Week 1 - Introduction - Chapter 1 Flashcards
Define Psychology of Crime
Succinctly defined as the scientific study of behaviour and mental processes that contribute to an understanding of crime and criminals.
What is the goal of psychological criminology?
Prevent criminal behaviour and predict criminal behaviour.
What other disciplines does criminology overlap with?
Psychology, sociology, law, economics, political science, history, environmental studies
What are the differences between sociology and psychology?
Sociology takes a macro-level view which looks at society, structures, groups and classes of people, cultural norms. In contrast, psychology takes a micro-level view - such as what is it about the individual - biological makeup, personality, upbringing, thought processes, circumstances, peer pressures, developmental stage.
What is the divide between sociologists and psychologists?
Sociologists argue that in focusing on individuals, psychologists ignore factors such as social disadvantage and economic inequality that are the root causes of crime, and instead further stigmatise the vulnerable and powerless in the community. For their part, psychologists often believe that sociological theories ignore important individual variations in criminal conduct and are unduly influenced by an ideological agenda rather than scientific evidence.
merits of sociology and psychology
rather than competing, it is more productive to view them as complementary. Microscope analogy - they are explanations of crime and criminals at different levels of resolution.
Explain the shifting definitions of crime?
Crime is a legal definition that changes across time and place. Rather than fixed, criminality involves shifting definitions on a continuum and involves heterogeneity.
What is the core universally condemned offences?
Murder, theft, rape and vandalism - these behaviours are agreed to be criminal in all societies.
Explain criminality on a continuum?
No clear dividing line between offenders and non-offenders. A few people commit a lot of crime, most people commit some, a few commit no crime. Seriousness plays a role, with some committing lots of less serious crimes, while others commit few but serious crimes. There is likely a psychological difference between these two types of offenders.
What are the different types of criminals?
Age crime curve - peaks at 17 years of age and then rapidly decline.
Life-course persistent offenders. Small group of chronic offenders who commit a disproportionately large amount of crime (80% of crimes are committed by 20 percent of offenders).
What are the debates about psychology and crime?
Free will vs Determinism Nature vs Nurture Normal vs Pathological Driving forces vs restraining forces Person vs Situation
Why are these debates important?
there is an underlying tension between legal and psychological theories.
There is an assumption that the criminal knew what they were doing and that it was wrong.
Upbringing and circumstances influenced decision - ie it wasn’t calculated or intended.
the court needs to make a decision quickly
debates play out in real life.
Free will vs determinism
most people adhere to free will, however
most scientific theories are based on determinism - everything can be traced back to a psychological or environmental factor
Nature vs Nurture
Biological and environmental explanations. Genetics, pscyhophysiological processes, biochemical and neurological. Trauma, alcohol in utero, chid-rearing practices, family dynamics, school and peer experiences.
Normal vs pathological - Bad or Mad?
Medical model sees criminal behaviour as abnormal. there is something biological, psychological and behavioural that is in different in criminals vs non-criminals.
Other models see criminal behaviour as something that is learnt and motivated by the same basic needs as any other behaviour - pleasure and gain, normal or pathological is a value judgement as it is scientific
