WEEK 2 Criminology Paradigm and Criminal Theory

Question 1

paradigm

Answer 1

is like a toolbox of ideas and methods for studying crime. Schools of thought are different approaches within this toolbox, each focusing on specific aspects of crime.

Question 2

1. Classical Paradigm

Answer 2

Era: 18th century
Principles:
Rationality
Free will
Morality knowing what is right or wrong
Pain-pleasure
Deterrence
Individual choice
Theories:
Rational choice
punishment will stop crime
you can Crime prevention
Opportunity
Application: Law, enforcement, punishment
Issues: Rationality assumption, neglects social factors, punishment debate and lack of systematic injustice and inequalities

Question 3

2. Positivist Paradigm:

Answer 3

Time: 19th century
Beliefs:
Behavior not fully under control
Causes: Biology, psychology, society
Focus on understanding criminals
Uses scientific methods
Predicts behavior
Theories:
Biosocial theories
Treatment:
Rehabilitation focus
Issues:
Ethical concerns
Neglects societal factors
Effectiveness of rehab questioned

Question 4

3. Interactionist Paradigm:

Answer 4

Key Idea:
Criminals are created through labeling and societal reactions.
Perspectives:
Looks at society’s view and the individual’s view.
Response:
Focuses on how society and the justice system respond.
Theories:
Includes theories like differential association, broken windows, and labeling theory.

Question 5

4. Critical Paradigm:

Answer 5

Perspectives: Draws from critical, conflict, and radical viewpoints.
Root Causes: Social structures and resulting inequality.
Social Conflict: Norms favor powerful; law used for control.
Radical Criminology: Capitalism fosters crime; focuses on power dynamics.
Impact: Examines differential treatment based on class, race, and gender.

Question 6

social structure vs social process

Answer 6

Social Structure:

Examines how society’s framework relates to crime.
Investigates why certain communities experience high crime rates.
Analyzes social factors influencing individual criminal behavior.
Considers societal features affecting crime rates in specific areas.
Social Process:

Explores how individuals are socialized.
Investigates how socialization can lead to criminality.
Focuses on the process by which individuals develop criminal behaviors.

Question 7

Concentric Zone Theory

Answer 7

Developed by Robert E. Park and Ernest W. Burgess

Question 8

Divided the city of Chicago into five concentric zones to study urban dynamics and crime rates.
Zones:

Answer 8

Central Business District: City’s main hub for businesses and commerce.
Transition Zone: Mix of residential, industrial, and commercial areas with social and economic instability.
Inner City/Working Class Zone: Older residential areas occupied by working-class families.
Residential Zone: Newer housing developments with middle and upper-class families.
Commuter Zone: Suburbs and rural areas where residents commute to the city for work.

Question 9

collective efficacy

Answer 9

To address social disorganization, collective efficacy, which combines informal social control and neighborhood cohesion, can reduce crime. It involves neighbors intervening to maintain public order without formal legal intervention, based on mutual trust and solidarity.

Question 10

Recap of Social Disorganisation

Answer 10

Social disorganization: Community can’t maintain values or control due to instability.
Factors: Residential instability, diversity, family disruptions.
Result: Lack of control fuels crime and deviance.
Breakdown: Social cohesion, common goals hinder organization and child supervision.
Impact: Disrupted institutions like schools, families shape communities.
Shaw and McKay: Disorganization leads to delinquent gangs passing on norms.
Effect: Crime perpetuated across generations.

Question 11

Policy Implications of Social Disorganization Theory:

Answer 11

Make things better like roads and buildings.
Make laws stronger to keep people safe.
Help people get along better in communities.
Help families with things they need.
Have police work closely with communities.
Get neighbors to watch out for each other.
Help people who need support more.
Encourage programs that help dads be good parents.

Question 12

Strain/Anomie Theory

Answer 12

by Robert K Merton
Economic success emphasis weakens norms.
“American Dream” focuses on wealth.
Over-prioritizing money undermines proper goal pursuit.
“Blocked opportunity” leads to crime.
Crime arises when goals can’t be achieved rightly.

Question 13

Merton’s five adaptations.

Answer 13

Conformity: Accepting goals and proper means.
Innovation: Pursuing goals through unauthorized means.
Ritualism: Giving up goals but sticking to accepted means.
Retreatism: (drop out) withdrawing from society, rejecting both goals and means.
Rebellion: Opposing societal goals and means, seeking change.

