chapter 7 Flashcards
Parsimonious
if two theories explain the same thing effectively.
To be good a theory must be…
logical, parsimonious, and have a valid structure
occam’s razor
preference of the simplest option
Are social control theory and social learning theory considered a good or bad theory?
a good theory!
positivist school
a school of thought that attributed criminal behavior to biological or psychological factors
Chicago school
the first school of sociology in the U.S. - contributed to social disorganization theory, cultural transmission theory, differential association theory, subcultural theory, the sociology of deviance, and symbolic interactionism.
Hard sciences
chemistry, physics, and biology
what do theories reflect
what has gone on in the past and what is happening during the proposal
psychopathy
a personality disorder characterized by a lack of empathy, egocentrism, manipulation of others, and a tendency towards anti-social and criminal behavior.
classical school of criminology
emerged in Europe in the 17th and 18th centuries; argues that people have to capacity to think rationally
rational choice theory
a modern version of classical schooling thinking originating from economics; assumes that humans are rational and have free will and that it is the offender’s choice to commit the crime
differential association theory
Sutherland’s theory that criminal behavior is learned through social interaction; includes learning crimina. skills, motivations, attitudes, and rationalizations.
Medical model
-Lombroso
-Criminals were sick and in need of treatment
Chicago area project
focusing on reorganizing socially disorganized slums through community organizations.
-social disorganization theory; shaw and McKay 1940s
who created the routine activity theory
Cohen and Felson
