unit 3 Flashcards
What are the 7 types of crime
- Property predatory crime
- Property fraudulent crime.
- Interpersonal violence general.
- Interpersonal violence sexual.
- Transactional vice.
- Order disruption.
- Folk/Mundane crime.
Characteristics of criminal behaviour
The specific characteristics difficult to define, since there’s diff types of crime which are bound to laws of each society and laws can change. One thing in common is that the behaviour has a detrimental or harmful effect on a victim, and the person committing the crime knows that what they are doing is wrong or illegal.
Adrian Raine (1993) twin study
52% concordance for MZ twins and 21% in DZ twins for their delinquent behaviour.
What genes are linked to criminal behaviour?
MAOA and CDH13
Brunner et al (1993) study
Analysed DNA of 28 male members of aggressive Dutch family and found that they all shared a particular gene leading to low MAOA.
Diathesis stress model of inherited criminality
Epigenetics proposes that genes are switched on and off by epigenomes which have been affected by environmental factors.
What’s one possibility of epigenomes being switched on
Maltreatment in childhood.
Caspi et al (2002)
Used data from longitudinal study that has followed around 1000 people from babies. Assessed antisocial behaviour at 26 and 12% of low MAOA had experienced maltreatment and were responsible for 44% violent convictions.
Raine (2004) brain study
Cites 71 brain imaging studies showing that violent people have less functioning in the prefrontal cortex which regulates emotion and behaviour.
What is the amygdala
A structure of the brain made of grey matter, located in the medical temporal lobe and part of the limbic system
James Papez (amygdala)
Implicated amygdala in behaviour. Connected as it’s neurally linked to the hypothalamus, hippocampus and prefrontal cortex so has a large influence on brain functioning and behaviours like emotion and social interaction. Plays a role in how we respond to threats.
Coccaro et al (amygdala)
Investigated effects of amygdala on aggression by studying people with Intermittent Explosive Disorder. Reviewed faces at the same time as fMRI scan and IED group showed high levels of amygdala activity when viewing angry faces.
Amygdala and fear conditioning
Children learn to inhibit aggressive/antisocial behaviours with fear conditioning and the amygdala is involved. If amygdala is dysfunctional they won’t identify social cues that indicate threat so seem fearless.
Longitudinal study (fear conditioning)
1795 participants tested for fear conditioning at age 3 by measuring physiological arousal in response to painful noise. Those who committed crimes at 23 showed no fear conditioning at 3 years
Link between personality and criminal behaviour
Can be explained in terms of arousal - extroverts seek more arousal so engage in dangerous activities. Neurotics are unstable so overreact in threat. Psychoticism lack empathy. People high in these less easily conditioned.
Eysenck’s criminal personality
General theory of personality based on idea that character traits tend to cluster along 3 dimensions; extroversion, neuroticism and psychoticism
Biological basis for criminal behaviour personality
Suggested each trait has a biological basis which is innate (comes from genetics). 67% of the variance for the traits is due to genetic factors
Biological basis for extroversion
Determined by the overall level of arousal in a person’s nervous system. Extroverts under aroused so need more stimulation
Biological basis for neuroticism
Determined by the level of stability in the sympathetic nervous system. Unstable and easily get upset
Biological basis for psychoticism
Has been related to higher levels of testosterone so men more likely.
Cognitive distortion
Form of irrational thinking. Ways that reality has become twisted so what is perceived no longer represents what’s true.
2 examples of cognitive distortion
Hostile attribution bias and minimalization
What is a hostile attribution bias?
Someone always thinks the worst.
What is minimalization
An offender may reduce negative interpretation of their behaviour which helps them accedpt the consequences and feel less empathy.
Kohlberg (levels of moral reasoning)
Interviewed boys and men about reasons for their moral decisions and conducted a stage theory of moral development where each stage is more advanced
Levels of moral reasoning
Preconventional level, conventional level, then post conventional level.
Why are most criminals in the pre conventional level
Believe breaking the law is justified if rewards outweigh the costs or punishment can be avoided.
Apply cognitive factors to modifying criminal behaviour
Anger management based on principles of CBT e.g ‘CALM’ scheme in prison. 24 session programme teaches participants to monitor and understand their emotions by modelling, role play, team work and evaluation. Aim to develop skills that reduce the frequency, intensity and duration of anger to lessen likelihood of aggression.
Edwin Sutherland (differential association theory)
Suggested that offending behaviour can be explained entirely in terms of social learning
What is learned in the differential association theory
Child learn if crime is desirable or undesirable, and what particular crimes are desirable and specific methods of committing a crime
Who is the differential association theory learned from
Intimate personal groups like family and peers. Wider neighbourhood - the degree to which a community supports or opposes criminal involvement determines differences in crime rates.
How is differential association theory learned?
Frequency, length and personal meaning of such associations will determine the degree of influence. Direct and indirect operant conditioning. Directly reinforced from praise or punishment and indirect from role models behaviour.
What is socialisation
A process by which we learn the norms, customs and skills necessary to participate in our society.
What did Edwin Sutherland claim happened during socialisation
Boys are encouraged to be risk takers and tough whereas girls are more closely supervised meaning they have less opportunity and inclination to commit crimes.
How do we learn about gender behaviours
Through observation and imitation of our role models. (mothers for girls, fathers for boys).
Why do boys rebel
Traditionally its easier to access mothers so boys rebel against socialisation but their mother to look more masculine. Find male peer groups who reward rule breaking
Frances Heidensohn (1985) social control for women
Said women are controlled at home, work and public, and not able to stay out late like sons due to chores so don’t commit crimes. Social opportunities indoors too like sleepovers.
Apply gender socialisation to modifying criminal behaviours
If gender socialisation is a kay component in criminal behaviour then men should be socialised different to reduce criminal behaviour. Could be exposed to more feminine strategies of conflict management or media should promote less aggressive role models. Man Up Project Scheme supports men in explore ways the concept of masculinity contributes to shaping identity.
Short term aim of anger management
Reduce anger and aggression in prisons.
Long term aim of anger management
Rehabilitation and reduction of recidivism
Key aims of anger management
Cognitive restructuring
Regulation of arousal
Behavioural strategies.
3 key steps of stress inoculation model by Novaco
Conceptualisation, skill acquisition and rehearsal, application and follow through
Conceptualisation stress inoculation model
Clients learn about anger in general: how it can be adaptive and non adaptive. Analyse their anger to see what provokes them
Skill acquisition stress inoculation model
Taught various skills to help manage anger like self regulation, cognitive flexibility and relaxation. Taught communication skills to resolve conflicts without anger
Application and follow through stress inoculation model
Apply their skills in controlled and non threatening situations like role plays of past situations.
Aims of restorative justice
Rehabilitation of offenders and atonement for wrongdoing.
Wachtel and McCold’s theory of restorative justice
Propose a theoretical framework. Their starting point is that focus should be on relationships not punishment and three stakeholders are necessary: victim, offender, community.
