How do different approaches explain criminal behaviour, and how can offending be reduced or treated?
Criminal behaviour: explanations from the approaches (biological/genetic and neural, learning/social, cognitive), and methods of modifying behaviour (treatment and rehabilitation, anger management, restorative justice). One of six Component 3 behaviours.
An Eduqas A-Level Psychology answer to criminal behaviour, one of the six Component 3 behaviours. Covers biological, learning and cognitive explanations of offending, and methods of modifying behaviour (rehabilitation, anger management, restorative justice), with evaluation for the Implications in the Real World paper.
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What this dot point is asking
Criminal behaviour is one of the six Component 3 behaviours (you study three). You must explain offending using the approaches and describe at least one method of modifying behaviour, then evaluate and apply this.
The answer
Explanations
Methods of modifying criminal behaviour
Evaluation themes
- Effectiveness. Rehabilitation and anger management show some reduction in reoffending, but effects vary and depend on engagement.
- Causes versus symptoms. Treating only one cause (for example anger) may not address the whole picture.
- Punishment versus rehabilitation. Imprisonment alone can increase reoffending, supporting rehabilitative alternatives.
- Ethics and responsibility. Biological explanations raise questions about responsibility (linking to the ethics of neuroscience).
Examples in context
Example 1. Raine and the biological explanation. Raine's finding of reduced prefrontal activity in violent offenders supports a neural explanation of impulsive offending, and underpins the biological account here. It also raises the responsibility issue, connecting Component 3 to the Component 1 debate.
Example 2. Why imprisonment can backfire. If prison causes institutionalisation, stress and contact with other offenders, it may raise reoffending, supporting rehabilitative alternatives such as restorative justice. This is the kind of real-world judgement the component rewards.
Try this
Q1. Explain one biological explanation of criminal behaviour. [3 marks]
- Cue. Reduced prefrontal cortex functioning (as in Raine) weakens impulse control and decision-making, increasing the likelihood of impulsive or aggressive offending (or genetic heritability, or low serotonin).
Q2. Describe how anger management modifies criminal behaviour. [3 marks]
- Cue. It is a cognitive-behavioural programme teaching offenders to recognise triggers, manage physiological arousal and use coping skills to control aggression.
Q3. State one advantage of rehabilitation over imprisonment. [2 marks]
- Cue. Rehabilitation addresses the causes of offending and tends to reduce reoffending, whereas imprisonment can cause harm (institutionalisation, stress) and may increase recidivism.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of WJEC Eduqas exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
Eduqas 201910 marksDescribe one biological and one non-biological explanation of criminal behaviour. [10 marks]Show worked answer →
A description item testing explanations from the approaches (AO1).
Biological explanation: offending may have genetic roots (twin and adoption studies suggesting heritability) and neural correlates (reduced prefrontal functioning linked to poor impulse control, as in Raine; neurotransmitters such as low serotonin in impulsive aggression).
Non-biological (learning or cognitive) explanation: social learning theory (criminal behaviour imitated from reinforced models) and differential association (learning pro-criminal attitudes from associates); or a cognitive explanation (cognitive distortions, hostile attribution bias, poor moral reasoning).
Markers reward an accurate biological explanation and an accurate non-biological one, each with mechanisms or evidence.
Eduqas 202112 marksDiscuss one method of modifying criminal behaviour. [12 marks]Show worked answer →
A discussion item (AO1 plus AO3) reaching a judgement.
A strong answer describes one method, for example anger management (a cognitive-behavioural programme teaching offenders to recognise triggers, manage physiological arousal and use coping skills to control aggression), or restorative justice (bringing offender and victim together so the offender understands the impact and takes responsibility), or rehabilitation and offender-behaviour programmes.
It then evaluates: evidence of some success (for example reduced anger or reoffending), but variable effects, the need for offender engagement, the limits of treating only one cause, and a contrast with imprisonment, which can cause harm and recidivism.
It reaches a judgement: rehabilitation-focused methods that address the causes of offending tend to outperform punishment alone, though success depends on engagement and on tackling multiple causes. Markers reward an accurate method, balanced evaluation and a conclusion.
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Sources & how we know this
- Eduqas GCE A Level in Psychology (A290) specification — Eduqas (2015)