Question 1

What is the difference between Eysenck's and Bandura's explanations of criminal behaviour?

Accepted Answer

Eysenck's theory is biological: it argues that criminality stems from inherited personality traits (extraversion, neuroticism, psychoticism) that make some people harder to condition into social norms. Bandura's social learning theory is environmental: it claims criminal behaviour is learned through observing and imitating others, especially if the behaviour is reinforced. So one is nature, the other nurture. In exams, you might compare them by noting that Eysenck's theory has weak empirical support (e.g., Farrington found only partial links) while Bandura's has strong experimental evidence (e.g., Bobo doll), but neither fully explains all crime.

Question 2

How do cognitive distortions explain why offenders commit crimes?

Accepted Answer

Cognitive distortions are biased ways of thinking that offenders use to justify their actions and reduce guilt. For example, hostile attribution bias means they interpret neutral or ambiguous situations as threatening, leading to aggressive responses. Minimalisation involves downplaying the harm caused (e.g., 'It was just a small theft'). These distortions allow offenders to maintain a positive self-image and continue offending. Studies like those by Gibbs and Potter show that offenders often have higher levels of these distortions compared to non-offenders.

Question 3

What is the 'What Works' literature in criminal psychology?

Accepted Answer

The 'What Works' literature refers to research that identifies effective interventions for reducing reoffending. It emerged from meta-analyses (e.g., by Andrews and Bonta) which found that programmes based on cognitive-behavioural principles (e.g., challenging distorted thinking, teaching problem-solving) are most effective. Key principles include the Risk-Need-Responsivity model: targeting high-risk offenders, addressing criminogenic needs (e.g., substance abuse), and tailoring treatment to the offender's learning style. This is a key application of criminal psychology in prisons and probation.

Question 4

Do I need to know specific studies for the criminal psychology exam?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you should know at least one key study per theory. For Eysenck, Farrington et al.'s Cambridge Study (longitudinal, found weak support for Eysenck's predictions). For social learning, Bandura's Bobo doll experiment (1961) or a more recent replication. For cognitive distortions, you could use Gibbs et al.'s study on the How I Think questionnaire. For differential association, Sutherland's original theory is enough, but you might reference a study like Short's (1957) on gang delinquency. Always be ready to evaluate these studies for methodology, ethics, and cultural bias.

Question 5

How can I apply criminal psychology to real-life scenarios in the exam?

Accepted Answer

Application questions often ask you to suggest how a theory could be used in a prison or court setting. For example, if asked about reducing reoffending using social learning theory, you could propose a token economy system where prisoners earn rewards for prosocial behaviour (reinforcement), or a mentoring scheme where ex-offenders model positive behaviour. For cognitive distortions, you might suggest cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) to challenge hostile attribution bias. Always link your suggestions directly to the theory's concepts (e.g., 'modelling', 'reinforcement', 'distortions').

Question 6

What are the ethical issues in studying criminal psychology?

Accepted Answer

Key ethical issues include informed consent (offenders may feel pressured to participate), confidentiality (especially if they disclose unreported crimes), and potential harm (e.g., labelling someone as 'criminal' may affect their self-esteem). Researchers must also consider the rights of victims and the public. For example, in Farrington's longitudinal study, participants' data was anonymised, but there is still a risk of stigmatisation. Additionally, some studies (like Bandura's) involved exposing children to aggression, raising concerns about short-term harm. In exams, you should discuss how these issues were addressed (e.g., debriefing, ethical approval) and whether the benefits outweigh the risks.

Section B: Option 2 Criminal psychology

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Related Topics in OCR A-Level Psychology

Applied psychology (Component 03)

Data recording, analysis and presentation

E2E stub topic

How science works

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