Human Behavior & Victimology
Human Behavior & Victimology
VICTIMOLOGY
Is a process in which a progressive series of changes occurs as a result of maturation and experience.
According to Newman (2015), human development emphasizes the patterns of “constancy and change
across the life span” and identifies the processes that account for such patterns. They argue that development
implies a process that happens over time and has a specific direction.
DEVELOPMENT FOLLOWS A
DEFINITE AND PREDICTABLE
PATTERN
DEVELOPMENT IS AIDED BY STIMULATION THERE ARE SOCIAL
This can be achieved by stimulating EXPECTATIONS FOR EVERY
development by directly encouraging an individual to
utilize an ability, which is in the process of development. STAGE OF DEVELOPMENT
e.G A baby exposed to music and conversation from an All cultural groups expect their
early age may develop stronger language skills.
members to familiarize themselves with
DEVELOPMENT IS AFFECTED BY CULTURAL essentials skills and acquire certain
CHANGES
approved behavioral patterns at various
An individual’s development often conforms
to cultural standards; hence changes in these standards age during one’s lifetime
can also affect one’s developmental pattern
e.g Society expects teenagers to attend
e.g Children today grow up using technology, shaping
their learning and social interactions differently than past
school and adults to pursue a career or
generations. family life.
1. ID – this stands for instinctual drives. It is
governed by the “pleasure principle”. The id
PSYSCHOLOGICAL impulses are not social and must be repressed or
THEORIES ON HUMAN adapted so that they may become socially
acceptable.
DEVELOPMENT
2. EGO – this is considered to be the sensible and
1. PSYCHOANALYTIC THEORIES responsible part of an individual’s personality and
As one of the most popular theories of is governed by the “reality principle”. It is
development, Psychoanalytic theory originated with the developed early in life and compensate for the
work of SIGMUND FREUD who argued that childhood demands of the id by helping the individual guide
experiences and unconscious desires ultimately his actions to remain within the boundaries of
influence our behaviors as adults. accepted social behavior; it is the objective,
Sigmund Freud- He is recognized as the FATHER OF rational part of the personality.
PSYCHOANALYSIS. 3. SUPEREGO – serves as the moral conscience
- He is known for his psychoanalytic theory. of an individual. It is structured by what values
- According to him, criminality is caused by the imbalance were taught by the parents, the school and the
of the three (3) components of personality: the id, the ego, community as well as belief in God. It is largely
and the superego. responsible for making a person follow the moral
- According to him there are three parts of personality: codes of society.
Conscious Mind (Aware thoughts and decisions)
•While studying for an exam, you actively focus on reading and understanding the material.
•You decide what to eat for lunch and make a choice based on what you're craving.
Anything an individual does that involves self-initiated action and/or reaction to a given
situation/stimulus.
The sum total of man's reaction to his environment or the way human beings act.
It is composed of adoptive adjustments people make as they cope with one another, problems,
opportunities, and working together-aspects in a given situation.
Refers to a voluntary or involuntary attitude of a person to adapt and fit society’s values and
ideas of what is right and wrong.
It also refers to a range of actions demonstrated by humans in conjunction with their
environment and in response to various stimuli, whether conscious or subconscious, internal or external,
voluntary or involuntary and overt or covert.
e.g. A person instinctively pulls their hand away after touching something hot.
Human Beings
Human beings are intelligent social animals with the mental capacity to comprehend, infer and think in
rational ways.
e.g Humans have the unique ability to create art, invent tools, and communicate complex ideas.
CRIMINAL PSYCHOLOGY
In general, psychology is the science of behavior and mental processes. This means that psychologists
use the methods of science to investigate all kinds of behavior and mental processes, from the activity of a
single nerve cell to the social conflict in a complex society (Bernstein, et al, 1991).
In particular, Criminal Psychology is a sub-field of general psychology where criminal behavior is
only, in part by which phenomena psychologists choose to study.
e.g A psychologist studies the thought patterns of serial offenders to understand their motivations and
predict future behavior.
COMMON SEEN BEHAVIOR
Normal Behavior (adaptive or adjusted behavior) – the standard behavior, the totality accepted behavior
because they follow the standard norms of society. Understanding criminal behavior includes the idea of knowing
what characterized a normal person from an abnormal one. A normal person is characterized by: Efficient perception
of reality, Self-knowledge, Ability to exercise voluntary control over his behavior, Self-esteem and acceptance,
Productivity, Ability to form affectionate relationship with others.
b. Learned (Operant) Behavior – It involves knowing or adaptation that enhances human beings’
ability to cope with changes in the environment in ways which improve the chances of survival. It
may be acquired through environment or training
e.g., good command of English, logical problem-solving technique, job skills, and other learned
expertise that give people more control over their lives. It is this behavior that sets human being apart
from other animals.
