SOCW6135

 

Learning Resources

Required Readings
Andrews, D. A., & Hoge, R. D. (1999). The psychology of criminal conduct and principles of effective prevention and rehabilitation. Forum on Corrections Research. Special Edition, 7(1), 12–14. (Reprint of a paper first published in 1995). Retrieved from http://www.csc-scc.gc.ca/research/forum/special/spe_b_e
Psychology of Criminal Conduct and Principles of Effective Prevention and Rehabilitation by Andrews, D. A.; Hoge, R. D., in Forum on Corrections Research, Vol. 7/Issue 1. Copyright 1995 by Correctional Service of Canada. Reprinted by permission of Correctional Service of Canada via the Copyright Clearance Center.
Bartol, C. R., & Bartol, A. (2017). Criminal behavior: A psychological approach. (11th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall.
Chapter 4, “Origins of Criminal Behavior: Learning and Situational Factors” (pp. 83-110)
Fleming, C. B., Catalano, R. F., Haggerty, K. P., & Abbott, R. D. (2010). Relationships between level and change in family, school, and peer factors during two periods of adolescence and problem behavior at age 19. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 39(6), 670–682.
Silver, E. (2006). Understanding the relationship between mental disorder and violence: The need for a criminological perspective. Law and Human Behavior, 30(6), 685–706.
Stel, M., van den Bos, K., & Bal, M. (2012). On mimicry and the psychology of the belief in a just world: Imitating the behaviors of others reduces the blaming of innocent victims. Social Justice Research, 25(1), 14–24.

Required Media

Laureate Education (Producer). (2014b). Psychological theories of criminal behavior [Video file]. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu

Dr. Charis Kubrin discusses social learning theory to understand criminality. Consider how learning theory may be applicable to crimes.

Note:  The approximate length of this media piece is 9 minutes.

Accessible player –Downloads–Download Video w/CCDownload AudioDownload Transcript

Discussion 1: The Psychology of Criminal Conduct

The Psychology of Criminal Conduct (PCC) is a social learning approach to criminal behavior that posits that criminal behavior is a combination of personality, social learning, and situational factors. This approach assumes that although the causes of crime cannot be scientifically pinpointed, they may be inferred by examining the correlates of criminal behavior. PCC regards the major correlates of criminal behavior as 1) antisocial attitudes, 2) antisocial associates, 3) history of antisocial behavior, and 4) personality factors. These correlates are known as “the big four.” They are used by criminologists and forensic psychology professionals when conducting risk assessments. These assessments are used to identify individuals likely to commit crimes. Evaluating risk is one of the major focuses of PCC, along with the treatment of high-risk offenders.

By Day 3

Post an evaluation of whether or not the psychology of criminal conduct (PCC) is useful for understanding and explaining criminal behavior. Justify your position using specific examples and concepts from the resources or your research.

Note: Put “useful” or “not useful” in the first line of your post. You will be asked to respond to a colleague who argued the opposite position you did.

Be sure to support your postings and responses with specific references to the resources.

Read a selection of your colleagues’ postings.