Chapter Two Flashcards
the scientific study of crime and the causes of criminal behavior
Criminology
the relationship between two measurements or behaviors that tend to move in the same direction
Correlation
the relationship in which a change in one measurement or behavior creates a recognizable change in another measurement or behavior
Causation
An explanation of a happening or circumstance that is based on observation, experimentation and reasoning
Theory
A possible explanation for an observed occurrence that can be tested by further investigations
Hypothesis
A school of criminology that holds that wrongdoers act as if they weigh the possible benefits of criminal or delinquent activity against the expected costs of being apprehended
Rational Choice Theory
the science of living organisms, including their structure, function, growth and origin
Biology
the scientific study of mental processes and behavior
Psychology
a chemical substance, produced in tissue and conveyed in the bloodstream, that controls certain cellular and body functions such as growth and reproduction
Hormone
the hormone primarily responsible for the production of sperm and the development of male secondary sex characteristics such as the growth of facial and pubic hair and the change of voice pitch
Testosterone
a chemical that transmits nerve impulses between nerve cells and from nerve cells to the brain
neurotransmitter
the study of the development and functioning of groups of people who live together within a society
sociology
the theory that deviant behavior is more likely in communities where social institutions such as the family, schools, and the criminal justice system fail to exert control over the population
social disorganization theory
the assumption that crime is the result of frustration felt by individuals who cannot reach their financial and personal goals through legitimate means
strain theory
a condition in which the individual feels a disconnect from society due to the breakdown on absence of social norms
anomie
a school of criminology that views criminal behavior as the result of class conflict
social conflict theories
a school of criminology that considers criminal behavior to be the predictable result of a person’s interaction with his or her environment
social process theories
the hypothesis that delinquents and criminals must be taught both the practical and the emotional skills necessary to participate in illegal activity
learning theory
a series of theories that assume that all individuals have the potential for criminal behavior, but are restrained by the damage that such actions would do to their relationships with family, friends and members of the community
control theory
the study of crime based on the belief that behavioral patterns developed in childhood can predict delinquent and criminal behavior later in life
life course criminology
any substance that modifies biological psychological, or social behavior; in particular, an illegal substance with those properties
drug
a chemical that affects the brain, causing changes in emotions, perceptions and behavior
psychoactive drug
the use of drugs that results in physical or psychological problems for the user, as well as disruption of personal relationships and employment
drug abuse
an approach to drug addiction that treats drug abuse as a mental illness, and focuses on treating and rehabilitating offenders rather than punishing them
medical model of addiction
an approach to drug abuse that holds that drug offenders harm society by their actions to the same extent as other criminals and should face the same punitive sanctions
criminal model of addiction
An annual report compiled by the FBI to give an indication of criminal activity in the U.S.
uniform crime report
crimes reported annually by the FBI in its UCR, part one offenses include murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny and motor vehicle theft
Part One Offenses
all crimes recorded by the FBI that do not fall into the category of Part One offenses. These crimes include both misdemeanors and felonies
part two offenses
a method of gathering crime data that directly surveys participants to determine their experiences as victims of crime
Victim Surveys
a term used to describe the actual amount of crime that takes place. The “figure” is “dark” or impossible to detect, because a great number of crimes are never reported to the police
Dark Figure of Crime
a method of gathering crime data that relies on participants to reveal and detail their own criminal or delinquent behavior
a method of gathering crime data that relies on participants to reveal and detail their own criminal or delinquent behavior self-reported surveys
Any person who suffers physical, emotional, or financial harm as the result of a criminal act
crime victim
the theory that certain people and places are more likely to be subject to repeated criminal activity and that past victimization is a strong indicator of future victimization
repeat victimization
