INDIVIDUAL EXPLANATIONS FOR CRIME Flashcards
Classicism assumes that…
the criminal is someone exercising free-will and rationality
How does classicism perceive punishment should occur?
punishment by laws/legislation, proportionate to the crime.
What is the focus of classicism?
the offence
Positivism is deterministic, meaning…
the focus is on the offender, relying on data and theory.
What is the positivistic nature of the offender? (3)
Determined. Driven by biological, psychological or other influences. Pathological offender.
What is the positive response to crime?
Treatment, depending on individual circumstances.
What are the 3 things that can make someone “evil”?
Disposition (bad apple), Situational (bad barrel), Systemic (bad barrel makers)
What are the positive aspects of eugenics? (2)
Improved gene pool, financial incentives to have children
What are the negative aspects of coercive eugenics?
Compulsory sterilization, segregation, restricted marriage/immigration, Nazis
What biochemical factors can cause increased criminality? (4)
ADHD (hyperactivity leading to aggression and violence), Acquired brain damage (foetal alcohol syndrome), childhood abuse, hormones/testosterone.
What theory helps understand criminality as a learned behaviour?
Psychological Positivism
Offenders ‘responding’ “helplessly” to their cues is an example of what?
Classical Conditioning
What treatment was once used to treat delinquency?
Aversion therapy to break classical conditioning (Clockwork Orange)
3 elements of Operant Conditioning:
Antecedent condition prompts particular behaviours that lead to consequences.
What are positive reinforcers of crime?
Sexual pleasure (rape), acquisition of items (theft)
What are negative reinforcers of crime?
Murder (removal of a person)
What are positive punishments of crime?
Fines, the addition of restriction (jail)
What are the negative punishments of crime?
loss of job, loss of a relationship
Social Learning Theory determines…
it is possible to learn cognitively through the observation of others behaviour.
Crime as a rational choice considers
“perceptions” of the situation and risk/reward, the decision to offend is constrained by time, cognitive ability and info.
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy encourages offender to develope the ability to…
anticipate consequences
High amounts of PNE are likely to increase criminality, what is PNE?
Psychoticism, Neuroticism, Extroversion
Effective prevention is dependent on punishment (3, classicism):
- with certainty (how likely punishment is to occur
- with celerity (how quickly punishment occurs relative to offence)
- with severity
What are some limitations to classicism?:
- Treats all individuals as ‘rational’ actors, ignores mental illness, maturity, cognitive impairments
- ignores the influence of ‘power’on behaviour
- no altered outcomes to consider individual differences/circumstances
