Crime And Criminalology Flashcards
What theory describes Classical Criminology and Rational Choice Theory
Free will and choice theories
What theory states that the decision to commit crime is due to rational choice
Free will and choice theories
What is dictated by ratio of punishment vs. reward
Rational choice
Under free will and choice theory “senseless” crimes can still be explained by…
Reward of the “rush”
Under free will and choice theories what can deter crime
Fear of punishment
_______ and _________ of punishment is important to control crime
Swiftness and certainty
What theory is positivism in
Biological theory
Who and when was positivism created
Cesar’s lombroso in 19th century
What is positivism
Criminology is determined at birth
What is the aggressive gene
MAOA gene
Genetic mutation of MAOA gene correlates with
aggressive behavior and criminality
Testosterone leads to more
Crime and violent crime
What theory explains Criminals are either reinforced to commit crimes or not punished enough for doing so
Non-criminals are either reinforced for good behavior or punished enough to prevent criminal behavior
Behavioral theories
In social learning theory humans learn through…
Observation
A person is more likely to become a criminals when…
There is more criminals or fewer law abiding citizens in the area
In Social Disorganization Theory
People in impoverished communities care more about
Getting out than fixing what is already there
Describe the cycle explained in the social disorganization theory
Breakdown of communities, education, etc.
Peer groups and gangs become primary influence
Rise in crime because of gang influence
Gang/crime participation gets passed down to siblings and next gen.
As they get older, those with values “move on” and those without values stay, further perpetuating the problem
Everyone wants financial freedom; however…
some are unable to attain it, leading to strain or anomie.
Who came up with the strain theory
Robert Merton
In the strain theory this strain leads many to pursue
a life of crime in order to achieve wealth
Laws reflect the values of those in power, while disregarding those who are not in power
Conflict theories
What is an example of conflict theory
Rich vs. poor
White vs. non white
What are the seven theories of crime and criminology
Free Will and Choice Theories Biological Theories Behavioral Theories Social Learning Theory Social Disorganization Theory Strain Theory Conflict Theories
Which of the following statements would you not believe if you believe that rational choice theory explains crime
Crime rates would go down if he worked to decrease poverty and income inequality
crime rates would go down if prisons became more pleasant and rehabilitative
crime rates would go down if prisons became more pleasant and rehabilitative
Mertons contribution to strain theory includes the term
Anomie
Social learning theorists would argue that ____________ is the most important component of her retributive sentencing goals
General deterrence
