Theories of Crime Flashcards
3 Types of theories
Sociological, Psychological, Physiological
2 Sociological theories
The Labelling theory and Underclass Theory
2 Psychological Theories
Attachment theory, Intelligence Theory
Who is the attachment theory developed by?
John Bowlby
Contemporary evidence for the attachment theory?
Studies from within the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) found that approximately 50% of offenders in Scottish prisons under the age of 21 grew up in care and have indeed suffered from disruption to maternal attachment.
International evidence for the attachment theory?
In New Zealand studies found that 81% of under 21s incarcerated had experienced growing up in the care system
Contemporary evidence for the Intelligence Theory?
According to the Prisoner Learning Alliance, nearly half (47%) of prisoners in in the uk enter custody without any formal qualifications, indicating significant gaps in their educational backgrounds.
Second Contemporary evidence for the Intelligence Theory?
The most recent data from the Ministry of Justice shows that 57% of adult prisoners who took initial assessments had literacy skills below the level expected of an 11-year-old
International evidence for the Intelligence Theory?
In New Zealand, Studies indicate that 60% of prisoners have literacy and numeracy skills below the competency expected for National Certificate in Educational Achievement (NCEA) Level One, which is roughly equivalent to the skills of a young teenager.
Who developed the labelling theory?
Sociologist Howard Becker
Contemporary evidence for the Labelling theory?
Research from the University of Leeds highlights how the media’s representation of Muslims is “largely hostile,” with Muslim voices remaining “marginal.” This biased coverage can create a label of “outsider” or “threat,” shaping how society views Muslims and influencing how Muslims view themselves
International evidence for the Labelling theory?
Indiana University research on media reports following the murder of George Floyd found that protests against anti-Black racism and for Indigenous rights received “least legitimising coverage” and were often framed as “threatening and violent.”
Who developed the underclass theory?
Sociologists such as Charles Murray
Contemporary evidence for the underclass theory?
Data from the Evidence Submission to the Edinburgh Poverty Commission (June 2019), which shows that victims in the most deprived neighbourhoods of Edinburgh reported an average of 1.9 incidents of crime, compared to 1.3 incidents in the least deprived neighbourhoods.
International evidence for the underclass theory?
South Africa shows that the country, which has one of the highest poverty rates in the world, also has the fifth-highest crime rate globally. As of 2024, approximately 13.2 million people in South Africa are living in extreme poverty
