Theories of Crime and Index Crime Flashcards
Criminology
is the scientific study of criminal behavior, its causes, patterns , and affects upon society
Deterrence theory
argues that criminal behavior is affected by the cost of crime ( formal and informal punishments)
Rational Choice Theory
is no different from noncriminal behavior in that it is conduct that persons intentionally choose to undertake, and the reason that they choose to commit crime is that they think it will be more rewarding and less costly for them than noncriminal behavior.
Who developed the Classical School of Criminology?
Jeremy Bentham and Cesare de Baccaria
Classical School Theories
The school of thought hat individuals have free will to choose whether or not to commit crimes and that criminals should have rights in the criminal justice system
Neoclassical school theories
School of thought that is similar to classical school theories, except for the belief that there are mitigating circumstances for criminal acts, such as the age or mental capacity of the offender, and punishment should fit the crime.
4 Principles of Classical Theory
Individuals have the will and rationality to act according to their own will and desires
Individual will calculate the rationality of the crime based on the benefits of the crime versus the consequences of the crime
Severity of the punishment should be determined by the severity of the crime to deter others and reduce crime
Punishment must be swift and appropriate to deter others and reduce crime
Routine Activity Theory
(1) Must be a motivated offender
(2) A suitable target
(3) Absence of a capable guardian
Rational Choice Theory
Argues that people voluntarily, willfully choose to commit criminal acts just like the willfully choose to other things
Bio Criminology
the study of the role of genetics and neurophysiologic variables as they relate to criminal behavior
Positive school theories
Primarily based on sociology and psychology, that people commit crimes because of uncontrollable internal or external factors, which can be observed and measured
Atavistic stigmata
physical characteristics, representing earlier or pre human stages of evolution that were believed to distinguish criminals from others
Hard Determinism
Theory that human behavior and actions are wholly determined by external factors, and therefore humans do not have genuine free will or ethical accountability
Soft Determinism
Theory that human behavior and actions are wholly determined by causal events, but free will does exist when defined as the capacity to act according to one’s nature
ID
operated at an unconscious level according to the pleasure principle (gratification from satisfying basic instincts)
Ego
Develops during infancy. The ego’s goal is to satisfy the demands of the id in a safe an socially acceptable way
Superego
Develops during early childhood and is responsible for ensuring moral standards are followed’
The superego operated on morality principle and motivates us to behave in a socially responsible and acceptable manner’
Eros/Life instinct
helps the individual to survive; it directs life-sustaining activities such as respiration, eating and sex. The energy created by the life instincts is known as the libido.
Thanatos/Death Instinct
Is viewed as a set of destructive forces present in all human beings. When this energy is directed outward onto others, it is expressed as aggression and violence
Personality development
depends on the interplay of instinct and environment during the first five years of life.
Social Disorganization
There are ecological factors that lead to high rated of crime in these communities
Factors (high school dropouts, unemployment, deteriorating infrastructures and single-parent homes.
Only for street crime at neighborhood level
Differential Association
A theory developed by Edwin Sutherland proposing that through interaction with others, individuals learn the values, attitudes, techniques, and motives for criminal behavior.
Social learning theory
espouses the idea that people learn by watching others.
“If someone is observed being successful in achieving the goal desired by an individual, that individual is more likely to model the same behavior in hopes of achieving the same goal”
Social Control Theory (Direct)
Punishment is threatened or applied for wrongful behavior, and compliance is rewarded by parents, family and authority figures.
