Access Diploma in Social Sciences
Psychology (PSY001)
Coursework Assignment Brief
Case Study
Peter is seventeen and in with a bad crowd. They terrify everyone in the neighbourhood. His parents don’t seem to be able to do anything with him. His father drinks a lot and neighbours think he abuses his wife and children. The boys knock passers-by off the pavement, break windows, steal garden decorations, shop lift and are generally violent and aggressive. They paint racist slogans everywhere and beat up some of the young ‘fellas’.
They also round up the youngsters and encourage them to help with pestering the local shop keepers, by breaking their goods or stealing their sweets and cigarettes off the counters. The local community leaders are asking the police to intervene and bring these ‘hooligans’ under control.
Write an essay of 2,000 words which:
• Uses some psychological theories of aggression to explain possible reasons for his behaviour, set in the context of a nature – nurture debate.
• Describes research studies and findings to support these theories.
• Evaluates these theories in terms of their strengths and weaknesses.
You may refer to a variety of resources, including books, journals, video documentary and e-resources.
All sources should be cited accurately in text and reference list, following the accepted Harvard format.
• Take part in a small group discussion regarding this debate.
This assignment will meet the following learning outcomes: K1-7; I1-7; P1-7 and
T1-7.
