Psychology of Behaviour: Perspectives, Theories, and Application in Public Service

This report explores the psychology of behaviour, focusing on different perspectives and theories. It discusses classical and operant conditioning and their influence on behaviour, theories of criminal behaviour and causal factors, and the application of psychological perspectives in public services. The report highlights the relevance of these theories in understanding and addressing criminal behaviour and emphasizes the importance of applying psychological perspectives in public service to reduce criminal behaviour.

Unit 27: Psychology
of Behaviour

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................3
Psychological perspectives and how they influence behaviour.......................................................3
Theories of Criminal Behaviour and Causal Factors ......................................................................6
Application of psychological perspectives in Public Service..........................................................8
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................10
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................12

·INTRODUCTION
Psychology of behaviour is concerned with study that works on identifying and
developing connection between minds and behaviour of individuals. Researchers in psychology
of behaviour work on identifying why individuals behave in the way they behave and also
discover patterns of actions and behaviour (Brown and et.al., 2017). This report is aimed at
assessing efficiency of considering psychological approaches in justice system. This report will
discuss different psychological perspectives and how they influence behaviour of individuals.
Classical conditioning and Operant conditioning are two theories that will be discussed in this to
analyse their influence on behaviour of individual. Further, relevance of these theories and their
knowledge on public service and social influence on behaviour will also be discussed in this
report. Report will later discuss theories of criminal behaviour and causal factors. Criminal
behaviour can be defined as behaviour of individuals that motivate them to commit crime, and
they do not feel bounded by laws and rules. In this context Biological, Psychological and
Sociological theory will be discussed. Causal factors are those factors and elements that causes
criminal behaviour in individual. Biological theories considers that biological characteristics and
criminal behaviour are linked and certain biological characteristics suggest increased possibility
of individual committing crime. Psychological theory considers relationship between
psychological conditions of individuals and link them with their criminal behaviour.
Sociological theory focuses on social circumstances leading individual to commit crime. These
theories have been discussed in detail in report. Followed by this report will also discuss
application of psychological perspectives in public services.
·MAIN BODY
·Psychological perspectives and how they influence behaviour
Classical Conditioning
Classical conditioning theory of human behaviour states that classical conditioning takes
place when individuals specific stimuli with different outcomes. This leads individuals to a
manner of conditioning that motivates individuals to behave in ways that give them joy and
pleasure. As per this theory classical conditioning not always occur from actions and
manipulation of specific individuals (Eelen, 2018). This conditioning also happens because of
society and environment in which individual get regularly exposed. Classical conditioning

theory is a in which unconditioned stimulus becomes associated with conditioned stimulus which
leads to conditioned behavioural response of individuals. Conditioned response is concerned
with response that individuals learn through classical conditioning. In this conditioned stimulus
and unconditioned stimulus is used to generate conditioned response or behaviour in individual
and when individual become conditioned after that conditioned stimulus alone can generate
conditioned behaviour or response in individuals.
Operant Conditioning
Operant conditioning is another theory that explains human behaviour which is result of
positive or negative reinforcement. This means that when individuals find themselves in trouble
because of law or certain regulations, this leads them to break laws and regulations. On the basis
of this, individuals learn to associate breaking laws with legal issues and certain type of legal
punishment (Rehman and et.al., 2020). Similarly, individual getting indulged into something
which leads to positive results is likely to associate that situation with positive reinforcement.
This means that student studying regularly when gets good grades this leads to conditioning that
regular studies will lead them to good grades.
Similarities and differences between these theories in explaining human behaviour
Classical conditioning and operant conditioning have a very important similarity that
both these theories outline that behaviour of individuals is learned through different factors. This
means that classical conditioning focuses on learning through conditioned and unconditioned
stimuli and operant conditioning is based on learning through positive or negative reinforcement.
In addition to this, both these theories involve association of learning in highly correlated events.
Differences in Classical and Operant Conditioning
There are several elements that create differences in classical and operant conditioning
and these are-
In classical conditioning behaviour of individual is a reflex and also involuntary. This means that
behaviour of individual is generated through conditioned and unconditioned stimuli. In operant
conditioning behaviour of individual is involuntary in which individual perceive situations to be
positive and negative and on the basis of this develop behaviour (Cherry, 2019).
In classical conditioning behaviour of response of individual is based on stimulus through which
particular response or behaviour is created and on the other hand in operant conditioning
behaviour is caused because of reinforcement.

