Midterm Flashcards
Positivist Criminology
The Branch of social sciences, started in the 19th century that uses the scientific method
Uniform Crime Report (UCR)
Large database complied by the FBI of crimes reported and arrest made each year throughout the U.S.
National Incident Based Reporting System (NIBRS)
A program is considered the “future of the Uniform Crime Report”
National Crime Victimization Survey
An ongoing victimization study conducted jointly by the Justice Department and the U.S. Census Bureau
Rational Choice Theory
Crime is a function of a decisions making process in which the potential offender weighs cost and benefits
Cesare Beccaria
An Italian philosopher who founded the roots of the Rational Choice Theory in his Classical school.
Defensible Space
The principle that crime can be prevented by modifying the physical environment to reduce the opportunity of crime
Diffusion
When efforts to prevent one crime unintentionally prevent another
Displacement
Occurs when crime control efforts simply move offenders to less heavily guarded targets
Discouragement
When crime control efforts targeting a particular location help reduce crime in area
Differential Susceptibility
Says some people possess traits that make them more susceptible to environmental influences
Individual Vulnerability Model
Some peoples developmental conditions that affect criminality no matter where they live or. their upbringing
Social Learning
Human behavior is modeled through observation of human social interactions
Limbic System
A structure surrounding the brain stem that is believed to moderate expression of violence, like anger
Stratified Society
People are grouped according to economic or social class
Social Structure Theory
Believe that disadvantaged economic class position is a primary cause of crime
Broken Window Theory
Visible signs of disorder misbehavior can encourage further disorder and misbehavior
Collective Efficacy
Cohesive communities and based on mutual trust
Anomia
When socially defined goals are universally mandated but access to legitimate mean
Shaw/Mckay
Popularized the social disorganization theory by conducting research in Chicago (1920)
Conflict Theory
Developed by Karl/Mckay and says human behavior is shaped by societal friction. Have versus have nots.
Tangible
Physical like loss of money
Intangible
Emotional like Depression/Anxiety
Active Precipitation
Actively insulting or encouraging the crime, like insulting someone at the bar
Passive Precipitation
Something you cannot control causing the crime. Like being LGBTQ
Routine Activities Theory
Suitable target, motivated offender and lack of capable argument
Psychodynamic Perspective
Human personality is made up of ego, super ego and ID
