Theories of Crime Flashcards
Occam’s Razor
The simplest, most straightforward theory that explains all evidence is the best theory (eg E=mc2)
Positivist School
A school of thought that attributed criminal behaviour to biological or psychological factors; often referred to as the “Italian School” - linked to Charles Darwin’s 1859 theory of evolution, physical anthropology, Gregor Mendel’s 1865 work on genetics, etc
Chicago School
The first school of sociology in the USA; view of criminality shaped by rapid urbanization around the globe in the 1800s and 1900s and by social forces such as the Progressive movement
Classical School
A body of work that emerged in Europe (17th/18th century) that argued people have the capacity to think rationally; contemporary deterrence theory (Cesare Beccaria, Jeremy Bentham)
Early Positivist School
endorsed the “medical model”—the notion that criminals were sick and in need of treatment, giving rise to a number of prison reforms and new emphasis on rehabilitation
Hedonism
the view that pleasure is the primary good; the pursuit of pleasure (Cesare Beccaria, Jeremy Bentham)
Utilitarianism
a philosophy that suggests reasoned decisions will produce the greatest good for the greatest number (Cesare Beccaria, Jeremy Bentham)
Free will
a will whose choices are not conditioned or determined by factors external to itself; also, the doctrine that free will exists (Cesare Beccaria, Jeremy Bentham)
Rational choice theory
1986 book by Derek B. Cornish and Ronald V. Clark; offenders make conscious choices based on a cost-benefit analysis
Cesare Beccaria
Classical school theorist · Argued against secret accusations and use of torture (insisting accused individuals should have right to know their accusers and right to a fair trial), punishment should be proportional to the crime
Jeremy Bentham
Classical school theorist · Argued that humans are rational, free-willed actors, human behaviour is governed by hedonistic (pleasure-pain) calculus · Punishment should be restricted only to amount required to achieve deterrence
Does deterrence work?
Still an ongoing debate · Canadian studies: close to half of all male federal offenders have previously served a federal term of imprisonment · In US studies, 70% of parolees are re-arrested for serious crimes within six years of their release
Specific and General Deterrence
Specific: individual offender is deterred from reoffending as a result of conviction and punishment
General:members of general public are deterred from offending by seeing individual criminals convicted and punished for their actions
Situational deterrence
· deterred by immediate (environmental) circumstances than by the threat of future punishment · deterred by fear
Atavism
Cesare Lombroso/Positivist school, notion that criminals are less evolved than “normal” humans
somatotyping theory
Sheldon 1949, 3 distinct and unusual body types ectomorph, endomorph, and mesomorph
ectomorph
skinny, frail, prone to nervous disorders/anxiety
endomorph
overweight, sociable, loved to eat
mesomorph
muscular, triangular torso, competitive/aggressive/prone to violence
Criticisms of Positivist school
· for supporting bad genes caused “diseases” and eliminating them through selective breeding (i.e., sterilization, segregation, and extermination)
·for discounting relationship between crime and social factors (poverty, lack of education, lack of employment opportunities)
Legacy of Positivist school
seen in medical model in criminal court system and correctional system court: lawyers argue for special consideration because of psychological disorders and diminished mental capacity correctional system: parole involving psychiatric and psychological reports
