress (A2 only)

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Option 3: Aggression (A2 only)

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Option 3: Forensic Psychology (A2 only)

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Option 3: Addiction (A2 only)

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