In classical conditioning certain behaviour occurs whether stimulus is pleasurable or not. In
contrast in operant conditioning pleasurable reinforcement leads to repetition of behaviour and
negative reinforcement or punishment leads to reduction of certain behaviour.
Relevance of Classical and Operant Conditioning to Public Services
Classical conditioning and operant conditioning both these theories are related to public
service and the reason behind this is that it will enable different service users to understand what
causes certain type of behaviour in individuals. In justice system, this can play vital role in
identifying and understanding cause for criminal behaviour that individual exhibits. This means
that in justice system it is important to identify stimulus that was present at the time of crime
was committed. In context of justice system correlation between trauma and violent crimes it is
also a type of classical conditioning (De Houwer, 2020). In this individuals are presented with
conditioned stimuli and unconditioned stimuli and this results in conditioned response of
individual. For example- individual is bullied which is a conditioned stimuli and this becomes a
reason for anger or resentment. Anger or resentment is unconditioned stimuli and this leads
individual to commit violent acts which is conditioned response. This is classical conditioning in
which individual when is presented with conditioned stimuli that is bullying and unconditioned
stimuli that is anger leads to conditioned response that is violent acts of individual. Further
whenever bullying happens in order to avoid bullying they will respond through violent acts.
Operant conditioning is highly relevant in public services and example of this is
relationship between breaking rules and facing legal issues. This means that when individuals
break-rules they are likely to face legal issues and in order to avoid legal issues they will follow
rules. However, if individuals manage to avoid legal issues while breaking rules they are likely
to become conditioned where they can break rules and escape legal issues. This is one of the
reason for criminal behaviour. Criminals when become conditioned that they will manage to
escape legal issues after committing crime they continue to commit crime. Another way operant
conditioning is relevant to public service and justice system is that when negative reinforcement
is not perceived negative by individuals they are likely to commit criminal offences.
Contribution of theoretical understanding to an effective implementation of trauma-
informed approach
This is a approach that considers that individuals are likely to than not to have a history
of trauma (Kealy and Lee, 2018). This means that this approach considers that individuals have a

history of trauma. Trauma informed approach in justice system is concerned with considering
the fact that individual has presence of trauma symptoms and considers that trauma has played
important role in individuals life. In addition to this, in criminals it considers that criminal
behaviour of individual is result of trauma.
Understanding and knowledge of theories can help in understanding what has caused criminal
behaviour in individual or in young people. Understanding of these will help in implementation
of trauma-informed approach because understanding of these theories will enables factors and
stimulus and its impact on behaviour of individual. This is because trauma is result of some
experiences that are not positive or favourable for individual and causes trauma which
subsequently lead young people to commit violent crimes. Understanding of these theories in
justice system will contribute in better decision-making regarding actions that requires to be
undertaken in response to criminal acts of young people.
·Theories of Criminal Behaviour and Causal Factors
Biological criminal Behaviour Theory
This theory of criminal behaviour outlines that there is linkage in biological conditions
that increases tendency of individual to engage in criminal activities. In this theory that certain
skull and facial features suggests higher probability of engaging individual in criminal activities
(Ling, Umbach and Raine, 2019). As per biological criminal behaviour theory it was identified
that individuals those who are muscular, athletic persons are more likely to engage in criminal
activities. In addition to this it was also identified that Twins are likely to have similar
tendencies that both individuals in twins are likely to commit crime. In addition to this identical
twins are more likely to get indulge in criminal activities because they are more similar on
genetics basis.
Psychological Theory
This theory considers that personality of individual have strong link with their criminal
activities. Psychological theories of criminal activities consider that there is a process through
which criminal behaviour and restrain on these behaviours can be learned. Process of learning
criminal organizations and restraining these behaviours is result of biological disposition and
social experiences. In psychological theory Sigmund Freud argued that human nature has a great
reservoir of instinctual drives that require gratification (Marshall, 2018). These drives that
humans have are restrained through moral and ethical codes that children learn. Adults develop a

rationale part of their personality that mediates drives between superego and instinctual drives
also known as id. In these 'id' is a constant driver and criminal organization of individual is result
of failure of superego which is possible because of its inadequate development. In psychological
theory of criminal organization it is also argued that criminal organization of individual is also a
result of certain types of mental illness. However mental condition causes only small part of
criminal activities. Behavioural theory have also of been considered in psychological theory of
criminal organization. Behavioural theory considers that criminal organization of individual is
learned through punishment and reinforcement.
Sociological Theory
These theories consider that criminal behaviour of individuals is a general response of
individuals who are completely normal. This means that criminal behaviour can be developed by
individuals who are biologically as well as psychologically normal (Akers and Jennings, 2019).
Their criminal behaviour is their response to certain types of social circumstances. In this theory
it has been considered that criminal behaviour of offender is result of their inability for realizing
their goals because of social circumstances.
There are several factors that causes criminal behaviour in individual and these are-
Adverse childhood experiences
This is one of the very important factor causing criminal behaviour in individuals. Children
those who are raised in but situations are at an increased risk for having criminal behaviour. The
criminal behaviour take place when they are Juvenile as well as when they are adults and many
of convicted criminals have experienced adverse childhood events then known criminals.
Negative social environment
Negative social environment is also a cause for criminal behaviour in individual (Schepers,
2017). This means that being in a high crime neighbourhood have significant possibility of
individual becoming a criminal. In addition to this living in poverty and having troubles making
end meets and because of the intense stress individuals are likely to become criminals for
undertaking criminal activity.
Unemployment
This is one of the important cause of criminal activity of individuals in several countries which
lead individuals to commit crime. People when do not have employment and find it difficult to
make a living in such situation they become more likely to commit crime.

