Psychodynamic explanations of offending behaviour
Psychodynamic explanations argue that offending comes from unresolved conflicts in the unconscious mind. Early childhood experiences shape an internal moral guide, and when that guide is weak or distorted, criminal behaviour can follow.
Real World
John Bowlby's (1944) study of 44 juvenile thieves found that 14 of the young offenders were 'affectionless psychopaths' lacking guilt, and almost all of them had experienced prolonged early separation from their mothers — supporting the idea that disrupted attachment weakens the superego.
Exam Focus
Link the weak superego explicitly to the Oedipus complex — examiners expect you to explain the mechanism, not just name it.
Evaluation Scaffold
A four-step framework for high-quality evaluation. Use this for 'assess', 'evaluate', and 'to what extent' questions.
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