Critically Discuss the Assertion That Qualitative Research Approaches Make a Substantial Contribution to Psychological Explanations of Criminality

Critically discuss the assertion that qualitative research approaches make a substantial contribution to psychological explanations of criminality

Explanations of criminality have come a long way in recent decades due to the development of social sciences, and in particular the discipline of psychology. In an attempt to explain criminality, it is essential to understand how the criminal’s mind works, why they commit crimes, what particular gains they achieve, whether legal alternatives are available, and if so are they considered, are all questions to be taken into account.

However the route it takes in finding these answers from criminal minds, can be a difficult exercise, and there is an argument to suggest one will not find adequate answers by collecting data obtained using scales and set measures. Thus, promoting the idea of the qualitative approach, where criminal mind’s can be more freely and arguably accurately assessed, perhaps making more substantial contributions to psychological explanations of criminality.

In this piece, ethical considerations, methodological constraints and other difficulties will be discussed, with a view to explore how successful qualitative methods are.

Hobbs (2000) supported that qualitative approaches require multiple methods of research as a way of formulating a strong argument for this type of research, and this is the norm when using this approach. Techniques such as narratives and personal accounts are considered more favorable now over logical arguments and lawful formulations used to explain criminal behaviour. Life stories can be analyzed in terms of environment, motives, settings, and help develop themes in aiding these explanations. Polkinghorne (1988) helps define this by saying “Narrative is the fundamental scheme for linking individual human action and events into inter-related aspects of an understandable composite”.

However