How Psychological Research Has Helped in the Understanding...

How psychological research has helped in the understanding of criminal behaviour Bandura (1961) - Bobo doll experiment - Albert Bandura created the bobo doll experiment in 1961, the aim of this experiment was to show that if children where witnesses to aggressive displays by an adult of some sort they would imitate this behaviour when given an opportunity. The tested group contained 36 young girls and 36 young boys all aged between 4 and 5 years which was then divided into 3 groups of 24 – the aggressive condition, the non aggressive condition and the control group. The first group involved the children watching aggressive models, where the children where then subdivided by sex of the role model they were exposed to. The second group†¦show more content†¦This study has helped in the understanding of criminal behaviour as children learn through imitation and the environment which they grow up in have an effect on their behaviour. If a child has been brought up around abuse, criminal activity or consistent aggression then the child is most likely to offend by imitating their role model wh ich could be a parent, sibling or even just a role model which they look up to. Philip Zimbardo (1971) - Stanford prison experiment – Dr Philip Zimbardo created the Stanford prison experiment in 1971, the aim of this experiment was to find out the psychological effects of prison life, and to what extent can moral people be seduced to act immorally. The study consisted of 24 students selected out of 75, the roles of these 24 men were randomly assigned, 12 to play prison guards and 12 to play prisoners. The prison set up was built inside the Stanford’s psychological department, doors where taken of laboratory rooms and replaced with steel bars in order to create cells. At the end of the corridor was the small opening which became the solitary confinement for the ‘bad prisoners’. Throughout the prison there were no windows or clocks to judge the passage in time, which resulted in time distorting experiences. After only a few hours, the participants adapted to their roles well beyond expectations, the officers startingShow MoreRelatedCriminology Theories1039 Words   |  5 Pagesessay. It is said b y Sutherland (1939), that Criminology is made up by â€Å"three great tributaries: The study of crime, the study of those who commit crime and the study of the criminal justice and penal systems†. Criminologists study this topic in an attempt to gain a greater understanding on the motives behind criminal behaviour, so they can provide their own opinion on what they believe â€Å"Criminology† is, this can be shown through different theories that have been created. These opinions will be analysedRead MoreWhy do individuals commit crimes?1381 Words   |  6 Pagesfor centuries, researchers of all kinds have been persistent in analyzing criminals for an answer. 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(Bandura, 1965) This is Referred to as â€Å"monkey see, monkey do.† Bandura’s work is based on the concept all behaviour is learned and so theRead MoreThe Justice And Restorative Justice1621 Words   |  7 Pagesspecific crime (Roche 343). Restorative justice is the the ideal response for the majority of youth involved in criminal activity, as it’s a rehabilitative method that produces positive healing processes and outcomes, especially in comparison to retributive justice approaches. Martin Wright explains that restorative justice involves a fundamental change in the response a society has towards individuals who harm one another. Wright elaborates that this terminology shifts the meaning of crime, stressingRead MoreShould Drugs Be Legalized?2054 Words   |  9 Pageswhether drugs should be legalised has been ongoing for many decades. Legalisation and regulation of some illicit drugs are now on the agenda. 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