Classifications of Human Behavior
Habitual – It refers to motorized behavior
usually manifested in language and emotion.
CONSIDERATIONS FOR INHERITED Saying "thank you" when receiving
BEHAVIOR
something.
1. PHYSICAL TRAITS – human inherit many physical
Instinctive – It is generally unlearned and
traits from parents or ancestors simply comes out of man’s instinct which
2. MENTAL TRAITS – many scientists believe that level can be seen among instinct survival
of intelligence and special talents are inherited
behaviors. Pulling your hand away from a
hot surface.
CONSIDERATIONS OF LEARNED BEHAVIOR
1. ENVIRONENT – after birth, the infant is exposed to Symbolic – It is a behavior that is usually
an external environment that is extremely variable. carried out by means of unsaid words and
2. TRAINING – Is closely related to environment and shown through symbols or body signs.
includes all social, educational, cultural, moral and
religious agencies with which the child comes into Nodding to indicate agreement.
contact Complex – It is a behavior that combines
3. EFFORTS OF THE WILL – by means of the will, two or more of the classified ones. A teacher
inherited capacities are realized and intellectual
opportunities are utilized. explaining a lesson while using hand
gestures (symbolic + habitual).
4. Psychoanalytical View – It emphasizes unconscious motives
that originate from aggressive impulses in childhood.
Someone who was frequently scolded as a child
Views/Perspective in Human Behavior may develop low self-esteem and a fear of
authority figures.
1. Neurological View – It deals with human actions in 5. Humanistic View – It focuses on the subject’s experience,
relation to events taking place inside the body such as freedom of choice and motivation toward self-actualization.
the brain and the nervous system. A person with an artist pursues painting full-time because it
Parkinson’s disease has difficulty fulfills their passion and sense of purpose.
controlling movement due to a lack of
dopamine in the brain. CAUSES OF CONFLICTS IN HUMAN BEHAVIOR
2. Behavioral View – It emphasizes on external 1. PHYSICAL CAUSES – refer to natural causes, like typhoon,
functions of the human being that can be observed and an earthquake, flood or storm
measured. A teacher rewards students with 2. SOCIAL CONFLICTS – Involve restrictions on rules in the
stickers for good behavior, encouraging home, in school and in the community
them to repeat it. 3. ECONOMIC CONFLICTS – result from one’s inability to
3. Cognitive View – It is concerned with the way the acquire material things because of poverty or other financial
brain processes and transforms information into various obligations.
ways. A student uses mnemonics to
memorize information for an exam.
ASPECTS OF BEHAVIOR
Frustration refers to the unpleasant feelings that result Broad Reactions to Frustration
from the blocking of motive satisfaction. It is a form of Fight – It is manifested by fighting the problem in a
stress, which results in tension. It is a feeling that is constructive and direct way by means of breaking down
experienced when something interferes with our the obstacles preventing the person reaching his goals.
hopes, wishes, plans and expectations (Coleman, e.g A student struggling in math seeks help from a tutor
1980). E.g A student fails an important exam and practices regularly until they improve.
after studying hard, leading to feelings of
disappointment and stress. Flight – It can be manifested by sulking, retreating,
becoming indifferent and giving up
Frustration Tolerance
It is the ability to withstand frustration e.g A person who constantly gets criticized at work
without developing inadequate modes of response such decides to quit instead of trying to improve their
as being emotionally depressed or irritated, becoming performance
neurotic or becoming aggressive.
e.g. A job applicant gets rejected multiple times but
keeps applying with optimism.
SOURCES OF FRUSTRATIONS
ARE:
3. PERSONAL SHORTCOMINGS –
disease, blindness, paralysis. An aspiring
SOURCES OF FRUSTRATIONS ARE: athlete cannot compete
1.PHYSICAL OBSTACLES – typhoons, flat professionally due to a chronic
illness.
tires, traffic congestions etc.
4. CONFLICTS BETWEEN MOTIVES –
e.g. A driver is late for an important example; wanting to leave college for a
meeting due to heavy traffic and year to try painting but also wants to please
road construction. one’s parents by remaining in school.
