Crime psych homicide 2 Flashcards
(115 cards)
1
Q
A
2
Q
What distinguishes serial murder from mass murder and spree murder?
A
Serial murder involves a cooling-off period while mass murder occurs in one place at one time
3
Q
What factors contribute to the high rates of serial murder in the U.S.?
A
The U.S. has the highest number of serial murderers worldwide with significant peaks in the 1970s
4
Q
What historical event significantly impacted homicide rates in the U.S.?
A
The American Civil War disrupted social structures and trust in government contributing to a rise in homicide rates.
5
Q
What is the role of social cohesion in reducing homicide rates?
A
A sense of national unity and kinship can reduce violence by fostering connections among citizens.
6
Q
What is meant by ‘distancing from the offense’ in offender justifications?
A
Distancing from the offense refers to offenders’ tendency to create a psychological separation between themselves and their violent actions.
7
Q
What are some misconceptions about the causes of high homicide rates in the U.S.?
A
Common misconceptions include the belief that immigration, poverty, frontier mentality, and race are primary drivers of U.S. homicide rates.
8
Q
What percentage of offenders claim to have justifications for their actions?
A
Almost all offenders provide some form of justification for their actions.
9
Q
What types of murders saw a significant increase in the mid-19th century U.S.?
A
Murders over trivial disputes, such as insults and bar tabs, as well as robbery and rape-related murders, saw significant increases.
10
Q
What role does domestic homicide play in U.S. homicide statistics?
A
Domestic homicides in the U.S. are comparable to those in Europe and Canada but unrelated adult homicides are significantly higher.
11
Q
How do most offenders perceive their actions?
A
Most offenders do not see themselves as evil and often provide justifications for their actions.
12
Q
What are common justifications given by offenders for their violent actions?
A
Common justifications include claims of intoxication, denial of intent, and viewing themselves as victims.
13
Q
What common methods are used in serial murders?
A
The most common methods of serial murder in the U.S. include shooting and strangulation each accounting for approximately 36% of cases.
14
Q
What is the definition of serial murder?
A
Serial murder is defined as the unlawful killing of three or more people in separate events with a cooling-off period in between.
15
Q
What is the significance of the cooling-off period in serial murder?
A
The cooling-off period allows the killer time to psychologically reset between murders distinguishing serial murder from other types of homicide.
16
Q
What insights does Randolph Roth provide about American homicide rates?
A
Randolph Roth suggests that trust in government and social cohesion are significant factors influencing homicide rates in the U.S.
17
Q
What is the myth of pure evil?
A
The myth of pure evil, as proposed by criminologist Roy Baumeister, suggests that individuals who commit heinous acts do so out of enjoyment and are fully aware of their evil nature.
18
Q
What role does alcohol play in homicide incidents?
A
Alcohol is often a factor in homicide incidents as it can impair judgment and increase aggressive behavior.
19
Q
What is the ‘weapons effect’?
A
The weapons effect refers to the theory that the mere presence of a weapon can increase aggressive behavior.
20
Q
How do justifications for sexual abuse by priests reflect the myth of pure evil?
A
Justifications provided by priests for sexual abuse illustrate the denial of evil as they rationalize their actions through distorted beliefs.
21
Q
What were some justifications provided by serial murderers?
A
Serial murderers often rationalize their actions by claiming their victims enjoyed the acts or by distancing themselves from the offense.
22
Q
What does the data suggest about the backgrounds of serial killers?
A
Approximately 73% of serial killers have experienced some form of abuse and many have been arrested or spent time in jail.
23
Q
How did the concept of gangs evolve in the late 19th century U.S.?
A
The late 19th century marked the emergence of gangs in America characterized by the use of tattoos and nicknames among gang members.
24
Q
What is the prevalence of serial murders among all homicides in the U.S.?
A
Serial murders account for less than 1% of all homicides in the U.S.
25
What is the relationship between socioeconomic status and homicide rates?
Homicide rates are higher across all socioeconomic classes in the U.S. compared to similar countries challenging the notion that poverty is the sole driver.
26
How does the U.S. compare to other rich democracies in terms of homicide rates?
The U.S. has significantly higher homicide rates than other rich democracies despite having similar political and economic systems.
27
What is the significance of the decline in serial murder rates since the 1990s?
The decline in serial murder rates suggests changes in societal factors and law enforcement practices that may have impacted violent crime.
28
What is the relationship between trust in government and homicide rates?
Higher trust in government correlates with lower homicide rates as individuals are less likely to resort to violence when they believe grievances will be addressed.
