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Criminology
Review for Final
Term | Definition |
---|---|
Classical School of Theories | -humans have free will -rationality and intelligence are core human characteristics -Utilitarianism(best for the greater good->purpose) and Hedonism (pleasure above pain) |
Deterrence Theory: argues that most people do not engage in crime because we are fearful of the punishment. | Argues that you can prevent crime through punishment and fear of punishment. fear of punishment leads or does not lead to crime (constructs) measures of fear of punishment: -certainty;severity;swiftness specific deterent general deterent |
Rational Choice Theory | Opportuniy--> Crime -weigh options-pick best choice for you -Choice and opportunity -how you thing about choice connects to crime -your view of opportunity determines how you respond Costs>benefits X crime Benefits>costs=crime |
Routine Activities Theory: only theory that explains criminal behavior and victimization that we discussed this semester | presumes everyone is a motivated offender motivated offender+suitable target+lack of capable guardian=Crime(opportunity or victimization) convergence of these 3=hotspot;anyone can be an offender-motive varies;how you view opportunities leads 2 offending |
Positivistic School of Theories | -people lack free will -pre-determined paths -does not support detterenced |
Choice Theories(grouping) | -Detterence theory -Rational Choice theory -Routine Activities theory |
Trait theories (grouping) | Biolobical theory(traditional vs. modern/biosocial) |
Social Structural theories (grouping) | -Social Disorganization theory -Merton's Strain theory -General Strain theory -Institutional Strain theory |
Social Process theories (grouping) | -Social Learning theory(Differential Reinforcement Theory) -Social Control theory (Social Bonding Theory) -Labeling theory assumes our socialization determines our paths believes crime in normal micro level crime is a social attribute |
Critical theories (grouping) | -Marxism -Conflict -Feminism |
Developmental Theories or Life-Course theories (grouping) | -Self Control -Sampson and Laub Age Graded theory -Moffitt Development theory key terms:onset(start),desistence(stop), frequency(often of offending), duration(length of crim. career) age out of crime (15-25 peak) |
Integrated theories (grouping) | -Reintegrative Shaming theory |
Biological Theory-Modern/Bio Social: Argues that your genes connect to your environment and determine your connection to criminal behavior. | Traditional:phrenology,heredity/genetics,traits-atavism(biological throwback) Modern/Bio-social: predisposition and environment |
Social Disorganization Theory: assumes crime stays in a neighborhood due to the breakdown of informal and formal controls | Physical decay+Socail decay+collective efficacy (social ties/network;social capital)=crime Zone II-anime(normlessness);pockets of cultures(heterogeneity);poverty;no strong sense of informal social contols |
Merton's Strain Theory | Aspirations(goals) X expectations (real ability to meet/achieve goals)=anomie=crime adaptations to strain:conformity,ritualism,innovation,retreatism,rebellion |
General Strain Theory (explains why people commit ALL types of crimes): argues that if you can find better ways of coping with the stress in your life, crime can be reduced. | Strain( goals/ means; +negative stimuli; - positive stimuli)+emotional states (anger is major contributer)+coping abilities=crime |
Institutional Strain Theory | American Dream=crime our beliefs created by institutions (politics,famil,government,education,religion) leads to crime |
Social Learning Theory(Differential Reinforcement Theory): believes crime is normal and we learn the behavior through socialization. | Con:diff. association(primary/secondary groups)+definitions(favor/unfavorable(belief/behaviors)+diff. reinforcement(neg./pos. reinforcement/punishment)+imitation(modeling behaviors) assumes we learn from peers,family, etc argues crime starts very young |
Social Control Theory(Social Bonding Theory) | socialization(secondary/primary)+controls(formal/informal)+social bonds(attachements commitments involements beliefs) concered w/ Y people don't commit crime;believes everyone haspropensity2commit crime-has 2B something 2 stop us;family is key socializat |
Labeling Theory: Suggests the criminal justice system is to blame for recidivism--argues society creates criminals and crime through labels | formal label-criminal justice system label; informal label-societies label; label causes secondary deviance which causes crime(acceptance of label is key) |
Marxism | capitalism is the death of everything; Capitalism is the root of all--it makes us independent--creates social gaps/leads to conflicts--1% will always remain in the 1% |
Conflict | Argues that society is set up in a way that creates conflicts; those who are in power want to remain in power so the keep others from ever gaining power- lower classes are sub par |
Feminism | |
Self-Control: presumes by the age of 8 our risky behavior is set as is our propensity to engage in crime (Stability postulate- self control held constant by age 8) | Poor parenting is linked with low self control by socialization=crime;self control measures:impulsivity,riskseeking,physical activities,self-centeredness,temper,simple task oriented if you can't control yourself you're more likely to engage in crime |
Sampson and Laub Age Graded Theory(AKA life course perspective) | argues that crime is engaged in for different reasons at different ages but the family is to blame for adolescent crime; 3 T's- trajectories, transitions, turning points |
Moffitt Development Theory | life course perspective(commit crime because the can't help it, don't know how else to act/respond; and Adolescence-Limited(commit crime to rebel, learn what freedom is, our responsibilities etc |
Reintegrative Shaming Theory:argues the we need punishments that aren't going to stigmatize people and we need to reintegrate offenders back into society. Shaming should be more informal | Secondary deviance+shaming (neg/pos)+ interdependancy and communitarianism=crime |
Measures of fear of punishment (detterence theory) | certainty-how certain is someone going to be punished for a crime(10% get punished);severity-punishment is equal to the crime(proportionality) our system has problems w/ this;swiftness- how quickly is the punishment recieved. |
specific deterrent | death penalty, life in prison (deters individual-they can't commit crime in society) |
General deterence | deterence for large population (idea that people won't commit crime b/c they will be punished for it and they want to follow the social contract) |
Social Disorganization Theory (social structural theory) | argues: If you can't build community structure then you can't reduce crime tested by surveys, interviews social structures=environment, school,social class |
Informal controls (social disorganization theory) | most powerful; community subcultures(beliefs), smaller groups (parents, peers, unwritten rules); controls neighborhoods |
Formal controls(social disorganization theory) | laws, rules, regulations (fed. gov't, schools, courts, police) |
Negative Reinforcement (social learning/diff. reinforcement theory) | avoidance of punishment;beeing grounded then being allowed out because they got better grades-rewarded via the avoidance of something negative |
Negative Punishment (social learning theory) | lack of reward; taking away car privileges (removal of positive aspect/reward) |
Positive Reinforcement(social learning theory) | encourages behavior with reward;given a car when graduated college |
Positive Punishment(social learning theory) | anything that presents negative feelings or sensations-gives negative stimulus; spanking |
Attachment (social bonding theory) | people; prosocial relationships w/ others (social ties) the belief that if you like, care, love people/someone you won't commit crime;afraid to lose the people you love/care about |
Commitments (social bonding theory) | what you are attached to/committed to the more you belong to the less likely you are to commit crime |
Involvement (social bonding theory) | amount of time you provide to the things you are committed to the more time you spend to the things you are committed to the less likely you are 2 commit crime--not just about time(you'd rather spend your time w/ the things you care about- no time 4crime |
Belief (social bonding theory) | what you value; what you think is right/wrong, moral/immoral the more you believe prosocial things are good the less likely you are to commit crime |
Self Control Theory Beliefs | crime is hedonistic-based(pleasure);cime is opportunity-based;crimes are easy and need little planning;crimes can be risky and exciting; they don't need distinctions b/w petty/serious explains both crimes and analogous behaviors (relate to being risky) |