Criminology Flashcards
what are some theories and studies that are associated in this theme
1)Learning theories as an explanation for criminology
2)Genetic explanation of criminality
3)the criminal personality
4)Bandura Ross and Ross 1961
5)Charlton et al (2000)
what does operant conditioning mean in criminology
A certain behaviour is likely to be repeated if reinforced and likely to not be repeated if punished
Positive VS Negative reinforcement with examples
Positive- RECEIVING something good from a particular behaviour. Obeying to get a treat
Negative- RECEIVING something good after avoiding something unpleasant. Getting up from bed to avoid the noisy alarm
Positive punishments VS Negative punishments
Positive- Getting something UNPLEASANT so we don’t do it again. A spanking
Negative- REMOVING something pleasant so we dont repeat it. No Tv the whole week
examples of primary and secondary reinforcers
primary- food, a home, clothes, pleasure
secondary- credit card, grades, money
what are some strengths for operant conditioning
-theory can explain a wide range of crimes
-led to development of behaviour managements
what does social learning suggest about criminality
That we observe and learn from one another rather than reinforcing or punishing
What takes place in the identification and modelling process
*Hint ARRMI
Attention
Retention
Reproduction
Motivation
Identification
What is a vicarious reinforcement
motivation to model the behaviours of a person who gets a reward for that certain behaviour
what are some examples of daily rewards
-acceptance from people
-food
-candy
-comfort
-compliments
-grades
evaluate the social learning theory of criminality
Strengths
-Bandura et al has great research support for this theory. Shows we are more likely to model the same sex
-This theory explains why children learn very fast rather that reinforcements
-explains why people get connected to crime so quick
Weaknesses
-this can just explain the short term effects
-some criminal behaviours cannot be explained from observation. e.g murders
what is some evidence that criminals can run in the family (Genes)
-Karl Christiansen found that if one MZ twin was a criminal there was a 52.5% the other twin was a criminal. However if one DZ twin was a criminal, there was a 22% chance that the other would also be a criminal.
what is personality
A set of characteristics/ traits that make up an individuals character
The Personality theory was. proposed by___________________ in 1964
Hans Eysenck
Examples of personality traits
-extravert/ introvert
-psychoticism
-neuroticism
Stable VS Unstable neuroticism
Stable- Having the ability to not over react in stressful situations
Unstable- over reacting and over emotional in stressful situations
what was the research method used to measure personalities in this theory
Questionnaires
The Eysenck personality questionnaire
people with high PEN results show high chances of ______________
Criminality
what does this tell us about people with High PEN scores
have a biological nervous system that is more difficult to socialise with. These personalities are quick to react, sensation-seeking and lack empathy for others
evaluate the personality theory
Strengths
-It is Holistic and takes personalities into consideration
-research evidence supports the idea of high PEN scores being related to criminals
Weaknesses
-Assumes that personalities are fixed and stable. However personalities can change based on the event we are in
-results from questionnaire aren’t all truthful. (desirable answers)
what is Recidivism
when an offender is punished for their crime but commits another crime
why are punishments effective for convicts
*hint operational conditioning
They are effective as they apply the principles of operant conditioning which demonstrates positive punishments stopping certain behaviours
why are punishments effective for convicts
They are effective as they apply the principles of otperant conditioning which demonstrates positive punishments stopping certain behaviours
how effective are prisons as a deterrent for reoffenders
*strengths & weaknesses
-can remove criminals from the public
keeping the public safe
-however young offenders are likely to reoffend again
-Prison can act as a positive reinforcement due to the friendship and livelihood given by cellmates
-more crimes may take place in prison
what is community service
Instead of the offender going to jail, they perform duties that give back to the community.
Examples of community services
-cleaning the street
-painting community buildings
is community sentencing effective in reducing Recidivism?
with recidivism having a rate of 30%, community sentencing isn’t seen as an effective form of punishments.
what is restorative Justice
This is when the convict and the victim of that crime meet and communicate with each other
Give one weakness of restorative justice
-could cause distress for both the offender and the victim. Emotional distress.
How do Token Economy programmes run
This is also based on the principles of operant conditioning. Prisoners are given tokens for prosocial behaviour as a reward, these are secondary reinforcers. Once they have collected a certain amount, they are allowed different privileges
what are the 3 stages taken in anger management programmes
1)Cognitive preparation -reflects on their own anger
2)Skill acquisition- offender is given skills to control their behaviour
3)Application practice- tests their new skills with different situations
how effective is anger management in reducing recidivism
mention Mixed results
-one study showed high risk offenders that went through with the program were less likely to reoffend
-However another study showed that this was due to educational benefits.
what were the aims of Bandura, Ross and Ross 1961
-investigate whether children would imitate aggression played by an adult
-to see whether gender influences the likelihood of imitating aggression
What were the names of the 3 rooms in Bandura and what did they perform
ROOM 1- modelling room
-the child was brought in individually
-an adult (either woman or man) would act aggressively towards a bobo doll
ROOM 2- the anger arousal room
-all 72 children are here
-several toys are present
-children are quickly told to leave the toys for the “good kids”
ROOM 3- The observation room
-two observers (double blind technique)
-was to see whether they would apply what they saw from the previous model in room 1
What two conditions were present in Bandura
Aggressive and Non aggressive models
What was the IV and DV of the study
IV-the models (female or male)
DV-levels of aggression made by the child with either verbal or physical aggression
what did they conclude
-children could learn aggression from the same gender
-children could learn aggression from a model stranger
-verbal aggression is performed mainly by girls than boys
-physical aggression is performed mainly by boys
what are some weaknesses to the study
-demand characteristics
-Did not look at the long term effects of these procedures. Could affect them psychologically. (unethical)
what was the main aim of Charlton et al. (2000)
Investigated the effects of television on children behaviour
where did this study take place
On the Island of St. Helna
what was the IV and DV
IV- introduction to Television
DV- levels of aggression
what sample method was used in this study and from what ages
-Opportunity sampling. They were present and available
-3-8 years old.
this study lasted __________ years
Five
what do the results show and what can we conclude
results:
-there was no antisocial behaviour being observed
-prosocial behaviour was shown twice as much as antisocial behaviour
conclusion:
TV introduction had very/ to no little effect on children behaviour
may be due to the environmental and community influence. Culture influence.