29
How does the presence of firearms correlate with violence in the U.S.?
The U.S. has a high correlation between gun ownership and homicide rates with a significantly higher number of gun homicides compared to other developed nations.
30
How do societal views on violence influence homicide rates?
Societal views on violence, shaped by cultural beliefs and media portrayals, can influence individuals' perceptions and actions regarding violence.
31
What is the impact of psychological evaluations on understanding offenders?
Psychological evaluations reveal that offenders often exhibit defended narratives and justifications for their crimes.
32
What is the impact of the American Civil War on social structures?
The Civil War led to a breakdown of social cohesion and trust in government contributing to higher homicide rates.
33
What role does patriotism play in homicide rates?
A strong sense of patriotism and kinship can reduce the likelihood of violence and promote social cohesion.
34
What is a unique characteristic of U.S. homicide rates across demographics?
All ethnicities, socioeconomic classes, and genders in the U.S. exhibit higher homicide rates than their counterparts in comparable countries.
35
What common misconceptions about immigration relate to U.S. homicide rates?
The belief that immigration leads to higher homicide rates is unfounded as immigrants generally have lower homicide rates than native-born citizens.
36
What factors contribute to the high rates of serial murder in the U.S.?
The U.S. has the highest number of serial murderers with a significant portion having backgrounds of abuse and criminal history.
37
What distinguishes homicide rates in the U.S. from other rich democracies?
The U.S. has significantly higher homicide rates compared to other rich democracies like Canada and European nations.
38
What are common themes in the justifications given by serial murderers?
Serial murderers often provide justifications that distance themselves from their actions portraying themselves as victims or misunderstood.
39
How do societal views on violence influence homicide rates?
Societal acceptance of violence can contribute to higher homicide rates as norms around conflict resolution and aggression vary.
40
What role does trust in government play in influencing homicide rates?
Higher trust in government to resolve disputes correlates with lower homicide rates.
41
What are some justifications offenders provide for their violent actions?
Offenders often rationalize their actions by denying pure evil and creating distance from their offenses.
42
What is the relationship between homicide rates and societal trust?
Higher societal trust correlates with lower homicide rates suggesting that social cohesion is vital for reducing violence.
43
How do domestic homicide rates in the U.S. compare to those in Europe and Canada?
Domestic homicide rates in the U.S. are comparable to those in Europe and Canada but unrelated adult homicides are much higher in the U.S.
44
How do justifications provided by offenders reflect their perception of evil?
Offenders often reject the notion of being purely evil instead framing their actions within a context that absolves them of moral responsibility.
45
What types of homicide increased significantly in the U.S. during the mid-19th century?
Robbery murders and murders linked to rape saw significant increases during this period.
46
What is the relationship between socioeconomic status and homicide rates in the U.S.?
Homicide rates are higher across all socioeconomic classes in the U.S. compared to similar classes in other rich democracies.
47
What is the importance of understanding historical context in analyzing homicide rates?
Historical events, such as the Civil War, have lasting impacts on social dynamics and can help explain fluctuations in homicide rates.
48
What is the significance of regional differences in U.S. homicide rates?
Homicide rates are highest in the South and lowest in the North indicating regional cultural and social influences.
49
What is the 'weapons effect' in relation to aggression?
The presence of a weapon can trigger aggressive behavior and increase the likelihood of violence.
50
What was the trend of serial murder in the U.S. from the 1970s to 2010s?
Serial murder rates peaked in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, but have since declined significantly.
51
What historical patterns are observed in the rise of homicide rates in the U.S.?
Homicide rates in the U.S. began to diverge significantly from those in comparable countries around the mid-19th century.
52
What types of trivial disputes led to increased homicides in the 19th century?
Homicides increased over trivial matters such as insults, bar tabs, and minor debts during the late 19th century.
53
What historical event caused a spike in U.S. homicide rates in the mid-19th century?
The Civil War and its aftermath disrupted social structures leading to a significant increase in homicide rates.
54
What is the significance of the cooling-off period in serial murder?
The cooling-off period distinguishes serial murder from mass and spree murder allowing the killer time to psychologically recover.
55
What misconceptions exist regarding poverty's role in U.S. homicide rates?
as all socioeconomic classes in the The notion that poverty is the primary driver of homicide is misleading U.S. have higher rates than their counterparts in other countries.
56
What was a key change in the nature of homicide during the mid-19th century?
The mid-19th century saw an increase in gruesome murders including those involving mutilation and extreme violence.
57
How do U.S. gun ownership rates compare with homicide rates?
