AC4.1 - use of criminological theories in informing policy development

Question 1

What are policies influenced by biological theories (biochemical and genetic)

Answer 1

Biochemical processes:
Drug treatments for alcohol abuse
Drug treatments for heroin addiction
Drug treatments for sex offenders
Drug treatments used in prison
Diet modification
Surgical castration
Lobotomy

Genetic
Compulsory sterilisation
Racial purity policies

Question 2

Drug treatments for alcohol abuse strength and weaknesses

Answer 2

Alcohol deterrent- antable
Aversion therapy- causes very unpleasant hangover symptoms if you consume smallest quantity of alcohol
Strength- removes root cause that is alcohol
Weakness- people wont continue to take it

Question 3

Drug treatments for heroin addiction strengths and weaknesses

Answer 3

Methadone- legally, medically controlled substitute for heroin
Strength- reduce heroin associated crime
Weakness- might end up taking both or become addicted to methadone

Question 4

Drug treatments for sex offenders strengths and weaknesses

Answer 4

Stillbestrol- female sex hormone that is a form of chemical castration that suppresses testosterone and reduces sex drive
Strength- reduces reoffending by incapacitating offender
Weakness- often offender will still crave power that they then gain from other crime

Question 5

Drug treatments used in prison strengths and weaknesses

Answer 5

Sedatives and tranqulaisers e.g. valium that keeps prisoners calm and manages behaviour
Strength- reduces aggresion therefore increasing rational thought which protects staff
Weakness- Overreliance has side effects

Question 6

Diet modification strength and weakness

Answer 6

Daily vitamin or essential fatty acid supplement reduces violent incidents
Schoenthaler- reduced sugar reduced anti-social behaviour by 48%
Strength- non- invasive
Weakness- dietry requirements and doesnt account for other factors

Question 7

Surgical castration strength and weakness

Answer 7

Used in past in some countries for sex offenders
Stength- permanent
Weakness- goes against rehabilitation and they can commit other crime

Question 8

Lobotomy strength and weakness

Answer 8

Cuttinting connection between frontal lobe of brain and the thalamus
Strength- makes patient more docile and less emotional
Weakness- human rights violation and can cause irreversible brain damage

Question 9

Tear gas strength and weakness

Answer 9

Chemical substances such as tear gas are used to deal with public order offences because they cause disorientation and sickness creating distraction
Strength- causes rapid crowd dispersal and is non lethal
Weakness- it can provoke anger and escalate the situation

Question 10

Compulsory sterilisation strength and weakness

Answer 10

Carrie Buck was a young woman who was institutionalized in the 1920s after being raped by her foster family’s nephew and becoming pregnant. Instead of helping her, the family claimed she was mentally unfit. Her mother, Emma Buck, had also been institutionalized, and the state used both women as examples of a “bad” bloodline. This led to the Supreme Court case Buck v. Bell, which allowed the forced sterilization of people seen as unfit to have children.
Weakness- The case was based on false science and prejudice, and it led to thousands of people—mostly poor, disabled, or from minority groups—being sterilized as a way to supposedly prevent crime and social problems.
Strength- prevent transmission of genetic conditions

Question 11

Racial purity policies strength and weakness

Answer 11

Breeding out specific ethnicities/ religion/ disability
Eugenicists were obsessed with the fear human race was degenerating because the poor were breeding at a faster rate therefore passing down inferior genes
Strength- lowering social burden
Weakness- discrimination and abuse is unethical

Question 12

What are policies influenced by individualistic theories

Answer 12

Psychoanalysis, early intervention and institutios- Freud
Operant learning- token economies
Eysencks- aversion therapy
Cognitive- CBT

Question 13

Psychoanalysis- How does Freud use psychoanalysis to reduce deviance

Answer 13

If offenders can bring their unconscious motives for acting out and committing crime to the surface they can bring out positive emotions too
Id impulses- allows access to understand the unconscious motives that may be influencing the persons criminal behaviour
Techniques involve hypnosis, free association and dream analysis

Question 14

Psychoanalysis strengths and weaknesses

Answer 14

Strength- starting point for more effective methods, CBT
Weakness- patient could discover painful repressed memories, people might lie for social desirability