2. SOCIAL CIRCUMSTANCES – restrictions e.g A person is offered a high-
imposed by other people and customs and laws paying job abroad but hesitates
of social being. because they do not want to leave
their family.
e.g. A teenager wants to stay out
late but is not allowed due to their
parents' strict rules.
SOURCES OF FRUSTRATIONS
ARE:
Coping Mechanism
It is defined as the way people react to frustration. People differ in the
way they react to frustration. This could be attributed to individual
differences and the way people prepared for the developmental task they
faced during the early stages of their life.
Different Types of Reaction to Frustration
Direct approach – It can be seen among people who handle their problems in a very objective way. They identify
first the problem, look for the most practical and handy way to solve it and proceed with the constructive manner
of utilizing the solution which will produce the best results. e.g A student struggling with a subject studies harder,
asks for help, and takes extra lessons to improve.
Detour - When an individual realizes that in finding for the right solution of the problem, he always end up with
a negative outcome or result. Thus, he tries to make a detour or change direction first and find out if the
solution or remedy is there. E.g. A person wanting to start a business lacks funds, so they work a temporary job first
to save money.
Substitution - Most of time resulted to in handling frustration when an original plan intended to solve the problem
did not produce the intended result. Thus, the most practical way to face the problem is to look for most possible
or alternative means. E.g. Imagine a student preparing for an important math exam. They originally planned to
study by reading the textbook, but they find it too difficult to understand. Instead of giving up, they switch to
watching online video tutorials, which explain the concepts more clearly.
Different Types of Reaction to Frustration
Withdrawal or retreat -It is corresponding to running away from the problem or flight
which to some is the safest way. E.g A musician who keeps getting rejected in auditions
decides to stop pursuing music and find another career.
e.g. A worker who is frustrated with their boss starts lashing out at coworkers and
showing hostility toward customers.
Use of Defense Mechanism
It is the most tolerated way of handling frustration. It is a man’s last result when
a person attempts to overcome fear from an anticipated situation or event.
Defense Mechanism – It is an unconscious psychological process that serves as safety valve
that provides relief from emotional conflict and anxiety.
Defense Mechanism
Displacement – A strong emotion, such as anger is displaced onto another person or object as
the recipient of said emotion (anger) rather than being focused on the person or object which
originally was the cause of said emotion.
e.g A man who is angry at his boss for scolding him at work goes home and yells at his
wife for no reason.
Use of Defense Mechanism
Rationalization – It is the defense mechanism that enables individuals to justify their behavior to
themselves and others by making excuses or formulating fictitious, socially approved arguments to
convince themselves and others that their behavior is logical and acceptable. E.g A student who fails a
test blames the teacher for being unfair instead of admitting they did not study enough.
Compensation – It is the psychological defense mechanism through which people attempt to overcome
the anxiety associated with feelings of inferiority and inadequacy in one is of personality or body image
by concentrating on another area where they can excel. E.g. A person who struggles with social
skills focuses on excelling in academics to boost their self-esteem.
Use of Defense Mechanism
Projection – It manifests feelings and ideas that are unacceptable to the ego
or the superego and are projected onto others so that they seem to have
these feelings or ideas which free the individual from the guilt and
anxiety associated with them.
Denial – When a person uses this, he refuses to recognize and deal with reality because of strong inner needs. is
simply refusing to acknowledge that an event has occurred. E.g. A smoker who has been diagnosed with lung
disease refuses to believe smoking is the cause of their illness.
Repression – It is an unconscious process whereby unacceptable urges or painful traumatic experiences are
completely prevented from entering consciousness.
E.g person who experienced childhood trauma has no recollection of the events, as their
mind has buried the painful memories.
Use of Defense Mechanism
Suppression – It is sometimes confused with that of repression. It is a conscious activity by which an individual
attempts to forget emotionally disturbing thoughts and experiences by pushing them out of his mind.
e.g. A student going through a breakup deliberately avoids thinking about it by focusing on schoolwork.
Use of Defense Mechanism
Identification - An individual seeks to overcome his own feelings of inadequacy, loneliness or inferiority by taking on
the characteristics of someone who is important to him. An example is a child who identifies with his parents who are
seen as models of intelligence, strength and competence.
e,.g A teenager starts dressing, speaking, and acting like their favorite celebrity to feel more confident and accepted.
Substitution - Through this defense mechanism, the individual seeks to overcome feelings of frustration and anxiety by
achieving alternate goals and gratifications. Eg. A basketball player who gets injured and can no longer play professionally
becomes a sports coach instead.
