Discuss psychological explanations of offending behaviour. (8 marks)

Psychological explanations of offending behaviour include Eysenck’s theory of the criminal personality, differential association theory, and psychodynamic explanations. Eysenck proposed that individuals high in extraversion, neuroticism, and psychoticism are more likely to offend due to their biologically based personality traits. Differential association theory, developed by Sutherland, suggests that criminal behaviour is learned through interactions with others, especially when individuals are exposed to pro-criminal attitudes and role models. Meanwhile, psychodynamic explanations link offending to unresolved unconscious conflicts, such as a weak or underdeveloped superego, often stemming from poor childhood experiences.

One strength of psychological explanations is that they consider both individual and environmental factors. For example, differential association theory acknowledges the role of peer groups and learned experiences, which adds depth beyond purely biological approaches. This makes the theory more holistic and socially relevant, especially in understanding how criminal behaviour can cluster in certain communities.

 However, one limitation is the difficulty in empirically testing many of these theories. Concepts such as the superego are abstract and unobservable, meaning they lack scientific credibility. This reduces the overall reliability and falsifiability of some psychological explanations.