The U.S. has significantly higher gun ownership rates which correlate with elevated homicide rates compared to other developed nations.
58
What does Randolph Roth's research suggest about trust in government and homicide?
Roth found that trust in government is a key predictor of homicide ratesm indicating that less trust correlates with more homicides.
59
How do domestic homicide rates in the U.S. compare to those in Europe and Canada?
Domestic homicide rates in the U.S. are comparable to Europe and Canada but unrelated adult homicides are significantly higher.
60
What is the 'weapons effect' in relation to aggression?
The mere presence of a weapon can increase aggressive behavior and the likelihood of violence.
61
What types of justifications do offenders use when confronted about their actions?
Offenders often deny pure evil, claiming they acted out of necessity or under compulsion, distancing themselves from the offense.
62
What is the relationship between poverty and homicide rates according to the lecture?
Poverty does not account for higher homicide rates as all socioeconomic classes in the U.S. are more homicidal than their counterparts in other countries.
63
What was the role of gangs in the late 19th century U.S. homicide rates?
The emergence of gangs marked a new trend in violent crime contributing to the rise in homicides.
64
How did perceptions of social hierarchy influence homicide rates?
Feeling disrespected or believing one's social status is unfair increases the likelihood of aggressive behavior.
65
What historical shift occurred in homicide rates in the U.S. around the late 19th century?
Before the late 19th century, whites had higher homicide rates than blacks, but this trend reversed after this period.
66
What is the significance of the cooling-off period in serial murder?
The cooling-off period distinguishes serial murders from other forms of murder allowing for psychological separation between killings.
67
What significant historical event does Randolph Roth link to the rise in homicide rates in the Deep South?
The American Civil War significantly disrupted social structures and trust in government leading to increased homicide rates.
68
What types of trivial disputes led to increased homicides in the mid-19th century U.S.?
Homicides increased over disputes related to insults, bar tabs, card games, and property disagreements.
69
What was the trend of serial murder in the U.S. from the 1970s to the 2010s?
Serial murder peaked in the U.S. in the 1970s, 80s, and 90s, but has since declined significantly.
70
What does the data suggest about the backgrounds of serial killers?
A significant majority of serial killers have experienced some form of abuse and many have spent time in jail.
71
How did the concept of 'trust in government' evolve in relation to homicide rates?
Trust in government has been shown to impact individuals' likelihood to resort to violence in disputes.
72
How does trust in government relate to homicide rates?
Higher trust in government correlates with lower homicide rates as people are less likely to take disputes into their own hands.
73
What correlation exists between gun ownership and homicide rates in the U.S.?
The U.S. has a high correlation between gun ownership rates and elevated homicide rates.
74
What factors contribute to the perception of legitimate social matters in relation to homicide?
Feeling that one's social standing is fair and earned decreases the likelihood of violent behavior.
75
What is the relationship between mental illness rates and homicide rates in Roth's research?
Roth's research found no significant correlation between mental illness rates and homicide rates.
76
What is the best predictor of homicide rates according to Randolph Roth's research?
The percentage of new counties named after national heroes is the best predictor of homicide rates.
77
What is the impact of societal views on violence in relation to homicide rates?
Societal acceptance or normalization of violence can contribute to higher homicide rates.
78
What trends were observed in the types of homicides during the mid-19th century?
There was a rise in murders over trivial disputes, robbery, and racially motivated killings.
79
What is the significance of understanding offender justifications in criminology?
Examining how offenders rationalize their actions provides insight into the psychological mechanisms behind violent behavior.
80
What role does patriotism play in homicide rates?
A sense of national unity and kinship reduces the likelihood of violence and homicide.
81
What misconceptions about race and homicide rates does the lecture address?
The lecture argues that all races in the U.S. are more homicidal than in comparable countries disputing the notion that black Americans solely drive homicide rates.
82
What insights does Randolph Roth provide about the relationship between patriotism and homicide rates?
Roth suggests that a cohesive national identity and patriotism can reduce homicide rates by fostering trust and unity.
83
How does the U.S. compare to other rich democracies in terms of homicide rates?
The U.S. has significantly higher homicide rates compared to other rich democracies like Canada and European countries.
84
What is the significance of the social fabric being torn apart in the Deep South?
It contributed to the breakdown of trust in government and an increase in homicide rates post-Civil War.
85
What common explanations for high U.S. homicide rates have been debunked?
Common misconceptions include the impact of immigration, poverty, and frontier mentality, all of which do not correlate with higher homicide rates.
86
What percentage of serial murderers reported experiencing some form of abuse as children?
