Intro Slides Flashcards
Definition fo Criminology
Criminology is the scientific stud of crime and criminal behaviour, including its causes, consequences and prevention
Importance of Criminology
Criminology is an important field because it helps us understand crime and criminal behaviour, develop prevention strategies and improve the criminal justice system.
Historical Roots of Criminology
The study of crime has a long history, dating back to the 18th century and the world of enlightment thinkers like Cesare Beccaria
What are the Schools of Criminology?
Criminology is multidisciplinary field that encompasses several schools of thought, including classical, posivist and critical criminology
What are the Key figures in criminology?
Some of the key figures in the history of criminology include Cesare Beccaria, Jeremy Bentham, Cesare Lombroso and Karl Marx
What is meant by contemporary criminology?
Today criminology is an interdisciplinary field that draws on various social and natural sciences, including sociology, psychology, biology and economics.
What are the methods of criminology ?
Criminologist usa a variety of research methods to study crime and criminal behaviour, including quantitative and qualitative methods.
What are the data sources in criminology ?
Criminologists rely on various sources of data to study crime, including official statistics, victimization surveys, self report studies, and ethnography
What are the ethical issues in criminology?
Criminologists must navigate several ethical issues, including protecting human subjects, maintaining confidentiality and avoiding bias.
Where is criminology applied? (applications of criminology)
The knowledge gained from criminology can be applied ot various areas, including crime prevention, law enforcement, corrections, and policy making
What is the future of criminology?
The future of criminology will likely focus on prevention, rehabilitaion, and community-based approaches to addressing crime and criminal behaviour
What are the biological theories of crime causation?
Biological theories of crime causation suggests that certain biological factors, such as genetics and brian abnormalities, may contribute to criminal behaviour
Who was Cesare Lombroso?
Cesare Lombroso was an early component of biological theories, he argued that criminals were born with physical traits that distinguished them from non-criminals
what is the contemporary research for biological theories of crime causation?
Today biological theories of crime causation continue to be studied, but researchers recognise that biological factiors are only one of many factors that can contribute to criminal behaviour
What are the psychological theories of crime causation?
The psychological theories of crime causation on individual traits and characteristics , such as personality , intelligence and mental health
What is Sigmund Freud’s theory on crime causation?
Sigmund Freud’s psychoanalytic theory suggests that criminal behaviour may result from unconscious conflicts and impulses
What are the contemporary research on psychological theories of crime causation?
Contemporary psychological theories of crime causation continue to explore the role of individual traits and characteristics, but also recognise the influence of social and enviornmental factors.
What are the sociological theories of crime causation?
Sociological theories of crime causation emphasises the role of social structures, institutions and processes in shaping criminal behaviour
What was Emile Durkeheim’s theory of crime causation?
Emile Durkheim’s anomie theory suggests that crime can result from a breakdown in social norms and values
What are the contemporary research in sociological theories of crime causation?
Contemporary sociological theories of crime causation continue to explore the role of social structures and institutions, but also recognise the importance of individual factors.
What are the integrated theories of crime causation?
Integrated theories fo crime casuation combine biological, psychological, and sociological perspectives to provide a more comprehensive understanding of criminal behaviour.
What is Robert Agnew’s theory on crime causation?
Robert Agnews’s general strain thory suggests that crime can result form a combination individual traits , enviornmental factors and negative life events
What does contemporary research say about integrated theories of crime causation?
Integrated theories continue to be developed and studied as criminologists recognise the complex and multifaceted nature of criminal behaviour
What is a violent crime?
Violent crimes are offenses that involve the use of force or the threat of force such as murder assult and robbery
What is a homicide ?
Homicide refer to the killing of one person by another, and can be classified as either murder or manslaughter
What are the contemporary trends of violent crimes?
Rates of violent crimes have declined in many countries in recent decades but remain ta significant social problem in some areas.
What is a property crime?
Property Crimes are offenses that involve the taking or destructing of someone elses property such as theft burglary and arson.
What is a white collar crime?
White collar crimes are non violent offenses committed by individuals in positions of trust or authority such as embezzlement and faud
What are the contemporary trends in property crimes and white collar crimes?
Rates of property crimes have declined in many countries, but white collar crimes remain a significant problem in many industries and professions
what is a public order crime?
public order crimes are offenses that violate social norms or public values such as disorderly conduct, prostitution and drug use.
what is a victimless crime?
Victimless crimes are offenses that do not involve a direct victim, such as drug use and gambling
what are hte contemporary trends on public order crimes and victimless crimes?
The criminalization of some public order and victimless crimes remain controversial , with some arguing that such offenses should be decriminalised or handled through alternative means
What is an organised crime?
