criminological theories informing policy development Flashcards
what is the death penalty
a state authorised execution of a convicted criminal through various different methods e.g. electric chair, hanging, lethal injection etc
how does the deathpenalty link to biological theories
criminals are biologically abnormal and genetically predisposed to crime so using the death penalty for punishment perminently prevents criminals to re-offend. it also helps remove the biological abnormality from the gene pool and is less likely to be passed down to the next generation which should reduce crime
arguments for the death penalty
-100% success raste
-its a deterrent to stop others for commiting crime
-stops criminal genes from being passed on
arguments against the death penalty
-murder rate is 25% higher in states taht have the death penalty
-doesnt act as a deterrent as most violent crimes are spur of the moment and most offenders arent thinking rationally
what is chemical castration
an injection or pill mainly given to sex offenders that lowers testosterone levels in men and women to get rid of sexual desires and libido
how does chemical castration link to biological theories
criminals are biologically abnormal- irregualr hormone levels. and it tries to cure the abnormality so when the treatment is done it should reduce crime
argument for chemical castration
- trialled in many countries and re-offending rates dropped from 40% to 5%
-reduces motivation and sexual desire to commit sex crimes - criminal can be in public rather than instituted
arguments against chemical castration
- only small number of offenders will benefit
- only lasts between 3-5 years
-isnt affective after discontinuation
-random negative side affects
what are eugenics
where the government get to choose who does and who doesnt have children, selective parenthood. so they gradually remove people with disorders and disabilities etc to give future generations strong genes
how does eugenics link to biological theories
criminals are biologically abormal so removing the gene from the gene pool should reduce crime because criminals wont be able to pass the crimnal gene down as the wont be selected to have children
arguments for eugenics
-osborn and west- 40% of boys who had a criminal record also had fathers who had criminal records- eugenics can reduce that number
-helps vunerable individuals as it can be dangerous to have kids whilst having a disability etc
arguments against eugenics
-counterproductive- it will reduce genetic diversity which in the long term will generate more genetic abnormalities so would increase criminal behaviour
what is token economy
its a behaviour modification where we use operant conditioning (positive and negative reinforcement) to direct behaviour
how does token economy link to individualistic theories?
offender learn undesired behaviour such as criminality through models (bandura). token economies use rewards ot encourage desirable behaviour and punishment to discourage undesirable behaviour
unlearn desirable behaviour = reduction in cirme
arguments for token economy
-cost effectve(cheaper than prisons)
-increases positive behviour in prisoners
arguments against token economy
-not universally effective
-only works short term
-only effective in institutions-behviours wont carry on when prisoner gets released
what is psychoanalysis treatment
(therapy)patient talks their thoughts through to reach unconscious and respressed thoughts to try and find what lead them to criminality
how does psychoanalysis treatment link to individualistic theories
criminals have an abnormal psyche which was made through childhood trauma and bad experiences. therapy tries to bring them to the surface tot ry and find the root of the problem (frueds theory of the psyche)
arguments for psychoanalysis treatment
-bergin- found out of 10,000 patients 80% benefited from psychoanalysis treatment
-more research- longer the treatment, the more effective the treatment
arguments against psychoanalysis treatment
-time consuming and wont provide quick answers so isnt favoured when putting methods into practice
-blackburn- very positive evaluations of psychoanalysis
-may worsen patients mental health
-better methods of therapy e.g. CBT
what is anger management
its a congnitive therapy that encourages people to think rationallly about there decisions and try and identify why they are getting angry and the follow through with congitive and physiological responses to reduce there anger
how does anger management link to individualistic theories
anger management is a form of social skills training, this links to eysencks criminal personality theory as criminals find it hard to regulate their emotions so they have high levels of neuroticism. anger management uses cognitive therapy techniques to try and regain control of emotions and reduce criminality
argument for anger management
-ireland-50 prisoners uses anger management and found there was a 92% decrease in anger reactions
- its more likely to lead to perminent change as it focuses on bothe thinking and behaving
arguments against anger management
-not all crimes are based on anger
-roleplaying fake scenarios is alot different to real life dangerous situations
-short-term
-expensive and time consuming
- the prisoners must want to change for it to actually work
