AC4.1 Use of criminological theories in informing policy development

Question 1

What implications do biological theories have?

Answer 1

If correct, offenders are biologically ‘different’ in some way
Raises question of diminished responsibility. - is it fair to hold them responsible for behaviour that they had no control over?
Goes against public policy, has to be some punishment

Question 2

Are there any case where the XYY gene has been a successfully defence?

Answer 2

No legal cases in the UK
BUT 5 major US cases attempted (not successful)
State v Roberts (1976)
Judge said: ‘presently available medical evidence = unable to establish a reasonably certain casual connection between the XYY defect + criminal conduct’

Question 3

What did the judge say in the US case of State v Roberts (1976)?

Answer 3

‘Presently available medical evidence = unable to establish a causal connection between the XYY defect + criminal conduct’
Nature v Nurture??

Question 4

What are 4 problems could arise from the XYY defence being set as precedent?

Answer 4

1. Lead to increase in violent crimes? D have excuse
2. D not getting punished - problem with retribution
3. Labelling form a younger age
4. The contribution of child abuse, parent blaming

Question 5

What have learning theories led to?

Answer 5

Increased censorship + age restrictions for films, TV shows + video games
IOT avoid young children/ teenagers observing + possibly imitating violent + criminal behaviour

Question 6

Who has a statutory requirement to classify videos etc.?

Answer 6

British Board of Film Classification

Under Video Recoding Act 2010

Question 7

What is the U rating?

Answer 7

Universal

Suitable for audience aged 4+

Question 8

What is the PG rating?

Answer 8

Parental Guidance

Shouldn’t be unsettling for age 8+

Question 9

What is the 12a rating?

Answer 9

Not suitable for anyone under the age of 12

Unless accompanied with an adult

Question 10

What is the 12 rating?

Answer 10

Suitable for age 12+

Question 11

What is the 15 rating?

Answer 11

Suitable for age 15+

Anyone under age 15 can’t rent/ watch/ buy etc.

Question 12

What is the 18 rating?

Answer 12

Suitable for adults

Question 13

What is the R18 rating?

Answer 13

Adults for licensed premises only
Restricted 18
porn

Question 14

What is an example of a film that has been banned in the UK as a result of the BBFC?

Answer 14

Human Centipede 2
Originally banned due to highly explicit sexual violence
Eventually given 18 classification after 32 cuts made (2 mins 37 sec)

Question 15

What are the arguments that could be made against the censorship of media?

Answer 15

1. Don’t just watch + copy (4 mediating factors)
2. May decrease it (prohibition in USA)
3. Watching violence could act as a release
4. Serves no purpose if have MAOA/ XYY biology

Question 16

2 policies that have been applied as a result of sociological theories

Answer 16

1. Broken window theory

2. Zero-tolerance policy

Question 17

What is the broken window theory?

Answer 17

Suggests low-level disorder must be tackled quickly (mending broken window)
Or problems would quickly escalate
Could attract more serious offenders
Making residence more worried about crime

Question 18

What is the zero-tolerance policy?

Answer 18

Policing strategy
Involves relentless order maintenance + aggressive law enforcement, even against minor crimes
Dealing with minor crimes in the same way will drive out hardened criminals + deter others
Easier to prevent societies side into crime than to rescue it

Question 19

Give an example of where the zero-tolerance policy has successfully been used

Answer 19

New York, late 1980s + early 1990s
Was one of the most crime ridden cities in the world
1994 police Commissioner William Bratton introduced zero-tolerance policy
7000 extra officers = employed
Paid particular attention to graffiti + minor street crimes
3 years crime rate dropped by 37% + homicide rate by over 50%

Question 20

What do Marxists say about the zero-tolerance policy?

Answer 20

rc/mc create the laws (beneficial to then)
Focuses on street crimes (wc) not white collar (mc)
Minor crimes may = committed IOT survive (more exploitation)
Aggression could build up, transfer of violence (domestic abuse, behind closed doors)