Organised crimes involve illegal activities that are planned and coordinated by a group of individuals, such as drug trafficking and money laundering.
what is a transnational crime?
Transnational crime involves illegal activities that cross national borders such as human trafficking and cybercrime
What are the contemporary trends of organised and transnational crimes?
The globalisation of crime has made it more difficult for law enforcement agencies to combat organised and transnational crime, and has led ot the deveolpment of international cooperation and collaboration
What is the classical theory of crime?
the classical theory suggests that people commit crimes as a result of rational decision-making, weighing the potential benefits and consequences of their actions
What is the Deterrence theory of crime?
Deterrance theory posits that individuals can be deterred from committing crimes if the potential punishment is severe enough
what is the contemporary trend of classical and deterrence theory?
While classical and deterrence theories remain influential they have been challenged by alternative perspectives that emphazise the social and structural factors that contribute to crime.
What is the biological theory of crime?
Biological theories of crime propose that biological factors, such as genetics and brain chemistry, contribute to criminal behaviour
What are the psychological theories of crime?
The psychological theories of crime suggest that criminal behaviour is the result of individual psychological traits, such as impulsivity and aggression.
What are the contemporary trends of biological and psychological theories of crime?
While biological and psychological factors may play a role in criminal behaviour, contemporary criminologists emphasise the importance of understanding the social and enviornmental factors that shape individual behaviour
What are the sociological theories of crime?
Sociological theories of crime propose that crime is the result of social and enviornmental factors, such as poverty, inequality, and social disorganisation
What is the social learning theory of crime?
Social learning theory suggests that individuals learn criminal behaviour through their interactions with others, particularly in the context of family and peer relationships.
What are the contemporary trends of sociological theories of crime?
Emphasize the complex and intersecting social factors that contribute to criminal behaviour, including race, gender and power relations.
what is critical criminology?
a prespective that challenges the assumptions and values of mainstream criminology, and emphasize the social, economic and political contexts of crime and criminal justice.
What is feminist criminology?
Feminist criminology is a prespective that highlights the gendered nature of crime and the criminal justice system, and emphasizes the experiences and perspectives of women
What are the contemporary trends of critical and feminist criminology?
Have influenced the development of alternative models of criminal justice, suche as restorative justice and transformative justice.
What is deviance?
Refers to behaviour that violates social norms and expectations, and can range from minor infractions to serious crimes.
What is the social construction of deviance?
The concept of deviance is socially constructed, meaning that what is considered deviant behaviour varies across across time and place.
What are the contemporary trends of deviance and the social construction of deviance?
Contemporary criminologists emphasize the importance of understanding the social and cultural context in which deviant behaviour occurs, and how these contexts shape individuals perceptions of what is acceptable behaviour
What is the difference between crime and deviance?
while crime is a form of deviance not all deviance is criminal. Similarly, not all crimes are considered deviant behaviour in all contexts.
Stigma
Individuals who engage in deviant behaviour, whether criminal or not, may experience social stigma and discrimination as a result.
What are the contemporary trends in crime and deviance with a result in stigma?
Contemporary criminologists recognize the importance of considering the impact of stigma and social exclusion on individuals who engage in deviant behaviour
What is the labeling theory?
suggests that individuals who are labeled as deviant or criminal are more likely to continue engaging in deviant behaviour as a result of the social consequence of that label
What is the self-fulfilling prophecy?
the labeling theory emphasizes the idea of the self fulilling prophesy, wherby individuals internalize teh label of deviance and begin to behave in ways that conform to that label.
What are ethe contemporary trends in the labeling process?
Contemporary criminologists emphasize the importance of understanding the power dynamics involved int the labeling process and how individuals may resist or challenge stigmatizing labels
What are the critical prespectives osn crime and deviance ?
the critical prespectives on crime and deviance challenge mainstream assumptions about what is considered deviant or criminal behaviour and emphkasize the social and political contexts in which these definitions are constructed.
What is the intersectionality approach ?
an approach that recognizes the complex and intersecting social identities and experiences that shape individuals’ interactions with the criminal justice system.
what are the contemporary trends of critical perspectives and intersectionality?
contemporary criminologists emphasize the imporance of understanding the role of power and privilage in shaping definitions of deviance and criminality, and how these definitions impact marginalized communities
What is the classical theory of a store robbery?
ACCORDING TO CLASSICAL THEORY, THE CONVENIENCE
STORE ROBBERY CAN BE EXPLAINED BY INDIVIDUAL
RATIONALITY AND FREE WILL. THE ROBBER MADE A
CONSCIOUS CHOICE TO COMMIT THE CRIME, WEIGHING
THE POTENTIAL BENEFITS AGAINST THE RISKS OF
GETTING CAUGHT AND PUNISHED.
