Gary Leon Ridgway is a serial killer. This is a report on him. The title is: Critically evaluate how the different schools of psychology would explain Gary Leon Ridgway’s criminal behaviour.
Select an intervention/treatment from one of the schools of thought and discuss how this intervention could be effective in treating Gary Leon Ridgway.”
This is a report, so the use of headings is appropriate.
· Critically Evaluate: This suggests that the report should involve not just description but also analysis, comparison, and critical assessment of various psychological perspectives.
· Different Schools of Psychology: This refers to various psychological theories and approaches, such as psychoanalytic, behavioural, cognitive, humanistic, and biological perspectives.
· Gary Leon Ridgway’s Criminal Behaviour: Focus specifically on Ridgway, also known as the Green River Killer, who was convicted of murdering 49 women in the 1980s and 1990s.
· Recommend a treatment/intervention option: Discuss a treatment option from one of the schools of psychology mentioned above that could be effective in treating Ridgway. Highlight the treatment plan, explain the school of thought it emanates from, explain how it would be effective and why.
POTENTIAL STRUCTURE:
Introduction (word count – 300):
o Briefly introduce Gary Leon Ridgway and summarize his criminal activities.
o Outline the different schools of psychology to be discussed.
o State the aim of the report, which is to critically evaluate how these schools would explain Ridgway’s behaviour and the treatment plan you will propose.
Schools of thought (word count – 1100)
Psychoanalytic Perspective:
o Explain the basic tenets of psychoanalytic theory (Freud’s id, ego, superego, unconscious motives, etc.).
o Discuss how Ridgway’s behaviour might be interpreted through this lens, focusing on unconscious drives, early childhood experiences, and potential unresolved conflicts.
o Critically evaluate the strengths and limitations of this perspective in explaining Ridgway’s actions.
Behavioural Perspective:
o Outline the principles of behaviourism (learning through conditioning, reinforcement, and punishment).
o Analyse how Ridgway’s behaviour could be understood in terms of learned behaviours, environmental influences, and reinforcement histories.
o Evaluate the explanatory power and limitations of the behavioural approach.
Cognitive Perspective:
o Describe the key concepts of cognitive psychology (thought processes, beliefs, and problem-solving).
o Consider how Ridgway’s criminal actions could be viewed because of cognitive distortions, dysfunctional beliefs, and decision-making processes.
o Critique the cognitive approach in the context of understanding serial killers like Ridgway.
Humanistic Perspective:
o Explain the core ideas of humanistic psychology (self-actualization, personal growth, and free will).
o Discuss the challenges of applying the humanistic perspective to Ridgway’s behaviour, given its focus on positive potential.
o Evaluate whether any humanistic concepts (e.g., unmet needs) might offer insight into his actions.
Biological Perspective:
o Outline the principles of the biological approach (genetics, brain structure, neurochemistry).
o Examine potential biological explanations for Ridgway’s behaviour, such as genetic predispositions, brain abnormalities, or neurochemical imbalances.
o Critically assess the strengths and limitations of biological explanations for criminal behaviour.
Treatment/intervention plan (word count – 600):
o Introduce the treatment plan.
o Explain why this plan could effectively ‘rehabilitate’ Ridgway.
o Explain the limitations of the treatment plan.
Conclusion (word count – 500):
o Summarise the key points made in the report.
o Compare and contrast the different psychological perspectives.
o Discuss the potential for integrating multiple approaches to provide a more comprehensive understanding of Ridgway’s behaviour.
This is a report and MUST NOT be written in the first person.
Additional Instructions:
This assessment should be fully referenced and formatted in APA 7th format.