Mental Illness
This is also one of the important reason that individuals commit crime and display criminal
behaviour. Mental illness is a state of mind when individual is not able to make right decision
and mental illness have significant impact on thinking and behaviour of individual. In such time
individuals are likely to commit crime in their inability to think about consequences of
committing crime.
Drugs
This is very important cause for criminal activities and with increasing consumption of drugs
criminal activities also increases. Consumption of drug is also one of the reason that causes of
criminal behaviour in individuals. People who become addicted to drugs are unable to get rid of
their addiction and in order to meet their needs for drug they are likely to commit crime.
·Application of psychological perspectives in Public Service
Application of psychological perspective by individuals and teams in public service to
reduce criminal behaviour
Psychological perspectives are philosophy that guide interpretation about behaviour of
individual. There are several psychological perspectives and application of these in public
service or justice system can make important effect on reduction of criminal behaviour (Jones,
2019). Some psychological perspectives include Psychodynamic Perspective, Behavioral
Perspective, Cognitive Perspective, Biological Perspective, Cross-Cultural Perspective,
Evolutionary Perspective and Humanistic Perspective. Every perspective of psychology guides
in different way about interpretation of human behaviour.
These perspectives when are applied in public services and justice system these will
enable understanding of why people commit crime. Such as application of trauma-informed
approach or perspective of psychology will help in interpretation of individual behaviour that is
encouraged through trauma. In such situation justice system can work on identifying major
reasons for trauma and develop measures through which reasons for trauma can be reduced. In
addition to this people who have committed crime with help of these perspectives they can be
helped to avoid repetition of criminal acts.
Application of these perspectives can be done by different individuals and teams in
public system and justice system. These individuals and teams in justice system involves police,
tribunals, courts and youth offending services. In order to apply these in public service it is

important that individuals and teams are possessed knowledge and understanding of these
perspectives and so that they can apply them in practice. Application of these practice will help
public service in helping people who have committed crime through right perspective and will
lead to reduction in repetition of criminal behaviour (Kendra Cherry, 2019). This means that
when trauma-informed approach is adopted individuals and teams in public service can help
individual in reducing traumatic symptoms and this will lead to reduction of criminal behaviour.
Application of behavioural perspective in public service will enable public service people to help
people who have committed criminal act. Behavioural perspectives involves that behaviours are
learned by individuals and in such situation they can undertake practices unlearning their
criminal behaviour.
It is very important that different perspectives are understood by individuals and teams in
public system because there are different psychological perspectives that help individuals and
teams understand and develop problems and required solutions. This means that there are certain
criminals whose behaviour are encouraged through their experiences and this is considered in
psychodynamic approach whereas some criminal behaviours are encouraged by learned
behaviour and this is involved in behaviour perspective of psychology.
Understanding of these approaches will lead individuals and teams to develop suitable
solutions, and they will be able to work on reducing criminal behaviour of individuals (Freilich
and Newman, 2017). Actions can be taken towards reducing social situations and towards
different types of abuse causing causing trauma and this will result in reduction of repetition of
criminal acts.
Measures taken by Ministry of Justice to address the need to adopt trauma-informed
approach across its agencies
Ministry of Justice have taken measures to address need to adopt trauma-informed
approach in its agencies. One of the agency is Youth Justice Board where effective practices for
trauma-informed practices have been adopted (In-brief: Trauma-informed youth
justice. 2017). In this agencies trauma-informed approach have been provided special attention
in which practitioners are trained for understanding attachment and development issues from
trauma. In addition to this, regardless of training Youth Justice Practitioners have not been
substituted for mental health services. In addition to this specialised guidelines have been
developed for effectiveness of trauma-informed approach in Youth Justice Board.

