Kategorier: Alla - biological - crime

av Christian Kennedy för 17 årar sedan

1953

What influences crime?

The analysis of crime causation involves various theories that emphasize different factors contributing to criminal behavior. Cesare Lombroso's Atavism Theory posits that individuals who are less '

What  influences  crime?

What influences crime?

Classical Theory

Free Will Theory

Theorist: Cesare Beccaria

Crime is the result of free will.

Punishment must be just strong enough to deter: no Death Penalty.

Rational Choice Theory

Theorist: Cohen and Felson

Crime is the result of conscious choice.

The benefits outweigh the costs.

Hedonistic Calculus Theory

Theorist: Jerry Bentham

Crime will be avoided if the benefit is outmatched by the consequences.

Punishment must be 'swift and certain' to work.

Key Word = Deterrence

Liberal Theory

Sociological Theory
stress

Differential Opportunity Theory

Theorist: Cloward and Ohlin

Gangs form for economic opportunity.

x Criminal Gang

x Conflict Gang

x Retreatist Gang

Anomie Theory

Theorist: Emile Durkheim, Merton

A social crisis causes people to adopt criminal values.

Strain Theory

Theorist: Cohen, Cloward and Ohlin, Agnew, Messner and Rosenfeld

Social Structures in society may cause criminal behavior if they do not satisfy the needs of the people.

social class

Radical Crime Theory

Theorist: Turk, Void, Chambliss

A big gap between the rich and the poor results in crime. The rich control gov't and rules, and try to keep the poor down. (Cheap Crack Cocaine + Meth punishments.)

Middle Class Measuring Rod Theory

Theorist: Albert Cohen

Middle class has higher values, like respect, planning for the future, etc. If they don't think they can measure up to society, they do the opposite and get involved with crime.

Lower Class Focal Concern Theory

Theorist: Miller

Lower class has lower class concerns. Those desires lead to crime. (Tough 'reps', being street smart).

family/peers

Differential Association Theory

Theorist: Sutherland

Criminal methods and motives are learned from peers.

Criminal Family Theory

Theorist: Dugdale

If your family has a criminal history, you're likely to have one, too.

Social Learning Theory

Theorist: Burgess and Akers

Former offenders, who were led in by Differential Association, think about what happened in the past and decided if a crime is worth doing.

relationships

Labeling Theory

Theorist: Edwin Lemert

Secondary deviance explained only.

Once given a 'label' people will live up to it.

Social Control Theory

Theorist: Travis Hirschi

People don't commit crimes if they're bonded to society in a meaningful way.

Attachment to others,

Committment to a positive lifestyle,

Involvement in positive activity,

Belief in common values.

Those without are more likely to get involved in criminal activity.

Where you live

Broken Window Theory

Theorist: None in particular

Research done in the 1980's.

Graffiti-covered and run-down buildings leads to more graffiti and destruction due to a perceived vulnerability.

CPTED was created--Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design.

Chicago School Theory

Theorist: Shaw and McKay; Park and Burgess

Research done in the 1920's.

The enivironment shapes your behavior.

1.) The central business district (Businesses)

2.) Trasitional Zone (Factories)

3.) Working Class Zone (Cheap apartments)

4.) Residential Zone (Homes with yards + garages)

5.) Commuter Zone (Fancy houses/suburbs.)

1 is the worst, 5 the best.

The closer you are to the business district = more crime.

Biological Theory
Somatotypes Theory

Theorist: William Sheldon

People are of three body types: Ectomorphic, Mesomorphic, and Endomorphic. Most are a combination. Certain traits and criminal behaviors can be attributed to each type.

Physically, Endomorphs have:

x a soft body

x underdeveloped muscles

x round shaped features

x an over-developed digestive system

Mentally, Endomorphs:

x have a love of food

x are tolerant

x have evenness of emotions

x have a love of comfort

x are sociable

x are good humored

x are relaxed

x have a need for affection

Physically, Mesomorphs have:

x a hard, muscular body

x an overly mature appearance

x rectangular-shaped features

x thick skin

x upright posture

Mentally, Mesomorphs:

x are adventurous

x have a desire for power and dominance

x are courageous

x are indifferent to what others think or want

x are assertive and bold

x have a zest for physical activity

x are competitive

x have a love of risk and chance

Physically, Ectomorphs have:

x thin bodies

x a flat chest

x a delicate build

x a young appearance

x tall bodies

x lightly muscled bodies

x stoop-shouldered posture

x a large brain

Mentally, Ectomorphs:

x are self-conscious

x have a preference for privacy

x are introverted

x are inhibited

x are socially anxious

x are artistic

x are mentally intense

x are emotionally restrained

Phrenology Theory

Theorist: Gall

If a person's skull is malformed, the contents must be damaged. If the brain is abnormal, then the person is more likely to commit a crime.

XYY Defect Theory

Theorist: Patricia Jacobs

Supermales (men with XYY chromosomes) have a higher chance of committing crimes.

IQ Theory

Theorist: Binet

If you're lacking in judgment, young in mind but mature in body, or 'feebleminded', then you're more likely to commit a crime.

Atavism Theory

Theorist: Cesare Lombroso

Those less 'evolved' are more likely to commit crimes.

The physical features display just how 'evolved' someone is.

Psychological Theory
Psychoanalysis Theory

Theorist: Sigmund Freud

Id - Source of desires

Ego - creates options for satisfying the id

Superego - 'conscience' that decides right from wrong

Three criminal possibilities:

Weak Superego (too lazy to tell right from wrong)

Sublimation (hate mother, so kill other women [substitution])

Thanatos (everyone wants to die)

Psychopathology Theory

Theorist: Cleckley

A psychopath is more likely to commit crime.

Moral Development Theory

Theorist: Lawrence Kohlberg

Six identifyable stages:

Pre-Conventional

x Obedience and Punishment Orientation (How can I avoid punishment?)

x Self-Interest Orientation (What's in it for me?)

Conventional

x Interpersonal Accord and Conformity ("Good boys don't do that.")

x Authority and Social-Order Maintaining Orientation (Follow laws for a good society)

Post Conventional

x Social Contract Orientation (What is best for the majority?)

x Universal Ethical Principles (In someone else's shoes)

Some adults get stuck at the lower levels and can't tell right from wrong.