Trait Theories:
The Works of Sigmund Freud in Relation to Criminology
Sigmund Freud (Born in 1856 and died in 1939) was a prominent psychologist who conceived and developed the Psychodynamic Theory—Psychoanalytic Theory—which comprises three parts and is predicated on sexuality’s influence on the development of a human being, and the effects of that development on the personality exhibited by adults later in life. The purpose of this essay is to briefly explore the influence of Freud’s Psychodynamic Theory on criminology, to further understand the psychology of what causes people to commit criminal acts as adolescents and/or adults.(Siegel, 2013)
There are three parts comprising the Psychodynamic Theory which are composed of subsequently distinct and identifiable characteristics. First is id, characterized by the drive for instant gratification, disregard of the rights of others, and is driven primarily by the pleasure principle. Id directs a person toward the achievement of sex, food, and any other life sustaining necessities.(Siegel, 2013)
Second is the ego, a component of the personality acting to compensate for the demands of id. The ego is guided by the reality principle which enables one to learn by experience, the consequences of one’s actions. The principle takes into account the practicality of social conventions and …show more content…
This concept suggests that if, or when, an event of significant conflict or trauma occurs during one or more stage of eros, a person may become fixated on that aspect of their development. I.e., according to Freud people who experience trauma during the first year of their life will develop oral fixations like smoking cigarettes, drinking alcohol or using drugs. Importantly, the concept of fixation concludes that adult behaviors are rooted in childhood events such as trauma and conflict. (Siegel,
The Works of Sigmund Freud in Relation to Criminology
Sigmund Freud (Born in 1856 and died in 1939) was a prominent psychologist who conceived and developed the Psychodynamic Theory—Psychoanalytic Theory—which comprises three parts and is predicated on sexuality’s influence on the development of a human being, and the effects of that development on the personality exhibited by adults later in life. The purpose of this essay is to briefly explore the influence of Freud’s Psychodynamic Theory on criminology, to further understand the psychology of what causes people to commit criminal acts as adolescents and/or adults.(Siegel, 2013)
There are three parts comprising the Psychodynamic Theory which are composed of subsequently distinct and identifiable characteristics. First is id, characterized by the drive for instant gratification, disregard of the rights of others, and is driven primarily by the pleasure principle. Id directs a person toward the achievement of sex, food, and any other life sustaining necessities.(Siegel, 2013)
Second is the ego, a component of the personality acting to compensate for the demands of id. The ego is guided by the reality principle which enables one to learn by experience, the consequences of one’s actions. The principle takes into account the practicality of social conventions and …show more content…
This concept suggests that if, or when, an event of significant conflict or trauma occurs during one or more stage of eros, a person may become fixated on that aspect of their development. I.e., according to Freud people who experience trauma during the first year of their life will develop oral fixations like smoking cigarettes, drinking alcohol or using drugs. Importantly, the concept of fixation concludes that adult behaviors are rooted in childhood events such as trauma and conflict. (Siegel,