Scenario

1. Scenario Shari has a history of choosing abusive partners and was a victim of verbal abuse from her own father when she was a child. I’m being abused by my ex-partner who’s living with me most of the time. My son has been excluded from school for bullying younger children.

2. Assessment skill Write short report (one side of A4) applying one psychological theory of the origins of crime to the scenario. Make a reasonable suggestion as to how the behaviour of the family might be addressed using any one psychological theory. Do not copy and paste from any website or textbook. Refer to the sources that you used.

3. Success criteria The possible causes of the crime • Explain what may lie at the root of the criminal behaviour that is being studied. • Refer to writers and researchers or books you have looked at •  Refer to the scenario that you have been presented with. Policy implications and strategies for tackling the problem •  Make a list of sensible suggestions based on your views of the possible causes of the crime. Conclusion •  Come to a sensible clear conclusion that summarises the points that went before in a simple paragraph

4. Framework for report • Which psychological theory are you choosing. • How would a psychologist from that approach explain familial domestic violence? • What solutions to that family’s problems would the psychologist suggest? • What social support could be offered? (More social workers, more therapy, different laws?) • How would the psychologist justify those investments in social support?

5. Writing style points • Points are explained in as few words as possible. • Bullet points and side headings are used. • The style of language is official and professional.