exam 3 content Flashcards
what is the assumption of social process theories?
-crime is a function of people’s interactions with various organizations, institutions, and processes in society
what is the assumption of social learning theories?
-criminal behavior, like any type of behavior, is learned
three components of Akers’ social learning theory?
differential association: individual is being socialized by a group of people who engage in deviant behavior
differential reinforcement: balance of actual and anticipated rewards that follow a behavior. can be social or nonsocial
definitions: attitudes and meaning that a person attaches to a behavior. can be general, specific, or neutralizations
assumptions of the neutralization perspective? identify and explain all five
denial of responsibility: individual fails to accept responsibility for their actions, blaming them on forces beyond their control. ie poverty or family
denial of injury: individual claims that no one is harmed by their actions ie just “borrowing” a car
denial of victim: justifying actions by claiming that the individual had it coming to them
condemnation of condemners: individual shifts the focus of those who condemn their actions
appeal to higher loyalties: individual justifies actions by claiming they meet demands of a group they belong to ie gang members of police conduct
drift definition
a condition of limbo between a conventional lifestyle and criminal or deviant lifestyle with no strong attachment to either
techniques of neutralization definition
justifications or rationalizations used by the individual prior to the criminal act that render ineffective by the moral reprehension associated with the act. protects their self-image and avoids blame
broken home definition
a household that is not intact because of the death of a parent, divorce, separation, or illegitimacy
religiosity definition
the degree to which one expresses an earnest or sincere regard for religion
assumptions on social bond theory? identify and explain four elements and which is most criticized
assumes all people have a natural inclination to engage in criminal behavior
attachment: emotional ties that an individual has to significant others
commitment: the time, effort, and energy spent making investments in conventional lines of action
involvement: amount of time an individual spends engaging in conventional activities (most criticized)
belief: the acceptance of conventional morality and value systems
explain results of research on family and religiosity and crime/delinquency
family relations seems to be the most important in determining whether or not a child will become delinquent. communication, interpersonal relationships, and emotional support are important
religiosity: frequent attendees lower rate of crime, jews lower than christians, protestants lower than catholics, people who believe in an afterlife lower crime rate
what do social reaction theories assume? discuss the labeling process.
assumes that no act itself is inherently criminal or non-criminal
labeling process - (howard becker) primary deviance and seconday deviance
labels can create sulf fulfilling prophecy and can also engage in the dramatization of evil
link the following names to their major theoretical contribution sutherland sykes and matza hirschi howard becker
social learning theory (principle of differential association)
neutralization techniques and how criminal have a commitment to conventional lifestyles
social bond theory
social reaction theory and labeling
primary deviance definition
deviant acts that do not redefine the self and public image of the offender
secondary deviance definition
deviant acts that redefine the offender’s self and public image, forming the basis of his or her self concept
self fulfilling prophecy definition
a response to an earlier labeling experience, the youth is living out the role bestowed upon them, acting on their label
status degradation ceremony definition
a ritual in which the identity of an offender is transformed into something looked on as lower in the scheme of social types
what is the criteria for first degree murder? what is the criteria for second degree murder?
1st: premeditation and deliberation
2nd: malice aforethought
discuss david luckenbill’s ideas on the cause of homicide
homicide is a “situated transaction” which is the accumulations of a chain of discrete actions and reactions by participants
how is rape defined under common law? official data on rape?
“the carnal knowledge of a female forcibly or against her will”
definition is highly restrictive
UCR reports 90,000 rapes a year
only a third of rapes reported. 40% reports result in arrest
15% are unfounded
identify and explain the four types of rapists
exploitative rapist: rape is an impulsive and predatory act with the victim serving only as an object of sexual gratification
compensatory rapist: obsessed with fantasies and feels very inadequate
displaced anger rapist: rape expresses their displaced anger and rage
sadistic rapist: sexual feelings are linked to aggression
data on robbery
FBI records about 440,000 a year
down 40% from all time high
bank robbery average take $4,029
under reporting issues
discuss decker and wright’s research on robbery
st. louis men are rational decision makers targets are vulnerable, accessible, and profitable motivated by a pressing need for cash endless quest for stimulation
discuss acquaintance robbery
victims may not call police because of own criminal involvement
street justice - robber has grievance against the victim
have knowledge that victim will be a good take
data on assault and battery
800,000 cases per year
NCVS reports about 4 million
weapons most commonly used are blunt instruments and hands and feet
child maltreatment
a blanket concept referring to both abuse and neglect
child molester
any adult who engages in any type of sexual contact with an individual who is legally defined as a child
assault
either attempted battery or intentionally frightening the victim by word or deed (actual touching not involved)
battery
offensive touching, such as slapping, hitting, or punching a victim (actual physical violence)
felony murder doctrine
if a death occurs during the comission of a felony, person involved in the primary offense may be charged with murder in the first degree
premeditation
planning a criminal act after careful thought, rather than carrying it out on impulse
malice aforethought
the intent to cause bodily harm
neglect
not providing a child with the care or shelter they are entitled to
pedophilia
normally defined as a sexual preference for children
felony murder doctrine
if a death occurs during the commission of a felony, person involved in the primary offense may be charged with murder in the first degree