Question 15

Operant learning- how are token economies used to reduce offending

Answer 15

Token economy- token given for desired actions and can be exchanged for goods or prisoners that follow rules can ear privileges “earned privilege scheme” so prisoners might be able to get visits or spend money
Reinforced behaviours are strengthened through reward
Unwanted behaviour is weakened through punishment

Question 16

Token economy strengths and weaknesses

Answer 16

Strength- clear definition of what constitutes good behaviour as is consistent, maked prisoners more manageable
Fo and O’Donell Buddy system- uses an adult volunteer to buddy with a young offender to offer continuous reinforcement of what is sociallt acceptable hoping to dissuade them from engaging in criminal behaviour again

Weakness- Impact is short term as when people are released from prison rewards stop
Doesn’t work if prisoners get greater reward/punishment from other inmates

Question 17

Eysencks theory- How aversion therapy is used to reduce offending behaviour

Answer 17

Eysencks theory- criminals tend to be strongly extrovert and neurotic which makes them harder to condition because they are more resistant so need stronger punishment
Offender asked to think about unacceptable sexual fantasy until aroused
Given adverse stimulus e.g. electric shock
Procedure repeated until offender associates deviant arousal with stimulus
Aim to stop thoughts and therefore reoffending behaviour

Question 18

Aversion therpay strengths and weaknesses

Answer 18

Strength- More severe so might only be effective punishment for those with high neuroticism
Weakness- short term, use in past has been controversial e.g. as cure for gay people

Question 19

Pyschodynamic theory- early childhood intervention

Answer 19

Informal policies that attempt to influence the early childhood relationships between parents and children
PDT argues personality is formed in early childhood
e.g. NHS health visitors, Sure start centres

Question 20

Strengths and weaknesses of early childhood interventions

Answer 20

Strength- long lasting- preventative
Weakness- mothers will cover up issues to seem better, doesnt account for experiences later in life

Question 21

Aichhorns applied pyschoanalytical ideas for treating young offenders at the institution he supervised

Answer 21

Many YO had uncaring/absent parents and had failed to develop lovinf relationships
Normal socialisation had not taken place therefore they had weak super egos
Young offenders institutions should not have a harm regime but should try to create a happy environment that could strengthen development of the super ego

Question 22

Strengths and weaknesses of Aichhorn

Answer 22

Strengths- mututal respect for authority, teaches them how to be a good citizen which reduces reoffending, support may help them tackle issues that have lead to offending

Weakness- might not take punishment seriously, cause of crime might be biological, not acting as a deterrent but instead makes punishment seen appealing, no justice for victims

Question 23

Cognitive therapies- how CBT is used to reduce offending behaviour

Answer 23

Therapists will work with you to challenge any irrational thoughts
Teaches problem solving snd consequentialist thinking and looking at issues from others POV
Includes moral reasoning training
Link to cognitive explanations of crime e.g. offender giving themself victim status

Question 24

CBT strength and weakness

Answer 24

Strength- most commong therpay used, tackles underlying cause so will be long term
Weakness- most people struggle because the therapist challenges everything they say so people wont continue

Question 25

What are sociological theories that influenced policy

Answer 25

Merton and subcultural theories Labelling theory Right realism Left realism Surveillance

Question 26

Policies influenced by functionalist/subcultural theory

Answer 26

Universal credit Housing benefits Equal opportunities for protected characteristics in school Access arrangements in schools for support Education in prison

Question 27

What is universal credit how does it link to strain ot subcultural theories and was it effective

Answer 27

Universal credit is a social security benefit system in the UK to support individuals who are unemployed or on low incomes Mertons strain theory says crime occurs when people are unable to achieve societal goods through legitimate means creating frustration so people resort to crime. UC relieves financial strain and stress. Provides people with access to legitimate means so addresses financial barriers reducing likelihood of turning to subcultures that promotes criminality

Question 28

What are housing benefits how does it link to strain or subcultural theories and was it effective

Answer 28

Housing benefits are a social security benefit in the UK that is intended to help meet housing costs for rented accommodation By reducing the strain caused by poverty and housing insecurity, benefits can prevent people from feeling forced to use illegitimate means Strengths- Helped millions avoid homelessness and poverty Weakness- Often not enough to cover full housing costs in high-rent areas.

