Theories Of Crime Flashcards
Why is theory important
Allows us to classify & identify factors
Explains relationships
Helps identify prevention measures
Why are there multiple theories?
Complex interactions between a lot of factors means you need multiple theories
Neuropsychology
Defect - anatomical, biological, acquired
Can be inherited (link to genetics)
Twin studies - adoption studies
Predisposition to committing crimes
Environmental impacts (e.g. chemical)
- effects may be transitory or permanent (eg alcohol
Pros - some influence but other factors, could target biological deficits to reduce crime
Cons - incomplete understanding, not popular, difficult to isolate biological factors
Intelligence theory
Very low correlation btw intelligence and crime
Not a strong/significant factor
Must look at other factors (eg environ, beliefs, socio-economic
Rational choice theory
Balance benefits with costs
No real carefully considered
decisions (criticism)
It is a rational choice to the offender at the time (ie with different friends could make a different decision)
Attachment theory
John Bowlby - very influential theory
3 types of attachment
Secure, anti-resistant, avoidant-attachment
Insecure = assoc with delinquency, linked to aggression, dv, sexual violence, other crimes
Strong affectional bonds/ may not lead to delinquency
Importance of early life exp
Eysenck’s Biosocial Theory
- Genetics
XX female XY male
Considered XYY more aggressive (now defunct)
Twin studies - correlation for mono twins and crime (70% of time other twin will offend)
- lower for dizygotic twins
Eysenck’s Biosocial Theory
- Constitutional factors
Physical difference btw criminals and non criminals
Body types:
Endomorphs - delinquents
Ectomorphs
Mesomorphs - muscular, athletic, violent + aggressive
Eysenck’s Biosocial Theory
- Personality
3 components - all 3 in high levels signals possible criminality
Extraversion
Psychoticism (aggressive, cold, no empathy)
Neuroticism (high in anxiety + depression)
Argued prisoners would be low on neuroticisms but high on psychoticism
Social learning theory
Bandura (Bobo doll experiment)
Observational + modelling (takes place in family, subculture, cultural symbols)
Consequences + punishment are important to outcome
Motivations - external, vicarious, self
Main issue - oversimplistic, relies on people having no free will
Social construction of crime
Not as relevant to forensic psychology
Considers how phenomena can develop in a social context - varies over time and place
Relates to our experience and how we perceive it
Crime is socially constructed
