Sigmund Freud, a prominent figure in psychology, is known for his major theories on personality development and behavior. One of Freud's key writings is the psychoanalytic theory, which emphasizes the impact of childhood experiences on an individual's personality. According to Freud, our early experiences shape our tendencies to behave in either antisocial or pro-social ways.
Freud's Theory of Personality
Freud proposed that an individual's personality is based on three parts: the id (Pleasure Principle), the ego (Morality Principle), and the superego (Reality Principle). The id represents instinctive desires, such as the need for food, sleep, and sex. The ego aims to find a balance between these desires and the moral values instilled by the superego. A weak or overly harsh superego can lead to deviant behavior, as it affects an individual's ability to distinguish right from wrong.
Psychodynamic Assumptions and Criminal Personality Types
In psychodynamic theory, the unconscious mind plays a significant role in influencing behavior. Eysenck's assumption about criminal personality types underscores the impact of the unconscious mind on criminal behavior. According to this assumption, a weak superego may lead to a lack of concern for right and wrong, while an overly harsh superego may result in high levels of guilt and anxiety, prompting individuals to commit crimes seeking punishment. Affectionless psychopathy and deviant superegos are other types of personalities linked to criminal behavior, highlighting the influence of the unconscious mind on an individual's actions.
Maternal Deprivation and Criminality
Furthermore, John Bowlby's theory of maternal deprivation suggests that criminality can stem from early childhood experiences. Bowlby argues that when children experience maternal deprivation, which involves the loss of attachment with a caregiver due to death, absence, or prolonged separation, it can lead to an increased likelihood of criminal behavior in the future. Bowlby's study of 44 thieves compared with 44 non-thieves provided valuable insights into the impact of early separation from mothers on delinquent behavior. This study highlighted the significance of uninterrupted care during the critical period of child development.
Bowlby Study Evaluation
While Bowlby's study provided rich qualitative data, it faced limitations in terms of accuracy due to the possibility of confabulated memories among the adult participants recalling their early experiences.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Freud's psychoanalytic theory and Bowlby's research on maternal deprivation shed light on the complex interplay of early experiences, unconscious motivations, and personality development in understanding criminal behavior. These theories and assumptions offer valuable insights into the underlying factors contributing to offending behavior, thereby contributing to the advancement of psychological explanations of criminality.
