WEEK 1 REVIEW QUESTIONS

WEEK 1 REVIEW QUESTIONS

1. FREE WILL/DETERMINISM

   • Most people agree with Free Will
   • Most scientific theories & psychology = based on determinism
     • All actions by humans = prior biological or enviro factors
   • Soft Determinism - SEE LIGHT PINK

2. NATURE/NURTURE

   • 'Born Criminals'
   • Biological: Nature
   • Environmental: Nurture
   • Most Theories accept: combination of the two
     • e.g. Biobehavioural perspective
   • Natural isn't always good.e.g. earthquakes

3. NORMAL/PATHOLOGICAL

   • How much behaviour is seen as 'sickness'
   • Varies according to crime: paedophilia vs. assault
   • Do offenders the same motivations as non-offenders or psychologically 'sick'?

4. PERSON/SITUATION

   • All behaviour involves an interaction between characteristics of individual and immediate situations
   • It is both situational and personal variables = crim behaviour
   • Offenders require opportunity

5. DISTINCTION BETWEEN SOCIOLOGICAL & PSYCHOLOGICAL APPROACHES TO UNDERSTANDING CRIME

   • SOCIOLOGICAL APPROACH
     • Theoretical
       • Group explanations: eg culture, society
     • Empirical
       • correlational data - large samples
     • Ideological
       • mix: political issues & science. eg: Marxism, feminism
     • society that causes crime
   • PSYCHOLOGICAL APPROACH
     • Theoretical
       • boxes in the head: learning, attitudes, beliefs
     • Empirical
       • Experimental data: small samples
     • Ideological
       • Try to maintain neutrality
     • individuals and their experience that causes crime
   • OVERLAPS
     • Complementary approaches - Both must be consistent

6. HOW CAN MORAL QUESTIONS INFORM MORAL DEBATE?

   • Science ignores the moral consequences of an idea
   • Science changes when new data arrives
   • All ideas are considered, even if they contradict “obvious” facts

7. WHAT ARE THE SHORTCOMINGS OF THESE DEFINITIONS OF 'MENTAL PATHOLOGY'

   • He is not normal, He has a disease, He is morally sick
     • Medical Model:
       • Biological Psychological & behavioural dysfunction
       • Crim behaviour thought as result = "sickness needed "cured'
     • Linked to Normal vs Pathological
       • 'Mad' or 'Bad'
     • No one condition is sufficient to justify label of Pathology.
       • American Psychiatric Association - must be combination of conditions to = mental disorder.

8. What is the naturalistic fallacy and why is it a fallacy?

   • "What is natural must be good"
     • Many natural events = not good
       • e.g. Cancer, Volcanoes, Painful Childbirth

9. If a person's behaviour is determined, can it still be intentional?

   • Some Cognitive psychologists proposed concept of - 'soft determinism'
     • Soft Determinists believe...
       • Humans capable of conceptual thought but - limited capacity to make choices & control our behaviour.
         • Despite philosophical gap between free-will & determinism - both = similar conclusions