Freud and the Psychoanalytic Theory In the field of criminology sociological and psychological theories are the two major explanations for the causes of crime. Sigmund Freud (1856-1939) is the founder of psychoanalysis which can be used in criminology to explain crime. Causes of delinquency and criminal behavior are most prominently explained in Freud's psychoanalytic theory, which suggests that an individual's well-being is dependent on a healthy interaction among the id, ego, and the superego. The …showed first 75 words of 1629 total…

…showed last 75 words of 1629 total…is tried "studies have shown that psychoanalytic and therapeutic interventions into career criminals have a very low rate of success." (Sigmund Freud). Freud describes criminality as a psychological conflict between the id, ego and superego. Freud believes that all criminal behavior that occurs as an adult is a result of how the individual grew up and how their parental influences were. His psychoanalytic theory explains all these points, and how an unconscious conflict causes crime.