AC4.1

?
View mindmap
  • AC4.1 criminology and social policy
    • individualistic theories
      • pyschoanalysis and treatment for criminal behaviour is linked to this pyschodynamic theory
        • pyschoanalysis founded by freud is where the patient talks through their thoughts
          • a variety of methods are used in attempt to access unconscious, repressed thoughts that may have caused criminal behavior
            • this treatment assumes that people have repressed trauma from previous life expirences and this led to crime.
        • this is no longer a popular way of treating offenders, it's time consuming and doesn't provide quick solutions.
          • the nature of psychoanalysis creates a power imbalance between the therapist and client which could raise ethical issues.
            • a study in 2010 claimed it worked as well as other forms of pyschotherapy.
              • studies do not recommend using this approach with criminals
      • behaviour modification links to social learning theories
        • focuses on techniques to extinguish undesirable behaviors and promote desirable ones.
          • the idea is that behaviour is rewarded, is reinforced and those that are punished are weakened.
            • the token economy system is an aspect of behavior modification, this is where a token is given for a appropriate action and later exchanged for a treat.
        • Fo and O'Donnell devised a 'buddy system' where adult volunteers were assigned to a young offender to provide a positive reinforcement for good behavior
          • this appeared work with serious offenders but the effect was mixed on those who has committed less serious crime.
            • studies on token economies show that they can be effective within an institution but the effects do not last beyond
      • other policies or treatments
        • social skills training aims to improve skills in order to avoid offending and become more socially competent
          • however sometimes people revert back to previous behaviors
          • anger management aims to help offenders who cannot control their anger and end up expressing it in anti social ways
            • anger management programmes use cognitive behavioural therapy to help offenders deal more effectively with their feelings
    • biological theories
      • neurochemicals (influencing the brain's chemistry by diet)
        • this study shows how it may be able to positively impact on aggressive behavior through a change in diet.
          • Verkkunen et al found that violent offenders had low serotonin levels which can be treated by diet with foods such as fresh salmon.
            • Schoenthaler found reducing sugar reduced anti social behavior by 48% in prisons, all prisons have balance on good health diets.
      • the study of eugenics claimed genes can be linked to behavior
        • part of the reasoning behind the Nazi sterilization programme was to prevent criminals from giving birth to criminal offspring
          • research by Osborn and West in the 70s supports this as they found 40% of boys whose dads had criminal records also offended
            • this compares to 12% of boys who had offended whose dads did not have a criminal background
    • sociological theories
      • left realism
        • informed the polocies on crime made by the new labour of tony blair from 1997-2007. tony blairs approach aimed to be tough on crime and tough on the causes of crime.
          • this was a response to the media and public view that crime and anti social behaviour was getting out of hand in the UK.
            • tough on crime policies have been introduced by successive parties.
              • the three strikes and your out idea, in england and wales refers to if someone is caught 3 times trafficking class a drugs, they will be given a 7 year sentence.
      • right realism
        • pioneered by NYPD, this policy demands that police takes action on all crime.
          • right realists associate with republican and conservative governments so favor 0 tolerance.
            • Ray Mallon said that he would quit if he did not reduce crime by 20% in 18 months using 0 tolerance methods.
            • it claims that as soon as any minor signs of anti social bhaviour or disorder are spotted, they must be checked to prevent the situation deteriorating. (broken window theory)
        • in New York since 1993 major crime fell by 39% and murder by 49%, the UK has seen similar results. Mallon did achieve his goal.
    • penal populism
      • this is where social policies on crime result as a response of government to a public outcry.
      • professor David Wilson pointed out how public outcry, after the brutal murder of toddler Jamie Bulger in 1993, led to calls that the system was being too soft on criminals.
      • this was reflected in media headlines of the time, consequently it lead to more people being imprisoned.
      • the UK now has proportionately, the highest prison population in Europe. the media add the the public's outcry to be tough on crime.

Comments

No comments have yet been made

Similar Criminology resources:

See all Criminology resources »See all Unit 2 AC4.1 resources »