Clever Grades

🎧 Read Aloud

PSYCHOLOGICAL THEORIES OF OFFENDING BEHAVIOUR

Many psychological theories have been proposed to explain why people engage in offending behaviour. These theories focus on individual differences in personality, cognitive processes, moral development, and social learning.

Theoretical Framework Outline

1

Eysenck’s Theory

Personality dimensions (E, N, P) and conditioning failure.
2

Cognitive Explanations

Moral reasoning and cognitive distortions (e.g., minimalisation).
3

Differential Association

Criminal behavior is learned through social interaction.

Eysenck's Personality Dimensions

Hans Eysenck argued that offending behaviour is more likely when a person has certain personality traits combined with environmental factors.

E

Extraversion (E)

Outgoing, sensation seeking, and impulsive vs. introverted, reserved.
N

Neuroticism (N)

Unstable, anxious/emotional vs. stable, calm.
P

Psychoticism (P)

Aggressive, egocentric, impulsive vs. empathetic, conforming.

Biological Basis & Criticism

✅
Socialisation and ConditioningCriminal behaviour results from a failure to learn socially acceptable behaviour. High E and N make an individual less responsive to conditioning.
❌
CriticismsThe theory may oversimplify criminality and ignore social and environmental factors. Later research found inconsistencies with the psychoticism dimension.

Cognitive Explanations Introduction

Focus on Thought Processes

Cognitive theories focus on the thought processes and decision-making that precede offending. Cognitive factors such as how offenders perceive situations and justify their behaviour can influence crime.

Kohlberg's Moral Reasoning Level

Actions Judged by Consequences (Avoiding Punishment or Gaining Rewards)
Offenders are thought to have immature moral reasoning, often at the pre-conventional level. For example, a criminal might justify theft if they believe it benefits themselves regardless of social rules.

Cognitive Distortions Illustrated

These are biased or faulty thinking patterns that help offenders justify or excuse their criminal behavior.

😠
If someone accidentally bumps into them, they may perceive it as an intentional insult. (Hostile Attribution Bias)
🛡️
A burglar might say “I was only borrowing it” or a sex offender might blame the victim. (Minimalisation)

Advantages of Cognitive Explanations

Focus on Treatability

Cognitive explanations emphasize the role of thought patterns and moral development, which can be targeted in treatments like cognitive-behavioural therapy. They also explain why some people repeat offending despite punishments.

Differential Association: Core Learning Principle

💡

Sutherland's Argument: Criminal behaviour is learned through interaction with others, specifically close friends, family, or peer groups. Learning occurs through communication and imitation.

Impact of Pro-Criminal Attitudes

Key Idea

If individuals are exposed to more pro-criminal attitudes (definitions favourable to violating laws) than anti-criminal attitudes, they are more likely to offend. The social context shapes definitions of right and wrong.

Support and Criticisms

✓

Supportive Evidence

The theory explains why crime rates are higher in certain social groups and how delinquent subcultures form.
✗

Criticisms

It does not explain why some people exposed to criminal influences do not offend. It overlooks biological or personality factors.
Psychological Theories of Offending Behaviour
Q
Eysenck's Personality Dimensions

What are the three personality dimensions in Eysenck’s theory?

A
Answer

Extraversion, Neuroticism, Psychoticism

Q
Personality Traits in Criminals

According to Eysenck, which personality traits are common in criminals?

A
Answer

High extraversion, high neuroticism, and high psychoticism

Q
Biological Basis for Extraverts

What biological basis does Eysenck suggest for extraverts?

A
Answer

Underactive nervous system leading to sensation-seeking behavior

Q
Failure to Learn Social Behaviour

How does Eysenck explain the failure to learn socially acceptable behaviour?

A
Answer

High extraversion and neuroticism reduce responsiveness to conditioning and punishment

Q
Kohlberg’s Theory & Offenders

What does Kohlberg’s theory of moral development suggest about offenders?

A
Answer

Offenders often have immature moral reasoning, usually at the pre-conventional level

Q
Hostile Attribution Bias

Define "hostile attribution bias."

A
Answer

The tendency to interpret ambiguous social cues as hostile or threatening

Q
Minimalisation

What is minimalisation in cognitive distortions?

A
Answer

Downplaying or denying the seriousness of a crime

Q
Differential Association Theory

According to differential association theory, how is criminal behaviour learned?

A
Answer

Through social interaction and exposure to pro-criminal attitudes

Q
Factors in Differential Association Theory

What factors influence learning criminal behaviour in differential association theory?

A
Answer

Frequency, intensity, and duration of exposure to criminal attitudes

Q
Criticism of Eysenck’s Theory

Name one criticism of Eysenck’s theory.

A
Answer

It oversimplifies crime and neglects social factors

Q
Criticism of Differential Association Theory

Why is differential association theory criticized?

A
Answer

It doesn’t explain why some exposed individuals do not offend

Tip: Tap a card to flip. Shuffle or Reset anytime.

🧠 Psychological Theories of Offending Behaviour Quiz

1. Which of the following personality traits did Eysenck NOT include in his criminal personality theory?

Eysenck’s theory focuses on extraversion, neuroticism, and psychoticism; agreeableness is part of other personality models.

2. According to Eysenck, why might individuals with high extraversion be more prone to offending?

Extraverts need greater external stimulation, which may lead to impulsive or risk-taking behaviours.

3. Kohlberg’s theory of moral development suggests offenders are most likely at which level?

Offenders often judge actions by their immediate punishments or rewards (pre-conventional level).

4. What is “hostile attribution bias”?

This bias leads offenders to react aggressively, believing others intend harm.

5. Differential association theory proposes that criminal behaviour is:

It focuses on how exposure to pro-criminal attitudes influences learning offending behaviours.

📊 Results

  • Notes and Quiz
  • Psychology
  • AS & A Level
  • Schizophrenia
  • AQA