Violent Crime

Question 1

What is Violence?

Answer 1

The use of power to harm another, whatever form it takes

Question 2

Interpersonal violence

Answer 2

E.g., robbery, acquaintance violence, domestic violence, mugging, sexual violence, homicide

Question 3

State/political violence

Answer 3

E.g., terrorism, war-related violence (e.g., mass rape, torture)

Question 4

Corporate violence

Answer 4

E.g., death or injury due to corporate negligence or neglect e.g. faulty equipment crimes against the environment

Question 5

What are the consequences of violence?

Answer 5

emotional, physical, psychological, financial and DEATH

Question 6

Violence related deaths (WHO 2002)

Answer 6

14% homicide
21% self-directed, suicide
8% collective (war-related)
57% corporate violence (work-related)

Question 7

How many recorded crimes are interpersonal?

Answer 7

1 in 4

Question 8

What percentage of violent crime goes unreported?

Answer 8

50%

Question 9

Acquaintance violence is most prevalent (about 43%)

Answer 9

43%

Question 10

Alcohol and drugs are commonly involved in violent offences

Answer 10

50%

Question 11

Violent crime has decreased from … its peak in 1995

Answer 11

50%

Question 12

Socio-demographic (static) risks for violent victimization

Answer 12

gender, age, ethnicity, social class

Question 13

Dynamic risk factors for violent victimization

Answer 13

‘Lifestyle’ factors eg being homeless/going out a lot

Workplace/occupation. night time economy/dangerous job

Question 14

most common homicide is between people who know each other

Answer 14

22% homicides are done by people known to victim

16% done by partner or ex-partner

Question 15

Biological factors determining criminality:

its a process of nature and nurture

Answer 15

Lombroso’s ‘born criminal’ : they are in premature stages of development etc
CAN ONLY EXPLAIN LIMITED NUMBER OF CRIMES

Question 16

alcohol and drug use is not a CAUSE of crime

Answer 16

they are just influential factors

Question 17

Psychological Factors determining criminality

Answer 17

all behaviour is learned (Strauss and Gelles; 1990)

Question 18

Social Learning Theory - Strauss and Gelles 1990

Answer 18

when violence is normative in the family (victims of abuse of neglect or aggressive parents) children learn through imitation, kids learn aggression is used to resolve disputes, violence is then repeated in later life, especially in cases of domestic violence

Question 19

Sociological theories of understanding violence

SUBCULTURES OF VIOLENCE

Answer 19

Wolfgang & Farracuti (1967) - people learn violence and alternative norms, values, attitudes and legitimate their violence through group participation - delinquent attitudes promoted

Question 20

the ‘maleness’ of violent crime

Answer 20

pressure on young men to prove they are “hard” - capable of inflicting violence and display dominance and machoism.