Key Terminology And Concepts

Question 1

What is classical criminology

Answer 1

A school of thought (Beccaria) based upon the idea of free will that people commit crime after weighing up the pros and cons

Question 2

Consensus theory ( the opposite of conflict theory ) is…

Answer 2

As a whole we all agree and abide by the law so consensus keeps us all together

Question 3

Functionalist theorists would say (late 1800’s)

Answer 3

Crime isn’t necessarily a bad thing as it has a function in society, by having illegal we can define what is legal

Question 4

Marxist theory explains (1800’s)

Answer 4

Law and criminal justice as well as economics.
In a capitalist society the ruling class controls the means of productions this allows them political, economic, legal power over everyone else and pay you just enough to keep coming back to work.

Question 5

Conflict theory (1840) shows

Answer 5

Society divided into two groups, group with more power controls society and group with less has to follow society.
Society driven by the conflict between two groups.

Question 6

Determinism (1880) is the view

Answer 6

that an individuals criminal actions is a direct result of their generic inheritance or their biological predisposition.
>Lombroso

Question 7

Symbolic interactions (1930) is the process by which

Answer 7

Two or more individuals share a common understanding of language or symbols

Question 8

Merton’s anomie strain theory (1940s) is about the pursuit of the American dream when

Answer 8

An individual realises that not everybody can achieve the American dream so they experience strain and are driven to commit crimes for financial gains

Question 9

Cohen’s anomie theory (1950s) focuses on status frustration and juvenile delinquency meaning…

Answer 9

When young people are measured up to middle class standards of talk, dress, manners.
Working class children don’t meet the standard and feel status deprivation which leads to statues frustration to acquire this status they commit crime .

Question 10

Social learning theory (1960) proposes that…

Answer 10

Both criminal and non criminal behaviour is acquired, maintained ot changed by interaction with other people.
Bobo doll experiment carried out by (Albert bandura, 1961)

Question 11

Social bonding theory (1960) also called the control theory

Answer 11

Explains how people commit crime or engage in delinquent activities when their social ties are weakened when these ties are strong people refrain from criminal behaviours
The four types of bonds are :
>attachment
>commitment
>involvement
>belief

Question 12

Labelling theory (1960)

Answer 12

The formal or informal application of labels affecting an individuals behaviour
Labelling someone can overtime make them start to define themselves with that label as a self fulfilling prophecy

Question 13

Routine activity theory 1970/80 is the theory of crime causation

Answer 13

For a crime to be committed you need to Have 3 key elements :
>an available, victim
>motivated offender, criminal
>lack of suitable gaurdian

Question 14

Rational choice theory (1980s) is an updated formulation of classical criminology

Answer 14

People make a rationalmvgocue to.commit crime or not to commint crime
The reward or risk of committing a crime the risk is always greater.

Question 15

Feminist theory has several waves not a set date

Answer 15

Lived experiences of women I a criminological perspective. Critiquing origins of criminology in its somewhat gender specific perspective.