Unit 2 AC4.1 Assess the use of criminological theories in informing policy development Flashcards
Define tranquillisers.
A medicinal drug taken to reduce tension or anxiety.
Define castration.
The removal of testicles or sexual function in males.
Define superego.
Conscience or moral part of the mind – acting against it leads to guilt and anxiety.
Define eugenics
The study of how to increase the occurrence of heritable characteristics regarded as desirable
How has Antabuse been used as a biological way of reducing crime?
Causes extreme hangover effects to drinkers – reduces aggression/violence
How has Methadone been used as a biological way of reducing crime?
Reduces withdrawal symptoms in heroin addicts – reduces possession crimes and petty theft to fund habits
How has Stilboestrol been used as a biological way of reducing crime?
Female hormone used in chemical castration – reduces sexual urges in sex offenders
How has Valium been used as a biological way of reducing crime?
Calms potentially violent or troublesome prisoners down
How has tear gas been used as a biological way of reducing crime?
Can be used to control and disperse crowds – causes breathing issues and disorientation
How has diet been used as a biological way of reducing crime?
Can be modified to change behavior: additives, vitamins, food coloring, etc.
How has surgical castration been used as a biological way of reducing crime?
Has been used to control sex offenders’ urges by removing testicles
How has lobotomy been used as a biological way of reducing crime?
Brain surgery to change behavior in violent/sex offenders
How has eugenics been used as a genetic way of reducing crime?
Based on the idea that undesirable genes (e.g., criminal gene) can be ‘bred out’
How has compulsory sterilization been used as a genetic way of reducing crime?
Several countries introduced laws in the early 20th century to sterilize ‘defectives’
How was eugenics used in Nazi Germany?
Extreme eugenics policies led to ‘racial purification’ and the Holocaust
How can psychoanalysis reduce crime?
Based on Freud’s idea that the analyst can resolve unconscious conflicts that lead to criminal behavior
Why did Aichorn think Young Offending Institutions could reduce crime?
Developed more nurturing YOIs to develop a stronger superego among delinquent youths
Is psychoanalysis effective?
Not very. Takes a long time, costs a lot, and the analyst is able to abuse their power
How can token economies reduce crime?
Based on the idea that positive reinforcement leads to the repetition of desirable behavior
How have token economies been used in prisons?
Inmates earn tokens for desired behavior which are exchanged for rewards
Are token economies effective?
Improved behavior in prison, slower return to crime on release, but not long-lasting
Define ART
Aggression replacement therapy
Define SFP
Self-fulfilling prophecy. The individual lives up to the label they have been given
Define panopticon
‘All-seeing’
Why might aversion therapy reduce crime according to Eysenck?
Based on Eysenck’s idea that highly neurotic criminals are harder to condition
How does aversion therapy work?
Used on sex offenders to associate sexual arousal with severely unpleasant stimulus
Is aversion therapy effective?
Limited, short-term, and an abuse of human rights (when used to ‘cure’ gay men)
How can cognitive behavioral therapy reduce crime?
To correct ‘faulty’ thinking patterns of offenders
What does ART involve?
Used with violent/aggressive offenders. Involves skills training, anger control, moral reasoning
Is ART effective?
Lower reconviction rates. Some studies suggest limited behavioral change
What is Think First?
One-to-one or group sessions for repeat offenders on probation. Includes problem-solving, consequential thinking, decision making, and perspective taking
What needs to be done to reduce crime according to Merton?
Making society more equal would reduce crime
Are Merton’s arguments effective?
Policies to tackle poverty, create equal opportunities in school, provide education in prisons
What is the basis of labeling theory?
Crime is a result of the Self-Fulfilling Prophecy
Why do labeling theorists promote decriminalization?
Decriminalizing minor offenses avoids labeling
Why do labeling theorists promote diversion?
Officially or unofficially avoiding young criminals entering the criminal justice system
Why do labeling theorists promote reintegrative shaming?
Labelling the act but not the actor
Are labeling theorists’ strategies to reduce crime effective?
Can deal successfully with minor offenses and young offenders. Avoiding labeling prevents them from being pushed into a deviant career
How does CCTV reduce crime?
Leads people to self-regulate as they never know if they are being watched or not
Is CCTV effective?
Easy for criminals to overcome. Probably more effective as reassurance for the public
How does profiling reduce crime?
Uses statistical data to draw up a picture of likely offenders
Can profiling successfully reduce crime?
Can be discriminatory and lead to the Self-Fulfilling Prophecy
What is situational crime prevention (SCP)?
Measures to make crime more difficult, such as locks, security guards, and reshaping the environment to design out crime
What is target hardening?
Measures to make crime more difficult, such as locks, security guards, and reshaping the environment to design out crime
What is displacement?
Criminals adopt different methods or different targets rather than not committing crime at all
What is environmental crime prevention (ECP)?
Measures to make crime more difficult, such as locks, security guards, and reshaping the environment to design out crime
What is zero-tolerance policing (ZTP)?
Tough stance on all crime, even the most trivial. Police concentrate on things like begging and prostitution
What is incapacitation?
Criminals in prison are unable to commit crimes
What is an Anti-Social Behaviour Order (ASBO)?
Sanction for causing harassment, alarm, or distress within a designated area
What is democratic policing?
Involving the people and allowing them to have a say in the policies that affect them
What is a Police Community Support Officer (PCSO)?
A support officer in the police force
What is the basis of left realism?
The root cause of crime is an unequal and unfair social structure
What policies do left realists propose to tackle crime?
Tackle discrimination, inequality of opportunity, lack of good jobs for all, lack of decent housing for all
Would left realist policies be effective?
Reduces relative deprivation and thus reduces some crimes
What is multi-agency working?
Involving many agencies apart from the police in the fight against crime
How effective are multi-agency approaches?
Some successful campaigns have taken this approach
What was the New Labour approach to crime?
Tough on crime, tough on the causes of crime
Have New Labour approaches to crime been effective?
Some successful campaigns have taken this approach
