Forensic Psychology

Psychodynamic ExplanationsOf Offending

Review: Poster Race

1. Entitle your poster: “Physiological’ and “Biological” Explanations [Draw a line down the middle of the paper]

2. Draw a typical ‘criminal man’, labelling two distinctive characteristics.3. What types of illnesses did Lombroso link the atavistic form to?4. Name a confounding factor that might affect criminality & particular facial

characteristics.5. What does “somatotype” mean?6. Draw an “ectomorph” body type.7. Draw the body type most associated with criminal tendencies.8. Draw a picture to represent where Sheldon (1949) got his data from?9. What prophecy perhaps better explains the link between body type &

criminality?10. Name another biological factor that can affect body shape? 11.What concordance rate did Grove et al. (1990) find in their twin study

for the heritability of criminality?12. What was particularly distinct about Grove’s (1990) twin study?13. What atypical chromosome pattern was suggested by Jacob’s et al. (1965)?14. What behavioural disorder has been linked in neurophysiology studies?15.Name the hypothesis Hare (1970) proposed linked to APD.16. Name two key psychological debates the biological explanation brings up.

Task: Write the answers to the questions highlighted into your notes

Last Lesson: Newspaper Headline

Winners

AND

Lesson Objective

• To be able to critically discuss psychodynamic theories of offending.

All should be able to describe two psychodynamic theories of offending (A01)

Most should be able to critically discuss at least two psychodynamic theories of offending, using relevant terminology and evidence. (A01 & A02)

Some should be able to critically discuss at least two psychodynamic theories of offending, making comparisons to alternative approaches & key psychological debates. (A01 & A02 + A02)

Start: What do you already know?

Task: In pairs, work out what each of the keywords below are and write a sentence linking it to offending behaviour.

1. Str**t**e of Per*****li*y2. I*3. Ma***n** D*pri***ion4. *4 T*iev**5. D*f*n*e M*cha***m*

Extension: See if you can link all the words together in one summary paragraph.

Class Tasks Brief

• In your pairs choose two activities from A-D to complete. This will help you meet the LO of being able to describe two psychodynamic theories of offending. Be prepared to present your activity to the class. You could be picked at random!

• At the end, the whole class will evaluate the theory.

Three TheoriesThree Theories

1.1. Inadequate Superego Inadequate Superego • Weak Superego • Deviant Superego• Over-harsh Superego

2.2. Defence MechanismsDefence Mechanisms• Denial• Rationalisation• Displacement• Sublimation

3.3. Maternal DeprivationMaternal Deprivation• Bowlby’s 44 Theives - pg.16• Harlow’s Monkeys

TaskTask: In your groupsCreate a 2-3 minute

role play demonstrating how one of the psychodynamic

theories explains offending behaviour. You must write the

script that accompanies it.

(If you wish you may illustrate the concepts

withinA psychoanalysis

session or “interview with Freud or a police

interview”) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mkin1FhojCo

Structure of Personality: Watch until 2.5mins

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEvJ9FTn0SAPsychoanalysis: Watch until 1.5mins

(Task A)(defence

mechanisms only)

Aim: To explain how the structure of personality can be used to explain offending behaviour.

Task:In pairs complete the ‘Structure of

Personality’ Worksheet. Refer to pg 226 to make the link to offending behaviour.

Write between 50-100 words (no more) explaining the link. Create a presentation

to inform the class.

Structure of Personality Structure of Personality (review)(review)

Task B

Theories of Offending:

PsychodynamicMaternal deprivation

• Developed by John Bowlby this theory bases itself on the theory of attachments. http://www.youtube.com/watch?index=16&playnext=1&v=8ljZ4a8Uc8Q&list=PLC08A7DD8AEB4B3EF

Task: Watch the video:Answer the questions below..1. Where does Bowlby feel the origins of mental health lie?

2. Name three influences on Bowlby’s work.

• It states that within the first 2 years of a child’s life (the critical period), if the child is deprived of a continuous and loving relationship it could have damaging and irreversible consequences

• Common effects of maternal deprivation include affectionless psychopathy and below average IQ

• Bowlby’s theory is supported by his own study (44 thieves)

• Extremely influential.

Evidence: Harlow’s Monkey’s

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OrNBEhzjg8I

Aim: To describe the study in your own words to the class verbally or via presentation . Explain how it supports maternal deprivation.

• Describe the two ‘mothers’• What did Harlow find that they were

‘completely unprepared for”?• Write down one ethical and one

methodological criticism with this study.Note: Refer to pg. 12 for details of study.

Task C

Aim: To describe the study to the class using your drawing for as a cue to what you will say.

TASK: Refer to pg. 16-17. Draw a picture to represent the study. The only annotation you can use on your drawing are numbers and a maximum of 15 words.

Evidence: Bowlby’s 44 Thieves

Task D

Evaluation (A02)Task (1) In your groups discuss how the following words can be used to

evaluate the psychodynamic explanations of offending behaviour. You have 10 minutes. You must all be able to define each word and discuss them.

• Falsifiablity• Contradictory Findings (Hint: focus on crime statistics for each gender

& phenomenon of single-parent households)• Retrospective• Causality• Controversial• Scientific• Psychic determinism vs. free will* [For help here; refer to pg. 335 of Pennington &

McLoughlin] • Alternative Explanations*

Task (2) Individually, write an answer to the following question “Briefly discuss one limitation of psychodynamic explanations of crime” (4 marks)

Extension: Find an example of criminal behaviour in the newspaper. Use psychodynamicTheory to explain the behaviour. Present your response in a case-report.

Whole Class Task

Review: “Question Stations”

Task: In pairs, you will have 1 minute at each question. Note your ideas down and move round to the right when the timer sounds.

1. “Explain two ways in which psychoanalytic theory might be used to explain offending behaviour” (4 marks) January 2007

2. “Outline what is meant by atavistic form in relation to offending” (2 marks) January 2011

3. “Outline what is meant by somatotype theory in relation to offending” (2 marks) January 2011

4. “Briefly discuss how Lombroso’s and Sheldon’s theories might have influence modern day views about offending behaviour” (4 marks) January 2011