Question 14

General Strain Theory

Answer 14

by Robert Agnew
Builds on Merton’s theory, focusing on individual-level explanations.
Emphasizes the role of emotions in response to structural conditions and strain.
Defines strain as disliked events or conditions experienced by individuals.
Identifies three sources of strain:
Loss of positively valued stimuli, like losing a parent.
Aversive or negative treatment by others, such as living in a violent household or experiencing bullying.
Inability to achieve positively valued goals, such as economic success or good grades.

Question 15

Subjective Strain vs. Objective Strain

Answer 15

Objective strain: Disliked event or condition generally disliked by most people, like losing a parent.
Subjective strain: Disliked event or condition specifically disliked by the individual, such as conflicts with parents.
Vicarious strain: Strain experienced by others around the individual.
Statement: Subjective strain is more predictive of criminal behavior than objective strain.

Question 16

What are some strains that may lead to criminality?

Answer 16

Economic Hardship: Financial struggles can drive individuals to resort to theft or fraud.
Family Conflict: Dysfunctional relationships or abuse may prompt delinquent behavior.
Victimization: Experience of violence can lead to retaliatory criminal acts.

Question 17

Policy Implications of Anomie and Strain Theories:

Answer 17

Enhance Opportunities:

Improve education and job access.
Expand welfare support.
Increase Employment:

Create jobs and provide training.
Foster skill development.
Support Mental Health:

Invest in psychological services.
Promote resilience programs.
Strengthen Communities:

Build social support networks.
Implement local interventions.
Reduce Inequality:

Address systemic disparities.
Ensure equal opportunity access.

Question 18

Cloward and Ohlin’s Differential Opportunity Theory identifies three subcultures:

Answer 18

Criminal: Offers opportunities for organized crime.
Conflict: Emphasizes violence and gangs, common in socially disorganized areas.
Retreatist: Involves individuals resorting to substance abuse or withdrawal due to failure in both legitimate and illegitimate pursuits.

Question 19

Differential Association Theory (Sutherland):

Answer 19

People learn crime primarily through interactions in close personal groups.
Focuses on family, friends, and other intimate connections as main sources of criminal learning.

Question 20

Edwin Sutherland’s Nine Principles of Differential Association Theory

Answer 20

Crime is learned.
Crime is learned through communication.
Learning occurs within intimate groups.
Criminal techniques are learned.
Motives and drives are shaped by definitions of legal codes.
Delinquency arises from favorable definitions of crime.
Associations vary in frequency and intensity.
Learning mechanisms are similar to other forms of learning.
Criminal behavior is not solely determined by general needs and values.

Question 21

Ronald L. Akers’ Social Learning Theory:

Answer 21

Based on Sutherland’s theory.
Emphasizes social environment as key to reinforcement.
Focuses on modeling and reinforcement in shaping behavior.
Integrates concepts from behaviorism and social psychology.

Question 22

Ronald L. Akers’ Social Learning Theory: 4 concepts

Answer 22

Differential Association: Learning criminal behavior through group interactions.
Definitions: Developing attitudes toward crime based on experiences.
Differential Reinforcement: Behavior reinforced or punished, affecting future actions.
Imitation: Learning criminal behavior by observing and copying others.

Question 23

Control Theory, or Social Bond Theory by Travis Hirsch

Answer 23

Behavior is influenced by social bonds.
Individuals with strong bonds are less likely to commit crimes.
Bonds include attachment, commitment, involvement, and belief.
Lack of strong bonds increases likelihood of criminal behavior.

Question 24

Hirschi identified four elements of social bonds

Answer 24

Attachment: The emotional bond individuals have with others, such as family, friends, or community.
Commitment: The investment individuals have in conventional activities such as education, career, or personal goals.
Involvement: The extent of participation in conventional activities, which limits time and opportunity for deviant behavior.
Belief: The acceptance of societal norms and values, which constrains individuals from engaging in criminal acts.

Question 25

Labeling Theory

Answer 25

Focuses on societal reactions to individuals.
Suggests labeling can lead to deviant behavior.
Emphasizes social labels’ impact on identity.
Highlights self-fulfilling prophecies.
Considers power dynamics in labeling processes.