Crime And Law Flashcards
(27 cards)
Explain the Marxist theory
Argues that our capitalist system creates an unequal society split between the rich and the poor
Provide evidence that there is a link between poverty and crime
13% of the population have never had a job compared to 4% of the general population
Glasgow has the highest rate of poverty and the highest crime rates per 100,000
The prison reform trust found 38% of women prisoners committed their crime to support their children
Explain Merton’s strain theory
He believes when people are unable to achieve the cultural goal of a society I.e not being able to afford the newest phone, w abuse they don’t have enough education or don’t earn enough it puts strain on an individual. To relieve this strain individuals cause crime
What percent of rioters were on free school meals compared to the general population during 2011 London riots
42% compared to 16% of the general population
Explain why poverty DOES NOT cause crime
Many people experience strain of poverty but does not commit crime. People cleared up after London riots rather than looting
Lack of money can’t explain why crimes such as rape and murder where there is no financial benefit
Many people who earn good salaries commit crime E.g Sean Adams bank fraud
Why is there more poor people in prison ?
Give a statistic
They are criminalised and targeted more by police and sentencing.
Children in deprived areas were 2x more likely to face police action than better off children who commit the same crime
Explain the biological cause of crime - psychopaths
There are biological differences in the brains of psychopaths compared to the general population. This makes them manipulative and less like to feel guilt which can make them commit crimes. For example Aaron Campbell, murdered Ailsha MacPhail showed no remorse or empathy and doctors have warned that he will not be safe to be released from prison.
Explain the MAOA gene
The “warrior gene” is linked to antisocial behaviour including impulsive aggression. This means people with this gene are at greater risk of violent behaviour leading to crimes such as murder and assault.
E- study in Finland found that people with the genes were 13 x more likely to have a history of repeated violent behaviour
Biological cause of crime - Male Testosterone
Activates the subcortical areas of the brain to produce aggression. This can increase their risk-taking behaviour making men more likely to get involved in violent assaults. Testosterone levels are higher in prisoners who have committed violent crimes. 90% of prisoners in Scotland are male
Explain the individualist theory
Everybody has a free choice whether to commit a crime or not. Hobbes belief is that human nature explains crime; we are all essentially selfish and will break the law of given the chance. Strict punishments are the best way to reduce crime as people won’t risk it i.e knife crime reduced in Scotland following zero tolerance on carrying and higher prison sentences.
Explain the flaw of the individualist theory
During the London riots there were many people who had the opportunity to commit crime and loot but they didn’t, in fact they assisted cleaning up. This shows that the individualist theory is flawed, even when given the opportunity to commit crime, some peoples moral code prevent them
How does the way you are brought up influence your criminal behaviour
As peoples moral codes are generally made up by the way they’ve been brought up and nurtured it reinforces the importance of the environment someone lives in, E.g a 2012 study by Cambridge University found that teenagers who avoided crime did not because they feared the consequences or laced the chance, but because they saw it was wrong
Causes of crime - Alcohol
How many alcohol related violent crimes took place in Scotland in 2017
Over 100,000
How many prisoners reported being drunk during their offence. How much does this rise by in young offenders
41%… 60%
How does alcohol and drugs influence peoples crimes
Those who are addicted to drugs or alcohol they may be forced to commit crime, such as mugging or burglary to get money in order to pay for their next ‘hit’. Again the SCJS supports the link between substance abuse and crime as 3/4 of male prisoners in Scotland have an alcohol use disorder
Lack of Education -
What % of male prisoners were excluded from school compared to the general population
49%…. 2%
How many times more likely is a pupil who is excluded at 12 to end up in prison
4 times more likely
Evidence against why lack of education isn’t an important cause of crime
A sainsburys IT manager stole millions of Nectar points after finding a loophole in the system was jailed for 20 months
After the London riots in 2011 some of those who were caught and prosecuted had professional qualifications some in teaching
13% of people in prison have never had a job, only 4% of the population have never worked
Social causes - ACE
The most common ACE’S
Abuse - physical, verbal, sexual
Neglect - Physical and Emotional
Household adversities - mental illness, incarcerated relative, domestic violence, parental separation and substance abuse
What did a survey of prisoners in as report related to ACE’s
Reported high rates of childhood abuse, family violence and school exclusion. Studies show that children who experience 4 or more ACE’s are 20x more likely to end up in prison
Why does living in these Conditions effect children
The stress of living in these conditions disrupts healthy brain development and these children develop behavioural and emotional problems
What is the impact of this in adulthood ?
They are more likely to behave in risk taking, lack of self control and game left in criminal behaviour
Impact or crime on wider communities - Social
Explain why a bad reputation can impact a local community
X3 stats
From the actions of a very small group of offenders a local area can gain a bad reputation if there is too much violent crime.
For example - some parts of Glasgow have a reputation for violent gang crime e.g Easterhouse or Dalmarock in Glasgow
Glasgow has the reputation for being the UK’s most violent and criminal city according to the UK Peace Index.
Glasgow has 2.7 murders per 100,000 people compared to London with 1.67 per 100,000
Economy - what are the effects of the economy
If people don’t want to live in a certain area then house prices will drop, insurance around the area becomes more expensive as there is more chance of damage to be done.
New businesses may avoid the area due to higher insurance premiums for being in a high crime area. Existing businesses may close down due to the ongoing repetition of crimes such as burglary, vandalism and due to a result of poverty people who live there have less money to spend.
