Which two of the following statements about Eysenck’s theory of the criminal personality are TRUE?
The criminal personality avoids sensation-seeking situations
The criminal personality cannot be conditioned easily
The criminal personality has a high level of introversion
The criminal personality has an over-aroused nervous system
The criminal personality scores highly on neuroticism
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Outline one cognitive distortion shown by offenders who attempt to justify their crime.
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Briefly outline differential association theory as an explanation for offending.
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Briefly explain one limitation of this theory.
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A psychologist is investigating causes of offending. She interviews offenders who are in prison for violent crime. She asks them to describe their family and early childhood, recording everything that they say. She also looks at information in the offenders’ court and prison reports.
Explain how the psychologist could continue her investigation by carrying out thematic analysis of the interview recordings.
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A psychologist is investigating causes of offending. She interviews offenders who are in prison for violent crime. She asks them to describe their family and early childhood, recording everything that they say. She also looks at information in the offenders’ court and prison reports.
Referring to this investigation, explain the difference between primary and secondary data.
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Describe how cognitive distortions might be involved in offending behaviour.
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Evaluate the role of cognitive distortions in offending.
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Discuss psychodynamic explanations of offending.
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Describe psychodynamic explanation(s) for offending behaviour.
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Researchers studied three generations of several families, noting the frequency and type of offending. They found that sons and grandsons of offenders often committed similar crimes themselves.
The researchers also interviewed people who knew the families, such as friends and neighbours. Most friends and neighbours were not concerned by the offending behaviour, and some said it was a good way to behave in the circumstances.
Describe differential association theory in the context of offending. Refer to the study above in your answer.
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Describe and evaluate cognitive explanations for offending.
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