Sigmund freud
Freud’s Psychoanalytic Theory of Crime
Introduction
Sigmund Freud, the father of psychoanalysis, explained criminal behaviour through the internal conflict in the human mind. According to him, every person’s personality is made up of three elements — Id, Ego, and Superego. Crime occurs when there is an imbalance or conflict between these three parts of the personality.
1. Structure of Human Mind
(a) Id – Instincts and Desires
- The Id is the primitive and unconscious part of the mind.
- It works on the “pleasure principle”, which seeks immediate satisfaction of desires and instincts such as aggression, hunger, and sexual urges.
- It does not care about morality or laws.
- For example: If a person’s Id is strong, they may steal or harm others just to fulfill their desires.
(b) Ego – Reality
- The Ego develops from the Id but works on the “reality principle.”
- It tries to balance the Id’s desires with the real-world rules and expectations.
- The Ego is logical and rational — it helps the person find acceptable ways to satisfy needs.
- Example: The Ego tells the person that stealing is wrong and may have legal punishment.
(c) Superego – Moral Conscience
- The Superego represents the moral standards and values learned from parents and society.
- It acts as the conscience that judges what is right or wrong.
- If the Superego is strong, the person will feel guilt or shame for doing something immoral.
2. Conflict and Crime
Freud believed that crime happens when there is a conflict or imbalance among the three parts:
| Personality Part | Effect of Imbalance |
|---|---|
| Dominant Id | Leads to impulsive and criminal acts to satisfy desires without moral control. |
| Weak Ego | Cannot control the Id; person fails to consider social consequences. |
| Weak Superego | Lacks moral judgment; person feels no guilt after crime. |
| Over-developed Superego | Can cause anxiety and guilt, sometimes leading to self-punishment through criminal acts. |
Thus, crime results from inner psychological conflict — when moral control (Superego) and reality check (Ego) fail to control the instincts of Id.
3. Example
A person who robs a shop may have:
- Strong Id (desire for money and thrill),
- Weak Superego (no moral guilt),
- Weak Ego (cannot stop himself despite knowing it’s wrong).
This internal conflict pushes him to commit the crime.
4. Contribution of Freud’s Theory
- It introduced psychological explanations for crime rather than focusing only on biological or social factors.
- It helped criminologists understand mental illness, guilt, and personality disorders in criminals.
- It influenced later theories like psychoanalytic criminology and treatment-based approaches.
5. Criticisms
- Difficult to scientifically test or prove Freud’s ideas.
- Overemphasis on childhood experiences and unconscious mind.
- Ignores social, economic, and environmental factors influencing crime.
6. Case Example / Application
In certain criminal cases, courts consider psychological imbalance or mental disorder (as per Section 84 of IPC – “Act of a person of unsound mind”).
Although not directly from Freud, such legal defences are inspired by the idea that mental conflict can cause loss of control.
Conclusion
Freud’s psychoanalytic theory shows that crime is not only a result of poverty or bad environment, but also of inner psychological conflict. When the Id dominates and the Ego and Superego fail to control it, a person may turn to crime. Therefore, understanding and correcting mental imbalance is essential for crime prevention and rehabilitation.
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