73% of serial murderers reported having experienced some form of abuse during childhood.
87
What are some justifications offenders provide for their violent actions?
Offenders often rationalize their actions by distancing themselves from the offense and claiming circumstances forced their hand.
88
What is the relationship between gun presence and aggression?
The mere presence of a weapon increases aggressive behavior in individuals.
89
What role does the 'cooling-off period' play in defining serial murder?
The cooling-off period allows the killer psychological respite between murders differentiating serial murder from mass and spree murders.
90
What trends were observed in the methods of murder during the mid-19th century?
Murders during this period often involved gruesome methods including mutilation and dismemberment.
91
What is a key factor in the over-representation of serial murderers in the U.S.?
The combination of gun accessibility and societal factors contributes to the over-representation of serial murderers in the U.S.
92
How does historical context impact the analysis of homicide rates?
Understanding the historical events, such as the Civil War, is crucial for explaining spikes and trends in homicide rates.
93
What historical trends have been observed regarding serial murder rates in the U.S.?
Serial murder peaked in the U.S. during the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, and has since declined significantly.
94
What types of trivial disputes led to increased homicides in the mid-19th century U.S.? Increased homicides were often related to disputes over insults
Increased homicides were often related to disputes over insults, bar tabs, card games, and property disputes.
95
What role do justifications play in the understanding of serial killers?
Justifications provide insights into the mindset of serial killers revealing their rationalizations for committing heinous acts.
96
What distinguishes serial murder from spree murder?
Serial murder involves a cooling-off period between killings while spree murder occurs without such a pause during an escape.
97
What insights does Randolph Roth provide about the relationship between patriotism and homicide rates?
Roth suggests that a sense of national unity and patriotism correlates with lower homicide rates.
98
How does the U.S. compare to other countries in terms of serial murderers?
The U.S. has less than 5% of the world's population but accounts for nearly 68% of the world's serial killers.
99
What common misconceptions exist regarding the causes of high homicide rates in the U.S.?
Common misconceptions include the belief that immigration, poverty, and race are primary drivers of homicide rates, which have been disproven.
100
What are the common methods used in serial murders?
The most common methods include shooting (36%), strangling (36%), and poisoning, particularly among female serial killers.
101
What is the relationship between trust in government and homicide rates?
Higher trust in government correlates with lower homicide rates as individuals are less likely to resort to violence when they believe disputes will be resolved fairly.
102
What are the implications of the 'weapons effect' on societal violence?
The 'weapons effect' suggests that the mere presence of weapons can incite aggressive behaviors in individuals.
103
How do justifications provided by offenders reflect their perception of evil?
Offenders typically do not view themselves as purely evil; they often provide rationalizations that distance themselves from their actions.
104
What is the significance of regional differences in U.S. homicide rates?
Homicide rates are highest in the South and lowest in the North indicating regional cultural and social factors.
105
What historical context is important for understanding the rise in homicide rates in the U.S.?
The historical context includes significant events like the Civil War and social changes that disrupted community structures.
106
What percentage of serial murderers in the U.S. are men?
Approximately 87% of serial murderers in the U.S. are men.
107
What factors influence homicide rates in the U.S. according to Randolph Roth?
Trust in government, social cohesion, and perceptions of legitimate social matters significantly influence homicide rates.
108
How do societal perceptions of legitimate social matters affect homicide rates?
When individuals feel that their social standing is fair and earned they are less likely to engage in violent behavior.
109
What is the definition of serial murder?
Serial murder is defined as the unlawful killing of three or more people in separate events with a cooling-off period in between.
110
What is the impact of the American Civil War on homicide rates?
The Civil War disrupted social structures leading to increased homicide rates that have not fully receded.
111
What is the significance of unsolved homicides in relation to serial murder?
Many unsolved homicides may be linked to serial murders indicating that actual numbers of serial killers may be higher than reported.
112
What is the role of societal views on violence in influencing homicide rates?
Societal norms and values regarding violence can either promote or deter aggressive behaviors and homicide rates.
113
What is the significance of the decline in serial murder rates since the 1990s?
The decline indicates a shift in societal factors and potentially the effectiveness of law enforcement and criminal justice responses.
114
What is the correlation between gun ownership and homicide rates in the U.S.?
Higher rates of gun ownership in the U.S. correlate with significantly higher homicide rates compared to other developed countries.
115
What is the impact of psychological evaluations on understanding offenders?
Psychological evaluations can reveal underlying issues and justifications that offenders use to rationalize their violent actions.
