Criminal Justice Practice Exam

With whom are psychoanalytic theories of crime causation associated?

1. William Sheldon

2. H. H. Goddard

3. Sigmund Freud

4. Cesare Lombroso

The correct answer is: Sigmund Freud

Psychoanalytic theories of crime causation are fundamentally associated with Sigmund Freud, who developed the framework of psychoanalysis. Freud's theories focus on the influence of the unconscious mind, early childhood experiences, and the inner conflicts that shape human behavior. In the context of criminology, Freud proposed that criminal behavior could arise from unresolved psychological conflicts or disturbances in the personality structure, consisting of the id, ego, and superego. Those who align crime causation with psychoanalytic ideas often explore how emotional dysfunction, repressed traumas, and altered self-views contribute to deviant behavior. This perspective emphasizes understanding the psychological underpinnings of crime rather than exclusively focusing on socio-economic factors or biological predispositions. Other figures mentioned do relate to criminology but do not primarily represent psychoanalytic theories. For instance, William Sheldon is known for his somatotype theory linking physical body types to personality and criminality, and H. H. Goddard is linked to intelligence testing and the concept of feeblemindedness as a contributing factor to criminal behavior. Cesare Lombroso is recognized for his biological determinism and the idea of the "born criminal," suggesting that criminality is inherited and observable through physical traits, which contrasts with the psychological