WEEK 2 Flashcards
(31 cards)
What is a theory?
A theory attempts to explain something or describe its causes. It helps us understand and explain events around us and is grounded in scientific research.
Why are theories practical?
They identify causes to create solutions for social issues.
How were early criminological theories flawed regarding gender?
Most early theories were ‘gender blind,’ meaning they did not consider gender differences.
What is Lombroso’s Positivist Criminology theory?
Lombroso believed criminals were less evolved than others and explained criminality through biological traits like big teeth, lips, and cheeks.
What were Lombroso and Ferro’s (1898) two types of women?
They categorized women as either law-abiding, civilized women or bad, primitive, and masculine-looking women.
What were the flaws in Lombroso and Ferro’s research?
They only studied people on death row or in prison, ignored control groups, and did not consider social, political, economic, or cultural factors.
How does the feminine/masculine narrative persist in media?
Movies like Monsters and Disney films portray masculine-looking women as villains (e.g., Ursula in The Little Mermaid), reinforcing gendered stereotypes of good and bad.
What did Pollak believe about female crime?
He claimed women commit crimes as frequently as men but are better at hiding them due to biological traits.
What is the Dual Focus Theory?
Pollak suggested women can hide crimes more effectively, similar to how they can hide orgasms or menstruation.
How does chivalry in the CJS relate to Pollak’s theory?
Criminal justice personnel may be lenient toward female offenders due to paternalistic views that women need protection.
What are the criticisms of Pollak’s theory?
It lacks evidence, ignores broader psychological and environmental factors, and overlooks the negative side of chivalry (women being perceived more negatively).
How did Alder and Simon shift the study of female criminality?
Women began conducting research, leading to a focus on gender and crime.
What did they argue about women’s crime rates in the 1960s/70s?
They believed women’s crime rates increased due to greater economic and social independence and opportunities.
What are the issues with Liberation Theories?
There was a lack of evidence of a women’s crime wave, issues with data, and increased punitive societal responses.
What is Hagan’s Power Control Theory (1989)?
It links variations in social and parental control to children’s delinquent behavior, suggesting family power dynamics reflect broader social structures.
How do family structures influence crime rates according to Hagan?
More egalitarian families have similar crime rates between boys and girls, whereas patriarchal families show greater differences.
What are the criticisms of Power Control Theory?
It assumes that working outside the home equates to equal power within the home and does not account for single-parent or non-heteronormative family structures.
What is feminism in simple terms?
The belief that men and women are different, treated differently in society, and that women face systemic barriers preventing full participation in social institutions.
What is feminist research?
Research committed to social equality, addressing systemic disadvantages related to gender, ethnicity, race, sexual orientation, and class.
How has feminist research impacted the Canadian criminal justice system (CJS)?
It led to changes in the Criminal Code, such as the 1983 reform allowing all people (not just men) to be charged with sexual assault.
How did feminist legal reforms also benefit men?
Previously, men were exempt from certain charges, and feminism pushed for legal equality.
What is the difference between sex and gender?
Sex is biologically determined, while gender is a social construct.
Why are most differences between men and women based on gender roles rather than biology?
Gender roles are socially assigned, while biological differences do not inherently dictate behavior.
What is Social Feminism?
A mix of Marxism and Radical Feminism that analyzes crime and social issues through capitalism (class) and patriarchy (gender).
