What is the role of empathy in criminal behavior? Which theories ...

[TVarnum]

What is the role of empathy in criminal behavior? Which theories help explain this?
 
  What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

What are the two major ideas that characterized early psychological theories? How do these apply to criminology today?
 
  What will be an ideal response?

[srodz]

Answer to Question 1

Answer: Answers should focus on psychopathy, moral development theory, and attachment theory. When discussing psychopathy, a lack of empathy or poverty of affect should be identified as the central defining characteristic of a psychopath. Moral development theory stresses the development of empathy as a key element of Kohlbergs highest stage of moral development and argues that individuals evolving to higher stages of moral reasoning and developing the empathetic ability to appreciate the needs and interests of others are unlikely to commit crimes. Attachment theory sees the development of empathy as the single most important factor leading to conformity.

Answer to Question 2

Answer: Answers should identify and define the two main concepts: personality and conditioning. Explanations of how these ideas relate to modern psychological and psychiatric theories should be included.