Deck 4: Psychological Theories

Question 1

Research has so far produced inconsistent and inconclusive evidence on personality traits as causes of crime and delinquency.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

Recent research has shown that the most seriously deviant and cruel criminal violence results from a sociopathic or psychopathic personality.

Answer 2

False

Question 3

The treatment implications of psychoanalytic and personality theory are similar in that both direct attention to overt behavior itself rather than to underlying emotional problems.

Answer 3

False

Question 4

Empirical tests of personality trait and psychopathic personality theories of crime and delinquency have no problem with tautology because the items on the personality inventories and checklists measuring them are completely different from the measures of delinquent and antisocial behavior.

Question 5

The Cambridge-Somerville Youth Study was the first major experimental study to provide good empirical evidence that we can successfully identify predelinquents and prevent their future delinquency through humane, consistent, and intensive individual counseling.

Question 6

The Community Treatment Project in California for delinquents was based explicitly on the I-level theory of personality development.

Question 7

According to psychoanalytic theory, a criminal act is less a problem of unresolved unconscious guilt and more a matter of the person suffering from an unrestrained id.

Question 8

Psychoanalytic and personality theories consider criminal behavior to be manifestations of an underlying maladjustment or sickness and therefore recommend treatment of offenders by surgical, medical, and drug therapy.

Question 9

Rather than seeking the causes of crime in biological processes or anomalies, psychoanalytic theory attempts to look deep into the mind of the individual.

Question 10

The concept of the psychopath used in an explanation of criminal behavior is an example of type-of-personality theory rather than personality-trait theory.

Question 11

The Psychopathic Personality Inventory is a self-report assessment instrument designed to measure behavioral attributes of psychopathy.

Question 12

A recent study has linked all of the factors in the Five-Factor Model to receiving criminal justice sanctions in adulthood.

Question 13

According to psychoanalytic theory, crime and delinquency:

A) are caused by personality defects
B) result from an overdeveloped ego
C) are instinctual reactions to environmental stresses
D) are symptoms of underlying irrational and unconscious motivations
E) are caused by brain defects

Question 14

Psychoanalytic explanations of crime focus largely on:

A) psychic conflict that takes place at an unconscious level
B) subjective perceptions of the world and the meanings people attach to them
C) negative emotions and how these are shaped by positive and negative reinforcements in people's environments
D) the development of self-concept in early childhood and adolescence
E) locating the roots of aggression in basic conflicts between males and females

Question 15

From an evaluative perspective, the most serious problem with psychoanalytic theory is that:

A) empirical research has uncovered a great deal of evidence contrary to its assertions
B) it provides little guidance for treatment of offenders
C) its basic concepts are lacking in clarity
D) it is largely untestable
E) it offers a reasonable explanation of "street crime" but cannot explain white-collar crime

Question 16

Which of the following is the best summary statement of the current state of research on the connection between relative enduring "personality traits"-measured through such instruments as the MMPI or the CPI-and crime?

A) There is strong evidence of a connection between crime and major mental illness, such as schizophrenia and major depression.
B) There is strong evidence of a connection between violent crime and major mental illness, such as schizophrenia and major depression.
C) There is consistent evidence that offenders score high on measures of extraversion, whereas nonoffenders tend to be more introverted.
D) At the present time, personality studies report mixed findings and inconclusive results.
E) There is no evidence of any significant personality differences between offenders and nonoffenders.

Question 17

Flora Schieber's research on the murderer Joseph Kallinger is an illustration of:

A) use of a case study and clinical analysis to establish the empirical validity of a theory
B) application of a neuropsychological model to the understanding of crime
C) application of psychoanalytic theory to the understanding of crime
D) a and b
E) a and c

Question 18

How do Moffitt and her associates avoid the tautology problem in research on "conduct disorder"?

A) They treat conduct disorder as a dependent variable.
B) They treat conduct disorder as an independent variable.
C) They avoid the entire subject of conduct disorder in their studies.
D) They don't see a tautology problem with conduct disorder.
E) a and b

Question 19

In his psychopathic personality theory of criminal behavior and its application, Hare proposes that:

A) the psychopath is self-centered, lacks a conscience, and does not feel remorse for the harm he does to others
B) the psychopathic syndrome includes interpersonal, affective, lifestyle, and antisocial behavior dimensions
C) in-depth counseling and treatment have proven effective in rehabilitating psychopaths
D) all of the above
E) a and b only

Question 20

Which of the following is not a trait in the second factor (Impuslive Antisociality) of the psychopathic personality inventory?

A) Egocentricity
B) Nonplanfulness
C) Impulsive Nonconformity
D) Fearlessness
E) Blame Externalization

Question 21

Discuss the central concepts, assumptions, and propositions associated with psychoanalytic explanations of crime. Conclude your discussion with an evaluative critique of psychoanalytic theory from the perspective of both empirical validity and usefulness for social policy.

Question 22

The argument that criminal offenders have personality disorders has received considerable research attention. What support is there for this argument?

Question 23

Since the 1930s, a number of delinquency prevention and treatment programs based primarily on psychological theory and using individualized counseling practices have been established and evaluated. Select three of them, and for each describe the program, the treatment offered, the evaluation study, and the findings on its effectiveness. What conclusions do you reach about the soundness of this approach to theory and practice?

Question 24

What are the central concepts and propositions of personality trait theory and of psychopathic personality theory of criminal behavior? In your discussion provide an evaluation of the two theories, comparing and contrasting them, from the perspective of parsimony, scope, testability, and empirical validity.

Question 25

How are psychological theories similar to biosocial theories? How are they different?

Question 26

What are the 'defining' characteristics of psychopaths? Can psychopaths be rehabilitated?

Question 27

Describe the Five-Factor model. Do you think it is an accurate method for describing personality? How could this model be used in criminal justice?

Question 28

Compare and contrast the Wayne County Clinic and the Cambridge-Somerville Youth Study. What from those two studies should be used to develop a new study?