Question 29

What are equal opportunity policies in schools related to protected characteristics how does it link to strain or subcultural theories and was it effective

Answer 29

Equal Opportunity Policies in Schools are designed to ensure that all students—regardless of background—have fair access to education and are protected from discrimination. Equal opportunity policies aim to reduce marginalization and promote inclusion, lowering the chances that students will feel alienated enough to reject mainstream school values or join deviant peer groups. Strength- promote inclusivity and diversity Weakness- poor enforcement means lacking implement of policies

Question 30

What are access arrangements in schools for exams/ lesson support and how does it link to strain or subcultural theories and was it effective

Answer 30

Access arrangement refers to support measures to student during exams or support to ensure fair education, typically offered to SEN students. Subcultural theories argue that when students are unable to succeed in mainstream education, they may form delinquent subcultures with alternative values (e.g., rejecting academic achievement). Strength- improves academic performance Weakness- Student may feel singled out which impacts self esteem

Question 31

What is education in prison and how does it link to strain or subcultural theories and was it effective

Answer 31

Prisons can reinforce criminal subcultures, but education can challenge these values, encouraging pro-social norms. Strength- Improves employability post-release, self-esteem, critical thinking, and mental well-being. Weakness- Access is unequal or limited (waiting lists, funding cuts).

Question 32

What are the surveillance policies

Answer 32

CCTV Criminal profiling

Question 33

What is CCTV, how does it link to surveillance and explain effectiveness

Answer 33

CCTV (closed circuit television) includes digital systems and body cameras. Acts as a tool for monitoring public and private spaces Surveillance is where behaviour is monitored e.g. through CCTV Foucault argued that surveillance causes people to internalize control—they behave as if they are always being watched, even if they're not. Strength- discourages criminal behaviour as knowing they are being recorded increases risk or detection and prosecution Used as evidence in criminal investigation Weakness- can be easily avoided

Question 34

What is criminal profiling, how does it link to surveillance and explain effectiveness

Answer 34

Criminal profiling is creating a psychological and behavioural profile of a criminal based on analysis of crime scenes, victomology and other evidence Criminal profiling helps in strategic placement of monitoring resources and identification of potential crime Strength- identifying criminal behavioural patterns helps find nature of crime and allows predictions Weakness- subjective and reinforces biases

Question 35

Policies influenced by labelling theory

Answer 35

Diversion policies Decriminalisation of minor offences Disintegrative shaming/ reintegrative shaming Restorative justice

Question 36

What are diversion policies, how does it link to labelling theory and explain effectiveness

Answer 36

Diversion policies are strategies designed to redirect individuals from criminal procedures and into rehabilitative measures Labelling theory (Becker, Lemert) argues that once someone is officially labelled as a "criminal" or "deviant," they are more likely to internalise that identity and be treated differently by society—this can lead to a self-fulfilling prophecy. Diversion policies aim to break this cycle by: Avoiding formal labels like "offender" or "criminal" Preventing entry into the criminal justice system where stigma and deviant identities are reinforced Encouraging reintegration and treating the act, not the person, as the problem Strength- reduces reoffending Weakness- not long term

Question 37

What are decriminalisation of minor offences how does it link to labelling theory and explain effectiveness

Answer 37

Decriminalisation avoids attaching the “criminal” label for minor acts Strength- Reduces criminal records and long-term harm for minor offenders Weakness- May be viewed as encouraging bad behaviour if not paired with education or intervention

Question 38

What is disintegrative/ reintegrative shaming, how does it link to labelling theory and explain effectiveness

Answer 38

Disintegrative Shaming- Stigmatizes the individual, labelling them as a "bad person" rather than focusing on the act. Reintegrative shaming- Focuses on condemning the act, not the person. Disintegrative shaming encouragrs self-fufilling prophecy- it reinforces negative labels and can lead to secondary deviance. Reintegrative shaming counters it—it avoids permanent labelling, allowing individuals to move past their mistakes and rejoin society. Strength- Encourages rehabilitation and reduces reoffending. Weakness- Increases stigma, alienation, and likelihood of further crime.

