O&V Theories

Question 1

Classical Criminiology

Answer 1

Utlitarian approach, we tend to think peoples motivation is rational and we can build a science of man. We need to control the criminal classes
Cesere Beccaria 1738-94
Jeremy Bentham 1748-1832

Question 2

Criminological Positivism

Answer 2

People are born with certain biological characteristics which make them prone to criminal behaviour
Cesere Lombroso 1835-1901
Hans Eysenck 1916-97
Freud 1856-1939

Question 3

Learning theories

Answer 3

People learn by automatic association
Pavlov 1849-1936

Or from rewards and penalities
Skinner 1904-1990

Or through role modelling and copying
Bandura 1977

Question 4

Cognitive behavioural approaches

Answer 4

People learn by constructing meaning through cognition related to social rewards. Criminality derives from vicious circles of re-enforcement and negative thinking

Question 5

Modern bio-psychology

Answer 5

criminality is assocaited with such internal features as brain wave patterns, high testosterone, low serotonin (lack of inhibition, brain abnormalities etc)
Adrian Raine
R.D. Hare

Question 6

Functional Theories

Answer 6

Society is a naturally functioning organism. Crime results fromf ailure of some people to be socialised in shared values
Talcot Parsons
Durkheim

Question 7

Strain theory

Answer 7

The stratification of society causes anomie (normlessness) and crime can result due the inability of some people to achieve shared goals of society (merton) or
Different goals are established which lead to criminality due to unequal opportunity (Durkheim)

Question 8

Sub-cultural theories

Answer 8

The problem of social structure, inequality of opportunity and shared goals is solved by creating deviant subcultures with different rewards and status factors.
cohen 1955, Cloward and Ohlin 1960
Sutherland 1960s - Differential association

Question 9

Environmental criminology and the chicago school

Answer 9

cities are super organisms with concentric zones. Transitional zones are run down, subject to change and insecurity (invasion, dominance and succession). Neighbourhoods of deprivation create crime which is culturally transmitted through generations
Park, Burgess 1920s, Shaw and McKay 1930s/40s

Question 10

Labelling theories adn interactionism

Answer 10

Reactions to crime within society re-enforce criminality be defining the image of individuals and treating them according to that definition. (lambert 1950s/ Becker 1960s). BEhaviour may be justified by using techniques of neutralisation (Sykes and Matza 1957)

Question 11

Marxist radical criminology

Answer 11

conflict between social classes is the norm in capitalist political economies. Crime results fromm inequality, unemployment and class oppression.
Only structural change will solve the problem of crime

Question 12

Feminist theories

Answer 12

criminology needs to focus more on the problem of male dominance and masculinity. Women are the victims of crime and are secondarily victimised by the criminal justice system

Question 13

Right realism and control theories

Answer 13

crime results from failure to socialise in a way that controls personality traits. Hence it is lack of self control that is the main problem. Need to manage crime rather than try to explain it
Wilson and Hernstein 1985
Hernstein and Murray 1994
Gottfredson and Hirschi 1990

Question 14

Left realism

Answer 14

Crime is a serious problem but policies need to take account of social deprivation and inequality and they need to emphasize community and the social inclusion or marginalised groups
Lea and Young 1984

Question 15

Post modern cultural criminology

Answer 15

Meaning within subcultures in current times is reflected in style, self ad media images and shared symbolisms of illicit identity. Crime thus reflects different cultural identities and image related values. (Haywood and Young 2004
Henry and Milovanovic 1996)