Crime And Law

Question 1

Explain the Marxist theory

Answer 1

Argues that our capitalist system creates an unequal society split between the rich and the poor

Question 2

Provide evidence that there is a link between poverty and crime

Answer 2

13% of the population have never had a job compared to 4% of the general population
Glasgow has the highest rate of poverty and the highest crime rates per 100,000
The prison reform trust found 38% of women prisoners committed their crime to support their children

Question 3

Explain Merton’s strain theory

Answer 3

He believes when people are unable to achieve the cultural goal of a society I.e not being able to afford the newest phone, w abuse they don’t have enough education or don’t earn enough it puts strain on an individual. To relieve this strain individuals cause crime

Question 4

What percent of rioters were on free school meals compared to the general population during 2011 London riots

Answer 4

42% compared to 16% of the general population

Question 5

Explain why poverty DOES NOT cause crime

Answer 5

Many people experience strain of poverty but does not commit crime. People cleared up after London riots rather than looting

Lack of money can’t explain why crimes such as rape and murder where there is no financial benefit

Many people who earn good salaries commit crime E.g Sean Adams bank fraud

Question 6

Why is there more poor people in prison ?

Give a statistic

Answer 6

They are criminalised and targeted more by police and sentencing.
Children in deprived areas were 2x more likely to face police action than better off children who commit the same crime

Question 7

Explain the biological cause of crime - psychopaths

Answer 7

There are biological differences in the brains of psychopaths compared to the general population. This makes them manipulative and less like to feel guilt which can make them commit crimes. For example Aaron Campbell, murdered Ailsha MacPhail showed no remorse or empathy and doctors have warned that he will not be safe to be released from prison.

Question 8

Explain the MAOA gene

Answer 8

The “warrior gene” is linked to antisocial behaviour including impulsive aggression. This means people with this gene are at greater risk of violent behaviour leading to crimes such as murder and assault.
E- study in Finland found that people with the genes were 13 x more likely to have a history of repeated violent behaviour

Question 9

Biological cause of crime - Male Testosterone

Answer 9

Activates the subcortical areas of the brain to produce aggression. This can increase their risk-taking behaviour making men more likely to get involved in violent assaults. Testosterone levels are higher in prisoners who have committed violent crimes. 90% of prisoners in Scotland are male

Question 10

Explain the individualist theory

Answer 10

Everybody has a free choice whether to commit a crime or not. Hobbes belief is that human nature explains crime; we are all essentially selfish and will break the law of given the chance. Strict punishments are the best way to reduce crime as people won’t risk it i.e knife crime reduced in Scotland following zero tolerance on carrying and higher prison sentences.

Question 11

Explain the flaw of the individualist theory

Answer 11

During the London riots there were many people who had the opportunity to commit crime and loot but they didn’t, in fact they assisted cleaning up. This shows that the individualist theory is flawed, even when given the opportunity to commit crime, some peoples moral code prevent them

Question 12

How does the way you are brought up influence your criminal behaviour

Answer 12

As peoples moral codes are generally made up by the way they’ve been brought up and nurtured it reinforces the importance of the environment someone lives in, E.g a 2012 study by Cambridge University found that teenagers who avoided crime did not because they feared the consequences or laced the chance, but because they saw it was wrong

Question 13

Causes of crime - Alcohol

How many alcohol related violent crimes took place in Scotland in 2017

Answer 13

Over 100,000

Question 14

How many prisoners reported being drunk during their offence. How much does this rise by in young offenders

Answer 14

41%… 60%

Question 15

How does alcohol and drugs influence peoples crimes

Answer 15

Those who are addicted to drugs or alcohol they may be forced to commit crime, such as mugging or burglary to get money in order to pay for their next ‘hit’. Again the SCJS supports the link between substance abuse and crime as 3/4 of male prisoners in Scotland have an alcohol use disorder

Question 16

Lack of Education -

What % of male prisoners were excluded from school compared to the general population

Answer 16

49%…. 2%

Question 17

How many times more likely is a pupil who is excluded at 12 to end up in prison

Answer 17

4 times more likely

Question 18

Evidence against why lack of education isn’t an important cause of crime

Answer 18

A sainsburys IT manager stole millions of Nectar points after finding a loophole in the system was jailed for 20 months

After the London riots in 2011 some of those who were caught and prosecuted had professional qualifications some in teaching

13% of people in prison have never had a job, only 4% of the population have never worked

Question 19

Social causes - ACE

The most common ACE’S

Answer 19

Abuse - physical, verbal, sexual
Neglect - Physical and Emotional
Household adversities - mental illness, incarcerated relative, domestic violence, parental separation and substance abuse

Question 20

What did a survey of prisoners in as report related to ACE’s

Answer 20

Reported high rates of childhood abuse, family violence and school exclusion. Studies show that children who experience 4 or more ACE’s are 20x more likely to end up in prison

Question 21

Why does living in these Conditions effect children

Answer 21

The stress of living in these conditions disrupts healthy brain development and these children develop behavioural and emotional problems

Question 22

What is the impact of this in adulthood ?

Answer 22

They are more likely to behave in risk taking, lack of self control and game left in criminal behaviour

Question 23

Impact or crime on wider communities - Social
Explain why a bad reputation can impact a local community
X3 stats

Answer 23

From the actions of a very small group of offenders a local area can gain a bad reputation if there is too much violent crime.
For example - some parts of Glasgow have a reputation for violent gang crime e.g Easterhouse or Dalmarock in Glasgow
Glasgow has the reputation for being the UK’s most violent and criminal city according to the UK Peace Index.
Glasgow has 2.7 murders per 100,000 people compared to London with 1.67 per 100,000

Question 24

Economy - what are the effects of the economy

Answer 24

If people don’t want to live in a certain area then house prices will drop, insurance around the area becomes more expensive as there is more chance of damage to be done.
New businesses may avoid the area due to higher insurance premiums for being in a high crime area. Existing businesses may close down due to the ongoing repetition of crimes such as burglary, vandalism and due to a result of poverty people who live there have less money to spend.

Question 25

How high of a percent does poorer areas face of being victims of crime

Answer 25

21% chance of being a victim of property and violent crime rather than 16% for rest of Scotland.
BCS highlights that the highest volume of cornea is committed in marginalised neighbourhoods with the poorest people as victims

Question 26

What is the advantage of a major crime on a community

Answer 26

The community could come together and create a determination among people that the community will get over it and grow stronger. A good example of this is a midnight anti-rape protests which took place in Glasgow 2014 and 2017 in order to support the victims and to show solidarity against criminals

Question 27

Explain the broken window theory

Answer 27

If low levels of crime such as vandalism and graffiti are left to go unchecked it results in a belief that other crimes can also take place in that area