Criminology Flashcards
(28 cards)
The scientific approach to studying criminal behavior
Criminology
Classical criminology:
People possess the free will to commit crimes or to not.
The most serious crimes received the harshest punishment.
Severe, swift, and certain.
Studied the facial features of criminals to determine whether the shape of ears, nose, and eyes and the distance between them were associated with antisocial behavior.
Physiognomists
Studied the shape of the skull and bumps on the head to determine whether these physical attributes were linked to criminal behavior.
Phrenologists
A set of primitive traits that were inherited in criminals.
Criminals were born criminal
Atavistic anomalies
The view that people make rational choices when it comes to committing crime
Rational choice
Crimes are behaviors believed to be repugnant to all elements of society.
Consensus view
Depicts society as a collection of diverse groups who are always in conflict
Conflict view
Most reported crimes occur during the warm summer months of
July and August
Crime rates rise with
Temperature
Those who are unable to obtain desired goods and services through conventional means consequently resort to theft and other illegal activities.
Instrumental crimes
Crimes that show one’s rage, frustration, and anger
Expressive crimes
___________ people commit crime more than their older peers
Younger
As someone gets older, they are less likely to commit crime
Aging out
Lombroso theorized that a few “masculine” females were responsible for the handful of crimes women committed
Masculinity hypothesis
Female criminality is hidden because of the culture’s generally protective and benevolent attitude toward women.
Chivalry hypothesis
The traditionally low crime rate for women could be explained by their “second class” economic,if and social position
Liberal feminist theory
African Americans make up about 12% of the population, but account for ___% of part I violent crime arrests
40%
(Chronic offender) a person who repeatedly violates the law and organizes his or her lifestyle around criminality.
Career criminal
Characteristics that predict chronic offending:
School behavior/Performance factor
Family problem factor
Substance abuse factor
Delinquency factor
5 problems of crime victims:
Economic loss System abyss Long term stress Antisocial behavior Fear
When do violent crimes occur often?
Open public areas during daytime/early morning
Which gender is more likely to be the victims of violent crime?
Males
Who are females most often victimized by?
Someone they know