Fantasy – this is resulted to whenever unfulfilled ambitions and unconscious drives do not materialize. When we cannot
achieve or do something that we want, we channel the energy created by the desire into fantastic imaginings. E.g. A
person who dreams of being rich and famous but has no means to achieve it spends hours imagining themselves living in luxury.
Regression – A person reverts to a pattern of feeling, thinking or behavior which was appropriate to an earlier stage of
development. E.g An adult who is overwhelmed with stress starts acting childishly, throwing tantrums and refusing
responsibilities.
Use of Defense Mechanism
Sublimation – It is the process by which instinctual drives which consciously unacceptable are diverted
into personally and socially accepted channels. It is a positive and constructive mechanism for defending
against own unacceptable impulses and needs.
e.g A person with aggressive tendencies channels their energy into boxing or martial arts instead of getting
into fights.
OTHER DEFENSE MECHANISM
FIGHT OR FLIGHT REACTION – our bodies get ready either for a fight or a desperate flight from a certain defeat.
INTELLECTUALIZTION – refers to ‘flight into reason’ where the person avoids uncomfortable emotions by focusing on
facts and logic.
SELF-HARMING – the person physically deliberately hurts himself/herself in some way or otherwise puts themselves at
high risk of harm
SOMATIZATION – psychological problems turns into physical and subconscious mind. Examples are skin rashes, heart
problems etc.
2. SOCIAL CONFLICT
Double Avoidance Conflict – a person faces two undesirable situations in which the avoidance of one is the
exposure to the other resulting to an intense emotion.
ex. Anju doesn't want to attend lectures as she finds them boring but she also doesn't want to appear on the
attendance defaulter list.
Approach-Avoidance Conflict – a person faces situation having both a desirable and undesirable feature. It is
sometimes called “dilemma”, because some negative and some positive features must be accepted regardless
which course of action is chosen.
ex. Samir wants to take up a job as the salary is excellent but he doesn`t want a job
3. APPROACH-AVOIDANCE
Multiple Approach-Avoidance Conflict – a situation in which a choice must be
made between two or more alternatives each has both positive and negative
features. It is the most difficult to resolve because the features of each portion are
often difficult to compare.
ex. Nisha wants to become a pilot but the cost is prohibiting. She can also become a
beautician but it is a low paying, non-glamorous job.
PSYCHOPATHIC PATTERNS
Group of abnormal behaviors, which typically stemmed from immature and distorted personality
development, resulting in persistent maladaptive ways of perceiving and thinking. They are generally called
“personality or character disorders”. These groups of disorders are composed of the following:
Personality Disorders
Paranoid Personality Disorder - It is characterized by suspicious, rigidity, envy, hypersensitivity,
excessive self-importance, argumentativeness and tendency to blame others of one’s own mistakes.
Schizoid Personality Disorder - This is characterized by the inability to form social relationship and lack
of interest in doing so. The person seem to express their feelings, they lack social skills. They are the
so-called “loners”.
Borderline Personality Disorder - It is characterized by instability reflected in drastic mood shifts and behavior
problems. The person usually displays intense anger outburst with little provocation and he is impulsive,
unpredictable, and periodically unstable.
Avoidant Personality Disorder - It is characterized by hypersensitivity to rejection and apprehensive alertness to any
sign of social derogation. Person is reluctant to enter into social interaction.
Dependent Personality Disorder - It is characterized by extreme dependence on other people – there is acute
discomfort and even panic to be alone. The person lacks confidence and feels helpless.
PSYCHOPATHIC PATTERNS
Passive-Aggressive Personality Disorder - It is characterized by being hostile expressed in
indirect and non-violent ways. They are so called “stubborn”. The individual with this
personality disorder is usually found to have overindulged in many things during the early
years to the extent that the person comes anticipate that his needs will always be met and
gratified.
1. Simple Schizophrenia
A person who once had big dreams and socialized a lot now shows no interest in work, friends, or hobbies. They spend most of
their time alone, ignoring responsibilities, and seem emotionally distant.
2. Paranoid Schizophrenia
Someone believes that their neighbors are spying on them and trying to harm them, even though there is no evidence. They hear
voices telling them they are in danger and must be careful.
3. Hebephrenic Schizophrenia (Disorganized Schizophrenia)
A person suddenly starts laughing uncontrollably during a serious conversation, making strange, inappropriate jokes, and
talking in a disorganized manner that does not make sense.