Question 39

What is restorative justice, how does it link to labelling theory and explain effectiveness

Answer 39

Restorative justice- system of criminal justice that focuses on rehabilitation of offenders through reconciliation with victims Restorative justice links to labelling theory by aiming to: Avoid or reduce negative labels: Rather than labeling the offender as a “criminal,” restorative justice focuses on the act and provides an opportunity for the offender to be reintegrated into society without the permanent stigma. Strength- victim satisfaction and repairing harm Weakness- not suitable for all crimes and potential for offender manipulation

Question 40

Policies influenced by right realism

Answer 40

Situational crime prevention Environmental crime prevention Zero tolerance policing

Question 41

What is situational crime prevention, how does it link to right realism and explain effectiveness

Answer 41

Situational crime prevention is a strategy aimed at reducing opportunities for crime by focusing on setting where crime occurs Like right realism, SCP focuses on practical, short-term strategies to reduce crime rates by modifying environments to reduce criminal opportunities. Strength- reduces crime opportunity Weakness- Certain areas may become overly controlled or monitored, leading to a sense of social division or alienation in communities

Question 42

What is environmental crime prevention, how does it link to right realism and explain effectiveness

Answer 42

Environmental crime prevention focuses on modifying the physical environment to reduce opportunities for crime and enhance safety Right realism often incorporates the broken windows theory, which suggests that small signs of disorder, like graffiti or litter, can lead to an increase in serious crime Strength- Increases public safety and quality of life Weakness- Similar to other crime prevention strategies, crime may be displaced to areas without the same environmental improvements.

Question 43

What is zero tolerance policing, how does it link to right realism and explain effectiveness

Answer 43

Zero tolerance policy is strict enforcement of laws, focusing on minor offenses and disorderly behaviors Right realism is a theory of crime that focuses on practical crime control, individual responsibility, and the idea that crime is a result of rational choices made by individuals. It emphasizes deterrence through punishment and the need for a tougher approach to crime, particularly in urban areas. Strength- Immediate reduction in visible crime Weakness- Over-policing of marginalized communities

Question 44

Policies influenced by left realism

Answer 44

Police and community together (PACT) Housing and workplace equality policies Multi- agency policies Democratic policing

Question 45

What is PACT, how does it link to left realism and explain effectiveness

Answer 45

PACT is a strategy that aims to involve local residents and agencies in the decision-making process around crime prevention and public safety Left realism emphasizes the importance of involving communities in crime prevention and crime reduction, recognizing that people in disadvantaged communities often experience crime as a direct result of social and economic inequality. Strength- community engagement leads to empowerment Weakness- varying levels of engagement

Question 46

What are housing and workplace equality policies, how does it link to left realism and explain effectiveness

Answer 46

Housing and workplace equality policies are initiatives designed to reduce discrimination and promote equality in access to housing and employment opportunities. Left realism stresses that crime is often a response to economic disadvantage and social exclusion. Housing and workplace equality policies are efforts to reduce these structural inequalities Strength- Reduction in Poverty and Social Exclusion Weakness- depends heavily on implementation

Question 47

What are multi-agency policies, how does it link to left realism and explain effectiveness

Answer 47

Multi-agency policies refer to collaborative approaches where multiple organizations or agencies work together to address complex social issues, including crime, social welfare, and public health. Left realism argues that crime often stems from structural inequalities, including poverty, lack of access to education, poor housing, and social exclusion. Multi-agency policies aim to address these root causes by bringing together various organizations Strength- Tailored Local Solutions Weakness- Over-Reliance on Voluntary Participation

Question 48

What is democratic policing, how does it link to left realism and explain effectiveness

Answer 48

Democratic policing refers to a model of law enforcement that emphasizes the accountability of police to the communities they serve, ensuring that policing practices align with democratic principles, such as transparency, citizen participation, and respect for human rights. Left realists argue that crime is often a result of structural inequalities. Democratic policing acknowledges this by promoting non-discriminatory practices and working to ensure that policing is not biased against marginalized communities. Strength- Building Trust Between Police and Community Weakness- Resistance from Law Enforcement