Application of trauma-informed practices have also caused reduction in reoffending rates. As a
result there have been 19% reduction in number of children who received a caution or sentence.
In addition to this, knife and offensive weapon offences have also reduced to 1% after year-on-
year increase in previous four years (Youth Justice Statistics 2018/19, 2020).
Use of restorative justice is concerned with practice in which those harmed by crime or conflict
and those responsible for harm are bring into communication. In this everyone affected by a
particular incident play a part in repairing the harm and find a new positive way forward ( What
is restorative justice?, 2016).
Impact of trauma-informed approach on restorative justice is that percentage of victim offered
this approach decreased in 2018-19. In addition to this percentage of victims who accepted this
offer have increased. However, in this practice trauma-informed practices have not made any
significant impact (Victims statistics, 2014-15 to 2018-19: victims’ services, restorative justice
and information, advice and support, 2020).
Agencies where trauma-informed practices have been implemented includes Youth Justice
Board and in addition to this trauma-informed practices have also been implemented into family
courts and in order to increase impact of trauma-informed approach into practice training are
also being provided to staff and workforce in different government agencies.
·CONCLUSION
On the basis of above discussion it can be concluded that in terms of psychological
perspective behavioural learning theories are very important. It is very important to consider
these theories while predicting behaviour in individuals. Classical and Operant theories of
behaviour were discussed in report that are part of behavioural psychological perspectives. Both
these theories are similar because both theories consider that behaviour of individuals is learned
however factors and causes making one learn behaviour are different. Concerned with their
relevance with justice system or services, knowledge of these can make important contribution
in predicting behaviour of people who have committed crime. In addition to effective prediction
these theories and their knowledge can also contribute in effectively implementing trauma-
informed approach in public service. Later report discussed about theories of criminal behaviour
that involved theories based on biological characteristics of individuals who commit crime,
another theory was based on mental characteristics of individuals who commit crime and lastly
sociological theory was discussed that focuses on social circumstances causing criminal

behaviour. Among these theories psychological and sociological theories are more relevant to
real world crime. In addition to this causes of criminal behaviour were also discussed and there
are several causes for criminal behaviour however among these poverty and economic conditions
are main reason causing someone to commit crime. Lastly report discussed how psychological
perspectives can be applied in public services and measures taken by Ministry of Justice to
address need to adopt trauma-informed practices. Regarding this it can be said that measures
have been taken however there is significant scope for improvement and application of trauma-
informed practices.

·REFERENCES
Books and Journal
Akers, R.L. and Jennings, W.G., 2019. The social learning theory of crime and deviance.
In Handbook on crime and deviance (pp. 113-129). Springer, Cham.
Brown, S and et.al., 2017. Psychology of Criminal Behaviour: A Canadian Perspective 2nd
edition. Development and Psychopathology. 17. pp.67-84.
Cherry, K., 2019. What is operant conditioning and how does it work. How reinforcement and
punishment modify behavior. Verywell Mind.
De Houwer, J., 2020. Revisiting classical conditioning as a model for anxiety disorders: A
conceptual analysis and brief review. Behaviour research and therapy. 127. p.103558.
Eelen, P., 2018. Classical conditioning: classical yet modern. Psychologica Belgica, 58(1),
p.196.
Freilich, J.D. and Newman, G.R., 2017. Situational crime prevention. In Oxford research
encyclopedia of criminology and criminal justice.
Jones, D.W., 2019. Understanding Criminal Behaviour: Psychosocial Perspectives on
Criminality and Violence. Routledge.
Kealy, D. and Lee, E., 2018. Childhood trauma among adult clients in Canadian community
mental health services: toward a trauma-informed approach. International Journal of
Mental Health. 47(4). pp.284-297.
Ling, S., Umbach, R. and Raine, A., 2019. Biological explanations of criminal
behavior. Psychology, Crime & Law. 25(6). pp.626-640.
Marshall, W.L., 2018. A brief history of psychological theory, research, and treatment with
adult male sex offenders. Current Psychiatry Reports. 20(8). pp.1-8.
Rehman, I and et.al., 2020. Classical conditioning. StatPearls [Internet].
Schepers, D., 2017. Causes of the causes of juvenile delinquency: Social disadvantages in the
context of Situational Action Theory. European journal of criminology. 14(2). pp.143-
159.
Online
In-brief: Trauma-informed youth
justice. 2017. [Online]. Available Through:
<https://yjresourcehub.uk/wider-research/item/download/588_5e9a4cdcfa738eb6db35fb
aaac85d872.html>.
Victims statistics, 2014-15 to 2018-19: victims’ services, restorative justice and information,
advice and support. 2020. [Online]. Available Through: <https://s3-eu-west-
2.amazonaws.com/victcomm2-prod-storage-119w3o4kq2z48/uploads/2020/06/2020-06-
05_OVC-Victims-Statistics-part-2-1.pdf>.
Kendra Cherry. 2019. Perspectives in Modern Psychology. [Online]. Available Through:
<https://www.verywellmind.com/perspectives-in-modern-psychology-2795595>.
What is restorative justice? 2016. [Online]. Available Through:
<https://restorativejustice.org.uk/what-restorative-justice>.
Youth Justice Statistics 2018/19. 2020. [Online]. Available Through:
<https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/
attachment_data/file/862078/youth-justice-statistics-bulletin-march-2019.pdf>.