criminology test 2 Flashcards
Biological Theory
Criminological theory that suggests that biological factors, such as genetics, hormones, or brain chemistry, predispose some people to commit crimes
Psychological Theory
Explain the connection between criminal behavior, personality, intelligence, learning, and other factors
Durkheim’s Anomie Theory
A breakdown of social order as a result of the loss of standards and values. This happens when there is drastic change, positive or negative. “Normlessness”
Merton’s Strain Theory
Suggests that society pressures people to achieve goals that are socially accepted, even if they don’t have the means to do so. This can lead to strain, which can cause people to commit crimes to achieve their goals.
Sutherland’s Differential Association Theory
Suggests that people learn criminal attitudes and behaviors through associating with criminals.
Subcultural Theories of Delinquency and Crime
Theories that attempt to explain the role of subcultures in delinquent behavior and crime
Social Control Theory
A sociological theory that explains why people act in certain ways, and how to reduce the likelihood of criminal behavior
Labeling Theory
A social science theory that explains how society’s labels for individuals and groups can impact their behavior, including criminal behavior
Environmental Theory (Routine-Activities Theory)
A theory that studies how a location’s physical and social characteristics influence criminal activity
Explain how Merton describes crime through Strain theory. Explain each mode of adaptation. Explain which mode best expresses jewelry theft.
Merton says that crime is a result of a person’s acceptance or rejection of cultural goals and the means to achieve them. The first mode of adaptation is conformity, which means that people accept the goals of society. The second mode is innovation, which means adapting to society with their own means of it due to lack of resources (robbery, burglary). The third is ritualism, which is people who “give up” on their dreams because they are not within reach, and they must resign to present lifestyles (assembly lines, middle-management jobs). The fourth is retreatism, which is people who give up on life and resort to drugs and alcohol. The final mode is rebellion, which is where both cultural goals or legitimate means are rejected. Many of these people create “militias” because they do not accept the culture or leadership. Best mode would be innovation.
Referring to any four of Edwin Sutherland’s propositions, explain the propositions and how Differential Association theory can explain the crime of motor vehicle theft.
- Criminal behavior is learned. This can be applied to motor vehicle theft because someone could learn the crime from another.
- Criminal behavior is learned with other persons in a process of communication. This can be applied to motor vehicle theft due to the fact that someone could learn how to steal a car through communication and teaching.
- The principal part of the learning of criminal behavior occurs within intimate personal groups. This can be applied to motor vehicle theft due to the fact that, most likely, you will be learning how to commit these crimes through someone you know well.
- When criminal behavior is learned, the learning includes a) techniques of committing the crime, which are sometimes very simple, sometimes very complicated, and b) the specific direction of motives, drives, rationalizations, and attitudes. This can be applied to motor vehicle theft because it requires techniques to steal a vehicle, as well as strong motives such as a need for a vehicle or vehicle parts.
Referring to Travis Hirsch’s Social Bonding theory, explain the problem of juvenile delinquency through each bond. Explain how an after school program can strengthen these bonds.
Attachment: Argued that people who have strong attachments to others are less likely to engage in delinquent behavior because they care about the opinions and well-being of these significant others. In an after school program, people make strong connections to others which leads them to be less likely to commit crimes.
Commitment: Argued that individuals who are committed to these activities are less likely to engage in delinquent behavior because they have more to lose. An after school program requires commitment, which means that juveniles will be less likely to commit crimes.
Involvement: Argues that when juveniles are involved in productive, prosocial activities, they have less time to engage in deviant behavior. In juveniles, if they are involved in an after school program they will be a part of many different things that offer distractions.
Belief: Someone’s acceptant of and commitment to the rules and norms of a society. An after school program can reinforce positive behavior and values, which makes people conform to society more.
Explain how the convergence of three elements discussed in Cohen and Felson’s Routine Activities theory explains the problem of shoplifting. Explain the three elements and explain how you can apply the three to deter shoplifting at Target.
- Motivated Offender
- Suitable Target
- Lack of Capable Guardianship
When someone shoplifts, they look for these three things. If they have a motivation, and they feel as though Target will be easy to get to, and they do not see someone guarding the store, they are likely to commit the crime. You can deter the offender by making Target less suitable, and adding more security.
Edwin Sutherland’s Nine Propositions
- Criminal behavior is learned
- Criminal behavior is learned with other persons in a process of communication
- The principal part of the learning of criminal behavior occurs within intimate personal groups
- When criminal behavior is learned, the learning includes: Techniques of committing the crime, which are sometimes very simply, sometimes very complicated, and the specific direction of motives, drives, rationalizations, and attitudes.
- The specific motives and drives are learned from definitions of the legal codes as favorable or unfavorable
- A person becomes delinquent because an excess of definitions favorable to violation of law over definitions unfavorable to the violation of the law
- Differential associations may vary in frequency, duration, priority, and intensity
- The process of learning criminal behaviors by association with criminal and anti-criminal patterns involves all of the mechanisms that are involved in any other learning
- While criminal behavior is an expression of general needs and values, it is not explained by those general needs and values, since noncriminal behavior is an expression of the same needs and values
Miller’s Lower-Class Focal Concerns
Trouble: the tendency to get involved in or create trouble, and an acceptance of it as a normal part of life
Toughness: A focus on physical strength, endurance, and a hardened exterior
Smartness: The ability to “outwit” others, often through street smarts, manipulation, or cleverness
Excitement: A desire for thrills or stimulation, often in the form of risky or impulsive activities
Fate: A fatalistic outlook on life, where individuals feel that they have little control over their circumstances
Autonomy: A desire for independence and freedom from authority or control
Sykes and Matza’s Technique of Neutralization
Denial of Responsibility: Shifts blame away from the individual by claiming that their actions were beyond their control
Denial of Injury: Individual minimizes the harm caused by their actions, arguing that no real injury or harm occurred
Denial of the Victim: Justifies their actions by asserting that the victim deserved it, or that the victim was in some way responsible for their own misfortune
Condemnation of the Condemners: Shifting the focus away from the deviant’s behavior and instead attacking the authorities or figures who are criticizing them
Appeal to Higher Loyalties: Justifying deviant behavior by appealing to a sense of loyalty or obligation to a particular group, such as friends, family, or a gang.
XYY Syndrome Chromosomes
XYY inmates tend to be tall, physically aggressive, and frequently violent. Frequency of XYY chromosomes about 20 times greater than normal XY chromosomes among inmates in maximum security hospitals
Twin Studies
Monozygotic (MZ) twins (identical)
Dizygotic (DZ) twins (fraternal)
Lange found that in 10 of the 13 pairs of identical twins, both twins were criminal; in 2 of the 17 pairs of twins both were criminal.
