Deprivation Model (AQA A-Level Psychology): Revision Notes
Deprivation Model
The deprivation model offers a situational explanation for institutional aggression, particularly in prison settings. This model suggests that aggressive behaviour arises when prisoners experience the loss of key needs that they would normally have access to in the outside world. Rather than focusing on individual characteristics, this approach emphasises how the prison environment itself creates conditions that can lead to violence and aggression.
The five deprivations
Sykes (1958) identified five specific types of deprivation that prisoners experience, which he argued could collectively increase the likelihood of aggressive behaviour. These deprivations create frustration and stress that may manifest as violence.
Deprivation of liberty
Prison fundamentally restricts an individual's freedom of movement and choice about where to go and when. Sykes argued that this enforced confinement reinforces feelings of rejection from society, making offenders more likely to develop antagonistic and aggressive attitudes towards others. The psychological impact of being confined can create resentment that builds over time.
The loss of liberty goes beyond physical confinement - it represents a fundamental rejection from society that can deeply impact a prisoner's psychological state and social identity.
Deprivation of autonomy
Prisoners lose their independence and ability to make decisions about their daily lives. Every aspect of their routine is controlled by the prison system, from when to eat to when to sleep. Even basic choices that people take for granted in the outside world become impossible in prison. This loss of control creates feelings of helplessness and frustration. Additionally, privileges can be withdrawn without explanation, leaving inmates feeling angry and powerless.
Deprivation of goods and services
Access to material possessions and services becomes severely limited in prison environments. A modern example is the restriction of mobile phone access, which can cause particular anger and resentment among prisoners who were heavily dependent on their devices before incarceration. The inability to access items that were once readily available can lead to violent reactions, as seen in incidents related to illegal mobile phone use in prisons.
The deprivation of modern technology, particularly mobile phones, has become increasingly significant as these devices have become central to daily life and social connection in contemporary society.
Deprivation of heterosexual relationships
Prisoners are denied access to romantic and sexual relationships with members of the opposite sex. This deprivation affects not only physical needs but also emotional intimacy and companionship. The inability to form and maintain meaningful relationships creates frustration that, combined with other deprivations, can contribute to increased violence within the prison environment.
Deprivation of security
The prison environment often feels unsafe for many inmates, who may fear for their personal safety. This constant state of alertness and anxiety can lead to heightened awareness and defensive behaviours. When prisoners feel threatened, they may overreact to incidents, making violence more likely to occur as a means of self-protection.
Research evidence
Several studies have provided empirical support for the deprivation model's explanation of institutional aggression.
Research Finding: Lahm (2008)
Conducted research into inmate-on-inmate violence across 30 prisons, examining data from 1,054 inmates. Key findings:
- Both situational and dispositional factors contributed to prison violence
- Main predictors were age and aggression level
- Overcrowding played a role in violence levels
- Situational factors within the prison environment are important contributors to aggressive behaviour
Blomberg and Lucken (2000) found evidence supporting the role of autonomy deprivation in prison aggression. Their research showed that prisoners frequently needed to seek permission for basic activities such as eating and washing, which represent fundamental civil liberties. This constant need for permission created frustration, and the researchers concluded that the deprivation of autonomy could be a key factor in increasing aggressive behaviour among inmates.
Research Finding: Cheeseman (2003)
Discovered that aggression in prison environments often served as a coping mechanism for dealing with the stress of incarceration. This finding supports the frustration-aggression hypothesis, where violent behaviour becomes an outlet for the frustration created by the situational factors that prisoners experience.
Johnston (1991) found that prison overcrowding directly contributed to increased aggression levels. Overcrowding intensifies competition for limited resources and creates additional stress within the prison environment. This competition often leads to the formation of gangs as inmates seek group support, which can foster in-group/out-group conflict and result in group-based aggression.
Evaluation
Strengths
Maslow's hierarchy of needs provides theoretical support for the deprivation model. According to Maslow's theory, physiological and safety needs must be met before individuals can function effectively. The prison environment prevents many of these basic needs from being fulfilled due to enforced sleeping and eating schedules, limited opportunities for sexual expression, and lack of perceived safety.
This creates conditions where prisoners cannot achieve self-actualisation, potentially leading to negative behaviours as a response to unmet fundamental needs. The deprivation model aligns well with established psychological theories about human motivation and behaviour.
Weaknesses
Prison riots present a challenge to the deprivation model's explanatory power. While the model can account for gradual increases in tension and individual acts of aggression, it struggles to explain sudden, large-scale violent events.
Key limitations:
- Riots can occur even when there has been no obvious change in prison conditions
- The model cannot always identify specific situational factors that trigger these events
- Sometimes riots appear to happen without apparent reason
- This suggests the deprivation model may not provide a complete explanation for all forms of institutional aggression
A modification of Zimbardo's prison study by Haslam and Reicher (2006) revealed that prisoner behaviour was not solely determined by adopting a prisoner role. Instead, the research showed that the need to be part of a group was crucial for behaviour patterns. This suggests that group dynamics and social identity, rather than individual deprivation alone, may be more important in explaining aggressive behaviour in institutional settings.
Key Points to Remember:
- The deprivation model explains institutional aggression as a result of prisoners losing access to key needs they would have in the outside world
- Sykes identified five main deprivations: liberty, autonomy, goods and services, heterosexual relationships, and security
- Research evidence shows that situational factors like overcrowding and loss of autonomy do contribute to prison violence
- The model is supported by Maslow's hierarchy of needs but struggles to explain sudden events like prison riots
- Group dynamics and social identity may be more important factors than individual deprivation alone