Chapter 6 / Theories of Crime Flashcards
Positivist School
A school of thought that attributed criminal behaviors to biological or psychological factors; often referred to as the “Italian School.”
Chicago School
The first school of sociology in the United States; contributed to social disorganization theory, cultural transmission theory, differential association theory, sub-cultural theory, the sociology of deviance, and symbolic interactionism.
psychopathy
A personality disorder characterized by a lack of empathy and an inability to feel for others.
Classical School of criminology
A body of work that emerged in Europe in the 17th centuries that argued people have the capacity to think rationally.
rational choice theory
A modern version of Classical School thinking originating in economics; it assumes that humans are rational and have free will, and that offenders make conscious choices to commit crime, based on a cost-benefit analysis.
differential association theory
Sutherland’s theory that criminal behavior is learned through the process of social interaction, and that the process includes the learning of criminal skills, motivations, attitudes, and rationalizations.
hedonism
The view that pleasure is the primary good; the pursuit of pleasure.
utilitarianism
A philosophy that suggests reasoned decisions will produce the greatest good for the greatest number.
free will
A will whose choices are not conditioned or determined by factors external to itself; also, the doctrine that free will exists.
deterrence
A principle of something or punishment intended to discourage citizens from offending or re-offending.
positivism
The application of the scientific method to the study of society m including the study of crime and criminals.
stavism
A term associated with Cesare Lombroso and the Positivist School of thought; the notion that criminals are less evolved than “normal” humans.
determinism
The doctrine that one’s will is not the sole cause of choices, but that those choices are conditioned or determined by factors external to one’s will.
somatotyping
A research technique that links behavioral characteristics to body types, such as mesomorphy, ectomorphy , and endomorphy.
conflict theories
Theories originating primarily with Marx, that focus on the unequal distribution of power in society - for example, due to class, race, or gender. Conflicts between classes or groups are driven to a large extent by this unequal power and unequal access to resources.