4. Catatonic Schizophrenia
A person remains completely still for hours without responding, then suddenly starts moving excessively, making aggressive
gestures or shouting randomly without any clear reason.
SCHIZOPHRENIC
HALLUCINATIONS
1. TACTILE/CUTANEOUS (touch)
crawling across their skin
2. AUDITORY (sight)
see things that are not really there
3. AUDITORY (hearing)
this is the most common type. Hear voices and sounds that others cannot
hear
4. OLFACTORY (smell)
smell things (usually foul smelling things)
5. COMMAND (hearing)
when a voice commands the person to do something he/she would not
ordinarily do.
HALLUCINATION,ILLUSION AND
DELUSION
HALLUNICATION
- is a perception in the absence of external
stimuli (false perception)
ILLUSION
- is a distortion of the senses, revealing
how the human brain normally organizes and
interprets sensory stimulation (false
interpretation)
DELUSION
-false system of beliefs that persists
despite evidence to the contrary (false belief)
Paranoia
1. Persecutory Paranoia
Maria believes that her co-workers are secretly conspiring to get her fired, even though there is no evidence of this.
2. Litigious Paranoia
John constantly files lawsuits against his neighbors, believing they are working together to ruin his life while also
considering himself a legal genius.
3. Erotic Paranoia
Anna is convinced that a famous actor is secretly in love with her, despite never having met him, and she repeatedly
tries to contact him.
4. Exalted Paranoia (Grandeur Delusion)
Mark believes he is a divine prophet sent to save humanity and insists that world leaders should follow his
guidance.
Paranoia Example
5. Jealous Paranoia
Sarah constantly accuses her husband of infidelity despite having no evidence, leading her to check his phone and
follow him everywhere.
6.Somatic Delusion
Jake is convinced that he has a rare, undiagnosed disease and visits multiple doctors, refusing to believe their
reassurances that he is healthy.
7.Guilt Delusion
Maria is tormented by the belief that she caused a tragic accident years ago, even though she had no involvement in
it.
VICTIMOLOGY
VICTIMOLOGY
Criminal victims could be key actors in the criminal
Victimology (victima – “fear”) is the study
justice process, but more often they are kept at the
about victims of crime. It is a branch of criminology
discussion. The victim of crime often becomes the
that deals purely on the underlying factors of
FORGOTTEN PERSON of the criminal justice
victimization and the contributory role of the victims in
system while the criminal is the celebrity.
the commission of crimes.
Victimology, being the study of “crime
Victims are only valued for their capacity to report
targets”, showed that a person becomes a victim of
crimes and to appear in court as witnesses.
crime consciously (knowingly) and unconsciously
(unknowingly). A person could become a victim due to
his own action or fault. He somehow contributes to
the commission of crime because of his own making.
Victimology versus
Criminology
Is generally credited as the initiator of the word VICTIMOLOGY as well as the concept of PENAL COUPLE.
PENAL COUPLE – is a term that describes the relationship between the victim and the criminal.
He also coined the term VICTIMAL to describe the victim counterpart of criminal and the word
VICTIMITY which signified the opposite of criminality.
Another class of victim is the LOSER or one who is initially the attacker but later, the situation is
reversed. An example could be the case of a bully who ends up injured or a swindler becomes swindled.
Is generally credited as the initiator of the word VICTIMOLOGY as well as the concept of PENAL COUPLE.
PENAL COUPLE – is a term that describes the relationship between the victim and the criminal.
He also coined the term VICTIMAL to describe the victim counterpart of criminal and the word
VICTIMITY which signified the opposite of criminality.
Another class of victim is the LOSER or one who is initially the attacker but later, the situation is
reversed. An example could be the case of a bully who ends up injured or a swindler becomes swindled.
Depressive type
A victim who lacks ordinary prudence, and discretion. It is an easy target, careless, and
unsuspecting. They are submissive by virtue of emotional condition.
Greedy of gain or Acquisitive type
A victim who lacks all normal inhibitions and well-founded suspicions. The victim is easily
duped because his or her motivation for easy gain lowers his or her natural tendency to be
suspicious
Wanton or Overly Sensual type
A victim where female faults play a role. The victim is particularly vulnerable to stresses
that occur at a given period of time in the life cycle, such as juvenile victims. Further, this victim is
ruled by passion and thoughtless seeking pleasure.
Tormentor type
The victim of an attack form the target of his or her abuse, such as with battered
women. The most primitive way of solving a personal conflict is to annihilate physically the cause of
VON HENTIG