CLASSICAL THEORY SUGGESTS THAT TO DETER FUTURE
CRIMES, THE PUNISHMENT FOR THE ROBBERY SHOULD
BE SEVERE ENOUGH TO OUTWEIGH ANY PERCEIVED
BENEFITS.
What is the deterrance theory of a store robbery?
DETERRENCE THEORY FOCUSES ON THE EFFECTIVENESS
OF PUNISHMENT IN PREVENTING CRIME.
IN THE CASE OF THE CONVENIENCE STORE ROBBERY,
DETERRENCE THEORY WOULD ARGUE THAT THE
SEVERITY AND CERTAINTY OF PUNISHMENT ARE KEY
FACTORS IN PREVENTING FUTURE ROBBERIES.
FOR EXAMPLE, INCREASING POLICE PRESENCE IN THE
AREA OR IMPOSING LONGER PRISON SENTENCES FOR
ARMED ROBBERY MAY DETER POTENTIAL CRIMINALS
FROM COMMITTING SIMILAR CRIMES.
What is the biological theory of a store robbery?
BIOLOGICAL THEORIES SUGGEST THAT SOME
INDIVIDUALS MAY BE PREDISPOSED TO CRIMINAL
BEHAVIOR DUE TO GENETIC OR PHYSIOLOGICAL
FACTORS.
STUDIES HAVE LINKED CERTAIN GENES AND BRAIN
ABNORMALITIES TO AN INCREASED RISK OF VIOLENT
AND AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOR.
IN THE CASE OF THE CONVENIENCE STORE ROBBERY, A
BIOLOGICAL THEORIST MIGHT ARGUE THAT THE
ROBBER HAD A GENETIC PREDISPOSITION TO
IMPULSIVENESS AND AGGRESSION THAT CONTRIBUTED
TO THE CRIME
What is the psychological theory of a store robbery?
PSYCHOLOGICAL THEORIES FOCUS ON INDIVIDUAL
PSYCHOLOGY AND PERSONALITY TRAITS AS FACTORS
THAT CONTRIBUTE TO CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR.
FOR EXAMPLE, THE SOCIAL LEARNING THEORY
SUGGESTS THAT INDIVIDUALS LEARN CRIMINAL
BEHAVIOR THROUGH OBSERVATION AND IMITATION OF
OTHERS.
IN THE CASE OF THE CONVENIENCE STORE ROBBERY, A
PSYCHOLOGICAL THEORIST MIGHT ARGUE THAT THE
ROBBER HAD LOW IMPULSE CONTROL OR WAS
MOTIVATED BY A DESIRE FOR QUICK CASH, POSSIBLY
DUE TO UNDERLYING PERSONALITY TRAITS.
What is the sociological theory of a store robbery?
SOCIOLOGICAL THEORIES EXAMINE THE IMPACT OF
SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS ON CRIMINAL
BEHAVIOR.
STRAIN THEORY SUGGESTS THAT INDIVIDUALS ARE
MORE LIKELY TO ENGAGE IN CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR
WHEN THEY EXPERIENCE STRESS AND STRAIN DUE TO A
LACK OF OPPORTUNITIES OR SOCIAL SUPPORT.
IN THE CASE OF THE CONVENIENCE STORE ROBBERY, A
SOCIOLOGICAL THEORIST MIGHT ARGUE THAT THE
ROBBER FACED ECONOMIC HARDSHIP AND TURNED TO
CRIME AS A MEANS OF COPING WITH FINANCIAL
STRESS.
What is the social learning theory of a store robbery?
Social learning theory suggests that individuals learn criminal behaviour through observation and imitation of others
In the case of the convenience store robbery, a social learing theorist might argue that the robber was influenced by peers or media portrayals of criminals, leading them to believe that crime was acceptable or desiarable behaviour
What would critical criminology say about a store robbery?
Critical criminology emphasizes the relationship between crime and power and the role of social and economic inequalities.
In the case fo the convenience store robbery and critical criminologist might argue that the crime was a result of economic inequality and lack of opportunities in the robbers community which led them to resort to crime as a means of survival
LET’S CONSIDER THE CASE OF A HOMICIDE.
THE VICTIM WAS FOUND WITH MULTIPLE GUNSHOT WOUNDS
IN A PARK, AND THE MURDER WEAPON WAS LATER
DISCOVERED IN A NEARBY DUMPSTER. THE VICTIM AND THE
SUSPECT WERE ACQUAINTANCES, AND THE MOTIVE FOR THE
KILLING REMAINS UNKNOWN.
How to answer: consider the Background and Foreground of offender, victim, justice system and society
