class 10 Flashcards
What is the main idea of trait theories in criminology?
The belief that criminals have physical or mental traits that make them different or abnormal.
Do trait theories suggest a single cause for criminal behavior?
No, they argue that there is no single biological or psychological attribute that fully explains criminal behavior.
What human drives do trait theories focus on?
Aggression, violence, and impulsivity.
How are aggression, violence, and impulsivity linked to crime?
They are associated with anti-social behavior, which increases the likelihood of criminal activity.
What two factors contribute to criminal behavior according to trait theories?
Personal traits and environmental factors.
What are the two major divisions of trait theories?
Biological and Psychological.
What did Lombroso and early theorists believe about criminals?
They believed in “born criminals” but did not use control groups, and many traits they assumed were inherited were actually influenced by poor nutrition, toxic environments, and lack of healthcare.
What is sociobiology?
The idea that human behavior is motivated by biological urges and desires, such as survival and reproduction.
How do modern biological theories explain behavior?
They suggest that physical, environmental, and social conditions together shape behavior.
What is equipotentiality?
The belief that all individuals are born equal and later influenced by their environment.
What are instincts in biological theories?
Routine actions and behaviors that are automatically known and performed.
How do biochemical conditions influence behavior?
They can control and influence antisocial behavior through both genetic predisposition and environmental factors like diet.
What are some biochemical factors linked to criminal behavior?
Nutritional deficiencies, sugar intake, hypoglycemia, hormonal influences, PMS, allergies, and environmental contaminants.
How strong is the evidence for biochemical influences on crime?
Some research shows strong support, but other studies are less conclusive.
How is human behavior linked to genetic factors?
Traits like openness, conscientiousness, extroversion, and agreeableness have been connected to behavior.
What inherited traits have been linked to criminality?
Aggression, psychopathy, impulsivity, neuroticism, and some psychopathological conditions like schizophrenia.
What are twin and adoption studies used for in criminology?
To determine how much genetic versus environmental factors influence criminal behavior.
What is the “contagion effect” in genetics and crime?
The idea that siblings in the same environment may influence each other’s behavior, especially if one is deviant.
How might younger siblings be influenced by older siblings’ behavior?
Younger siblings may imitate the behavior of older siblings, increasing the likelihood of shared deviant behavior.
How do evolutionary theories explain criminal behavior?
Traits evolved over time to promote survival and reproduction, influencing criminal patterns and behavior.
How does jealousy relate to crime from an evolutionary perspective?
It developed to keep families intact and ensure reproductive success.
How does aggression differ between men and women in evolutionary theory?
Men benefit from being risk-takers, while women benefit from being risk-averse.
What is r/K selection theory?
A theory describing different reproductive strategies:
r-selection: Reproduce often, invest little in offspring, more deceptive
K-selection: Reproduce slowly, invest heavily in offspring, more cooperative
What is “Cheater Theory” in evolutionary criminology?
A subpopulation of men evolved with traits signaling low parental involvement, sexual aggression, and deception in reproductive strategies.
What aspects of criminal behavior do psychological trait theories focus on?
Intelligence, personality, learning, and mental processes.
What did Goring propose about intelligence and crime?
He suggested that “defective intelligence” is linked to criminal behavior.
What did Tarde believe about learning and crime?
People learn criminal behavior through imitation, which aligns with Social Learning Theory.
What is Social Learning Theory?
The idea that behavior is modeled on observed social interactions, direct observation, or media influences.
What is the Psychodynamic perspective on crime?
It suggests that unconscious personality traits formed in early childhood influence lifelong behavior.
What is a strength of the Psychodynamic approach?
It explains the early onset of crime and its occurrence across different social classes.
What is the Behavioral approach to crime?
It suggests people commit crimes by modeling behavior after others, especially through social influences.
What is a strength of the Behavioral approach?
It explains how society and media influence criminal behavior and how exposure to violence affects individuals.
What is the Cognitive perspective on crime?
It focuses on how reasoning and thought processes influence behavior.
How does the Cognitive perspective explain changes in criminal behavior?
It suggests people develop higher-level reasoning over time, which may explain why some criminals “age out” of crime.
Who developed the Psychodynamic perspective?
Sigmund Freud.
What controls personality according to Freud?
Unconscious mental processes developed in early childhood.
What did Adler propose about personality and crime?
He suggested that an “inferiority complex” (a sense of inadequacy) leads people to try to control others.
How did Erikson relate identity to crime?
He proposed that an “identity crisis” creates inner conflict over life roles, which can influence delinquent behavior.
What is “latent delinquency”?
A mental state that predisposes youth to antisocial behavior due to:
- Seeking immediate gratification (impulsivity)
- Prioritizing their own needs over social connections
- Lacking guilt or moral consideration for right vs. wrong
What is the key idea behind behavioural theories in crime?
Human actions are developed through learning experiences, and violence can be influenced by environmental factors, media, and learned aggressive behaviours.
What are the four factors that can contribute to violence and aggression?
- An event that heightens arousal (e.g., provocation, assault).
- Learning aggressive skills through observation (interpersonal or media).
- Expecting positive outcomes from aggression.
- Aligning behaviour with personal values that justify violence.
How does mental illness relate to crime?
Many offenders who commit violent crimes have mental illnesses such as anxiety, depression, or personality disorders.
What percentage of men accused of murder in a small study had a form of mental illness?
75%
What are some characteristics of individuals with mental illness who engage in crime?
Higher rates of substance abuse.
Often come from abusive backgrounds.
Overrepresented in the criminal justice system (CJS).
How might the environment contribute to crime among individuals with mental illness?
Living in deteriorated, high-crime neighborhoods may create environmental effects that contribute to criminal behavior.
How does personality relate to crime?
Traits like impulsivity, hostility, and aggression are linked to criminal behavior.
What are the key traits of a psychopath?
Low levels of guilt and anxiety.
Comfort in violating others’ rights.
How does sociopathy differ from psychopathy?
Sociopaths lack warmth and affection.
They have inappropriate responses and struggle to learn from experience.
Up to 80% of chronic offenders exhibit sociopathic traits.
What is antisocial personality disorder?
A disorder characterized by:
Lack of normal responses to situations.
Inability to learn from punishment.
Violent reactions to non-threatening events.
What are some social policy solutions for reducing crime related to mental illness?
Early prevention programs (family therapy, substance abuse clinics).
Preventative and therapeutic treatment.
Deinstitutionalizing offenders with mental illness.
Biologically oriented therapy (e.g., diet programs, allergy treatment).
