Introduction To Crime And Deviance

Question 1

Explanations for criminal behaviour

Answer 1

Lambroso:
Claimed to have discovered biological characteristics criminals have: enormous jaws, high cheeks bones, prominent superciliary arches, solitary lines on palms, etc.

Eysneck:
Argued personality is largely inherited. Extroverts and people who seek highs from risks, are more likely to become criminals

Question 2

Why don’t people commit crimes?

Answer 2

Formal social control - statutory power to enforce rules
Informal social control - pressure from communities to adhere to social norms

Question 3

Travis Hirschi - social bond theory

Answer 3

The strength of a person’s bond to society helps determine whether they’d commit crimes or not.
4 types of social bonds
- attachment: how much do we care about what others think?
- commitment: what have we got to lose?
- involvement: how involved are we in society?
- belief: do I believe it is the right thing to do?
Many male prisoners have fractured family relationships, insecure employment and the reading age of an 11 y/o.

Question 4

Travis Hirschi - criticisms

Answer 4

Is crime and deviance an inevitable response to weak social bonds?
Why might crime and deviance be a response to some but not others?
Van individuals strongly bonded to society’s institutions nevertheless commit crime?