Unit 2 - Criminological theories

Question 1

AC1.1 – Compare Criminal Behaviour and Deviance

Answer 1

Criminal behaviour = breaks the law (e.g., theft)
Deviance = breaks social norms, not always illegal (e.g., tattoos, swearing)
Similarities = both go against ‘rules’, can overlap
Differences = not all deviance is a crime, and vice versa

Question 2

AC1.2 – Social Construction of Criminality (4)

Answer 2

Crime is not fixed – it changes over time and place e.g. cannabis is legal in some places, not others
Cultural differences – e.g., honour killings seen as wrong here, not in some cultures
Time periods – homosexuality was illegal in UK pre-1967
Moral panic/media – can shape what’s seen as criminal

Question 3

AC2.1 – Biological Theories of Criminality

Answer 3

Lombroso – criminals have atavistic features (e.g., big jaw, sloping forehead)
Sheldon – body types (mesomorphs = more aggressive)
Genetics – twin studies show some links
Brain abnormalities – damage linked to aggression

Question 4

AC2.2 – Individualistic Theories of Criminality (3)

Answer 4

Eysenck’s Personality Theory – high extraversion + neuroticism = criminal traits
Freud’s Psychodynamic Theory – weak superego = no guilt
Bandura’s Learning Theory – criminality is learned through reinforcement

Question 5

AC2.3 – Sociological Theories of Criminality (5)

Answer 5

Functionalism – crime is inevitable, can be good for change
Marxism – crime is a result of inequality and capitalism
Interactionism – labelling theory, people become what they’re labelled as
Right realism – tough on crime, focus on control
Left realism – looks at causes like poverty

Question 6

AC3.2 – Evaluate Effectiveness of Theories

Answer 6

Biological = good for explaining aggression, but too deterministic
Individualistic = considers personality, but lacks evidence
Sociological = explains wider social causes, but ignores biology

Question 7

AC4.1 – Use of Theories in Policy Development

Answer 7

Biological = early intervention, screening in schools
Sociological = tackling poverty, education programs
Individualistic = therapy, anger management

Question 8

AC4.2 – Social Changes Affecting Policyn (4)

Answer 8

Changing attitudes – e.g., more focus on rehab now
Moral panics – lead to harsher laws
Media – influence public opinion
Tech – cybercrime policies updated

Question 9

AC4.3 – Campaigns Affecting Policy Making

Answer 9

Sarah’s Law = public allowed to access info on sex offenders
Black Lives Matter = push for police reform
Me Too Movement = changes in sexual harassment laws