Theories of criminality Flashcards
Classical Criminology
People have free will and choose to commit crime.
Crime can be deterred by punishment that is certain, swift, and proportionate.
Associated with thinkers like Cesare Beccaria and Jeremy Bentham.
Biological Theories
Crime is caused by biological factors, such as genetics or brain abnormalities.
Early biological theories focused on physical features, such as skull shape.
More recent research has examined the role of hormones and neurotransmitters.
Psychological Theories
Crime is caused by psychological factors, such as personality traits or mental disorders.
Some psychological theories focus on early childhood experiences.
Others focus on cognitive processes, such as how people think and make decisions.
Sociological Theories
Crime is caused by social factors, such as poverty, inequality, or social disorganization.
Social learning theory argues that people learn to commit crime from others.
Labeling theory argues that being labeled a “criminal” can lead to further crime.
Radical Criminology
Crime is caused by the structure of society, such as capitalism or patriarchy.
Radical criminologists argue that the criminal justice system is biased against the poor and marginalized.
Feminist Criminology
Traditional criminological theories have ignored women’s experiences.
Feminist criminologists examine the ways in which women are victimized and criminalized.
Cultural Criminology
Crime is a cultural and expressive act.
Cultural criminologists examine the meanings of crime and the role of media in shaping perceptions of crime.
Postmodern Criminology
There is no single truth about crime.
Postmodern criminologists focus on the ways in which language and power shape our understanding of crime.
Critical Race Theory
The criminal justice system is racially biased.
Critical race theorists examine the ways in which race and racism affect crime and criminal justice.
