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Forensic Psychology > Theories of Crime > Flashcards

Theories of Crime Flashcards

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1
Q

What are the main theories of crime?

A 
Neuropsychological
Intelligence
Psychoanalysis
Addiction
Biosocial (Eysenck)
Social Learning Theory (Bandura)
Social Construction
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2
Q

What are the 3 main reasons why Neuropsychological theories are unpopular?

A

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.

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3
Q

What did Evans & Claycombe (1998) find?

A

That violent criminals who claim to be directed by external forces showed higher alpha brain wave patterns.

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4
Q

What did Schiffer et al (2007) find?

A

Paedophiles have lower grey matter volume in the frontostriatal circuit & cerebellum.

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5
Q

Perinatal complications are associated with…

A

violent crime.

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6
Q

Brian injury may lead to violent behaviour, but…

A

violent people may be more likely to suffer brain injury.

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7
Q

What other factors may account for the neurological differences between offenders and non-offenders?

A

Lifestyle
Socioeconomic status
Environment

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8
Q

What is the main pro of neuropsychological theory?

A

It could lead to medical treatment for crime/criminals.

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9
Q

There is only a weak connection between _____ & criminality, according to Cullen et al (1997),

A

IQ

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10
Q

The intelligence theory is largely discredited as…

A

certain types of crime are often committed by highly intelligent people.

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11
Q

Which study looked at the link between maternal deprivation and juvenile crime?

A

Bowlby’s (1944) study “44 juvenile thieves”.

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12
Q

It is suggested that Bowlby’s (1944) findings were exaggerated to…

A

encourage women to stay at home after the war, making more jobs available to men.

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13
Q

How many cases in the “44 juvenile thieves” study found that maternal deprivation was a factor?

A

14

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14
Q

What is a strength of the Psychoanalysis theory?

A

It highlights the impact of early experiences on criminality.

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15
Q

What are the 2 main weaknesses of psychoanalysis theory?

A

Psychoanalytic therapies are ineffective.

Theory is not supported by research.

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16
Q

________ is regularly found in those who engage in criminal behaviours.

A

Addiction

17
Q

Kilpatrick (1997) found…

A

similar patterns of behaviour between joyriding (habitual crime) and addiction, and that treatments for addiction can also work with crime.

18
Q

What is the main strength of Addiction theory?

A

It explains why people repeatedly commit crimes despite punishment.

19
Q

What is the main weakness of Addiction theory?

A

It describes behaviour rather than explains it.

20
Q

The is a higher population of ____ men in prison, however most were involved in ______ crime.

A

XYY chromosome; non-violent.

21
Q

What are the 3 body types that influence criminality, as according to Eysenck (1964)?

A

Endomorph
Ectomorph
Mesomorph

22
Q

What are Eysenck’s 3 components of personality?

A

Extraversion (hard to condition/poor socialisation)

Psychoticism (non-conformity/antisocial behaviour)

Neuroticism (emotional, volatile & hyper-reactive)

23
Q

What is Bandura’s (1983) Social Learning Theory?

A

That children learn violent behaviour by copying others.

24
Q

What is the main strength of the Biosocial theory?

A

It attempts to explain all aspects of behaviour.

25
Q

What is the main weakness of the Biosocial theory?

A

It has no practical benefit.

26
Q

Social Learning Theory cannot explain why some individuals…

A

do not learn & engage in criminal behaviours even when exposed to the same conditions as those who do.

27
Q

Social Construction of crime suggests that..

A

context must be considered to class an action as a crime.

28
Q

Howitt (1992) suggested that classing something as a crime is determined by the knowledge from the…

A

dominant social groups.

29
Q

Why may the prevalence of certain crimes appear to rise in a certain time period?

A

It is likely that there has become a greater focus on that type of crime the current society, meaning more crimes are identified.

30
Q

What is the main strength of the Social Construction theory?

A

It shows how peoples attitudes to crime change over time, and explains peoples perceptions of crime.

Forensic Psychology (3 decks)

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