Module 1: Overview of Criminal Behaviour Flashcards
Crime
Crime is a social construct which is not universal over time or within a culture.
How we define crime impacts statistics - which are important for policy development - and how we evaluate the impact of interventions.
Which crimes ARE universal?
Robbery, incest, and theft.
Criminal Behaviour
This is intentional behaviour that violates a criminal code.
Exceptions: child-perpetrated anti-social behaviour.
Prevalence
of cases or events that occurred at one point in time.
Prevalence Rate
Prevalence/Population
Incidence
of crimes or events during a specific time period/interval.
Incidence Rate
Incidence/Population
Crime Rate
of crimes per 100,00 population
Correlate of Crime
Variable, factor, etc. that is positively associated/correlated with criminal behaviour.
What is the best way to find correlates of crime?
Cross-sectional research designs.
They are cost-effective
Reverse Causation
When one variable causes another (when you suspected a vice-versa effect).
Reciprocal Causation
Maybe both variables strengthen each other.
Risk Factor
This is a variable that precedes the outcome of interest and increases the probability that the outcome will occur.
What is the best way to find risk factors?
Longitudinal designs.
More expensive
Causal Risk Factor
A risk factor that’s been manipulated/changed that results in the outcome of interest.
What is the best way to find causal risk factors?
Randomized controlled treatment designs.
What are the Central Eight Risk Factors?
Criminal history, personality, associates, attitudes, substance use, marital/family, deficits, education/employment, and unstructured leisure activity.
What are the Big Four?
History, personality, associates, and attitudes.
Dynamic Risk Factors
These are factors that can be changed through intervention.
All of the Central Eight Risk Factors are dynamic, except for Criminal History
Criminogenic Needs
These are linked to criminal behaviour.
This term is often used interchangeably with Dynamic Risk Factors
Non-Criminogenic Needs
Change over time, but are not linked to crime.
E.g. depression, anxiety, low self-esteem.
Crime Maps
They map out crime hot spots - which is where there is a concentration of crime.
Crime hot spots will inform police on where they might get the ‘best bang for their buck’ in terms of reducing crimes.
Police might set up community centers devoted to community policing in these crime hot spots.
