*causes of crime

Question 1

One biological cause of crime is gender

Answer 1

This means/because males are more likely to commit crimes rather than females because they have more testosterone which can be linked to violent behaviour.

For example, a BBC study showed that 73% of crime is committed by men.

Question 2

another biological cause of crime is mental illness

Answer 2

This means/because mental illness is often connected to increased levels of violence and a person’s likelihood of displaying delinquent behaviour.

This is especially if the person isn’t taking their medication or has been using drugs or alcohol

Question 3

one social cause of crime is poor role models

Answer 3

This means/because if a person is brought up in an area with high levels of unemployment and crime then there may not be any good role models for them to look up to.

For example, if the most successful people in your local area are drug dealers, then you may be lead into thinking a life of crime is more desirable.

Question 4

another social cause of crime is peer pressure

Answer 4

This means/because sometimes young people can be pressured into committing crimes by those around them.

This could lead to them getting involved in drug crime and the violent crime often associated with this.

Question 5

one economic cause of crime is unemployment

Answer 5

This means/because if people aren’t working then their income will be low and benefits may not be enough to get the things they desire.

This could lead to people shoplifting such as a parent stealing food or nappies for their baby

Question 6

another economic cause of crime is greed

Answer 6

This means that/is because people want to get the things they desire but can’t afford to buy them through legitimate means.

It may lead people to committing tax evasion, fraud or setting up bogus companies to steal from customers.