The different classical theories of social and personality development

  Classical Theory 1: Psychoanalytic Theory According to Sigmund Freud’s psychoanalytic theory, the hypothetical teen’s criminal behavior can be attributed to unresolved conflicts and unconscious desires from his childhood experiences. Two contrasting hypothetical explanations for the teen’s criminal behavior based on psychoanalytic theory are: Id Dominance: In this scenario, the teen’s criminal behavior can be attributed to the dominance of his id, the primitive part of his personality that operates on the pleasure principle. Perhaps the teen experienced early childhood trauma or neglect, leading to a lack of emotional regulation and an inability to control his impulsive desires. As a result, he may have engaged in criminal activities to fulfill his immediate gratification needs without considering the consequences. Fixation in the Anal Stage: Another possible explanation based on psychoanalytic theory is that the teen may have experienced fixation in the anal stage of development. During this stage (around 1-3 years old), children derive pleasure from their bowel movements and learn to control their bodily functions. If the teen experienced excessive strictness or harsh toilet training during this stage, he may have developed an anal-retentive personality, characterized by stubbornness and a need for control. This fixation could contribute to his criminal behavior as a way to exert power and control over others. Classical Theory 2: Social Learning Theory In contrast to psychoanalytic theory, Albert Bandura’s social learning theory emphasizes the influence of external factors on an individual’s behavior. Two contrasting hypothetical explanations for the teen’s criminal behavior based on social learning theory are: Observational Learning: According to social learning theory, the teen may have learned criminal behavior through observation and imitation of significant others in his environment. If the teen grew up in a community or family where criminal behavior was prevalent or normalized, he may have learned such behaviors as a means of gaining respect, power, or attention from others. This explanation suggests that the teen’s criminal behavior is a learned response to his environment. Reinforcement and Punishment: Social learning theory also highlights the role of reinforcement and punishment in shaping behavior. If the teen experienced a lack of positive reinforcement for pro-social behaviors or faced harsh punishment for minor transgressions, he might have become more inclined towards criminal behavior. This explanation suggests that the teen’s criminal actions may be driven by a desire to seek rewards or avoid punishment that he experienced in his environment. In conclusion, while psychoanalytic theory emphasizes internal conflicts and unconscious desires as explanations for the hypothetical teen’s criminal behavior, social learning theory focuses on external factors such as observational learning and reinforcement. These contrasting theoretical perspectives provide different insights into “what went wrong” in the development of the hypothetical teen, highlighting the importance of both internal psychological processes and external environmental influences in shaping individuals’ behavior.  

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