Theories of Crime Flashcards
What are the main theories of crime?
Neuropsychological Intelligence Psychoanalysis Addiction Biosocial (Eysenck) Social Learning Theory (Bandura) Social Construction
What are the 3 main reasons why Neuropsychological theories are unpopular?
1) They overlook psychological factors.
2) It’s hard to determine whether a physiological anomaly is a cause or effect of crime (difficult to establish causal links).
3) They cannot be used to identify criminals before they commit a crime.
What did Evans & Claycombe (1998) find?
That violent criminals who claim to be directed by external forces showed higher alpha brain wave patterns.
What did Schiffer et al (2007) find?
Paedophiles have lower grey matter volume in the frontostriatal circuit & cerebellum.
Perinatal complications are associated with…
violent crime.
Brian injury may lead to violent behaviour, but…
violent people may be more likely to suffer brain injury.
What other factors may account for the neurological differences between offenders and non-offenders?
Lifestyle
Socioeconomic status
Environment
What is the main pro of neuropsychological theory?
It could lead to medical treatment for crime/criminals.
There is only a weak connection between _____ & criminality, according to Cullen et al (1997),
IQ
The intelligence theory is largely discredited as…
certain types of crime are often committed by highly intelligent people.
Which study looked at the link between maternal deprivation and juvenile crime?
Bowlby’s (1944) study “44 juvenile thieves”.
It is suggested that Bowlby’s (1944) findings were exaggerated to…
encourage women to stay at home after the war, making more jobs available to men.
How many cases in the “44 juvenile thieves” study found that maternal deprivation was a factor?
14
What is a strength of the Psychoanalysis theory?
It highlights the impact of early experiences on criminality.
What are the 2 main weaknesses of psychoanalysis theory?
Psychoanalytic therapies are ineffective.
Theory is not supported by research.
________ is regularly found in those who engage in criminal behaviours.
Addiction
Kilpatrick (1997) found…
similar patterns of behaviour between joyriding (habitual crime) and addiction, and that treatments for addiction can also work with crime.
What is the main strength of Addiction theory?
It explains why people repeatedly commit crimes despite punishment.
What is the main weakness of Addiction theory?
It describes behaviour rather than explains it.
The is a higher population of ____ men in prison, however most were involved in ______ crime.
XYY chromosome; non-violent.
What are the 3 body types that influence criminality, as according to Eysenck (1964)?
Endomorph
Ectomorph
Mesomorph
What are Eysenck’s 3 components of personality?
Extraversion (hard to condition/poor socialisation)
Psychoticism (non-conformity/antisocial behaviour)
Neuroticism (emotional, volatile & hyper-reactive)
What is Bandura’s (1983) Social Learning Theory?
That children learn violent behaviour by copying others.
What is the main strength of the Biosocial theory?
It attempts to explain all aspects of behaviour.
