Causes of crime Flashcards
(22 cards)
What are the 3 causes of crime?
Biological
Economic
Social
What are the biological causes of crime?
Brain Type
Gender
Genetics
What is brain type?
- Amygdala and Prefrontal Cortex are not developed
- People have different types
- They feel no empathy
Example of brain type
Aaron Campbell who killed 6 year old Alesha MacPhail on the Isle Of Bute was labelled a psychopath
What is gender?
- Men are more likely to commit crime than women
- Men are more aggressive
- Men have higher testosterone levels
Example of gender
Men commit 88% of all Scotland’s crimes and 96% violent crimes
What is genetics?
- Genes are passed making you more likely to become an offender
- People’s nature
- warrior gene
Example of genetics
BBC study found that those with the “warrior gene” are 13 times more likely to commit a violent crime
What are the economic causes of crime?
Unemployment
Poverty
Greed
What is unemployment?
Those who are unemployed may not be making enough money to afford a desired good therefore they may commit a crime to get money in order to afford it
Example of unemployment
Two thirds of prisoners were unemployed before entering prison and 17% had never had a job
What is poverty?
People who live in poverty may wish for desired goods for a better lifestyle therefore they may commit a crime to get the goods that they want
Example of poverty
Half of Scotland’s prisoners come from the poorest 10% of areas
What is greed?
White Collar criminals are people who have a professional or an office job and commit crimes
Example of greed
Former MP Natalie McGarry despite earning over £70,000 a year stole £20,000 that was meant for a food bank
What are the social causes of crime?
Peer Pressure
Alcohol and Drug misuse
Lack of education
What is peer pressure?
When people commit crimes in order to fit in with a crowd of people and are influenced by those around them
Example of peer pressure
3500 young people have joined 1 in the 170 gangs in Glasgow
What is drug and alcohol misuse?
When people are under the influence they lose sense of what is right and what is wrong and don’t know what they’re doing
Example of drug and alcohol misuse
50% of violent crimes have involved someone who is under the influence
What is lack of education?
Someone with no qualifications is more likely to commit a crime as they have no job and there is also a link between lack of education and crime
Example of lack of education
52% of men and 71% of women in prison have no qualifications
