Intro to Criminal Behavior Flashcards
(35 cards)
Crime
Conduct or failure to act in violation of the law forbidding or commanding it, and for which a range of possible penalties exist upon conviction
Just-world hypothesis
A belief that things do not happen to people without a reason that is closely related to their own actions.
Theory verification
The process of theory testing
Falsification
When a theory is not verified or any of its propositions are not verified.
Model
A graphic representation of a theory or a concept, designed to enhance understanding.
Conformity Perspective
- Views humans as basically “good” and strongly influenced by values and attitudes of society
- Sociologist Robert K. Merton, Strain Theory
- Robert Agnew, General Strain Theory (GST)
Nonconformist Perspective
- Views humans as basically undisciplined with lack of self control
- Individual’s ties to social order are weak, and innate tendencies must be controlled by society
- Travis Hirschi, Social Control Theory
- Hirschi & Michael Gottfredson, General Theory of Crime (GTC); Also Self-Control Theory (SCT)
Learning Perspective
- Views humans as born neutral, behavior is learned through social interactions
- Changes over the life span affects behavior
- Edwin H. Sutherland, Differential Association Theory
- Rotter & Bandura, Social Learning Theory
- Developmental Criminology
Classical Theory (deterrence theory)
Emphasizes free will as the hallmark of human behavior; individuals are masters of their own fate, possessors of free will and freedom of choice.
Positivist Theory
Aligned with determinism; does not deny free will, but says it cannot be the major explanation for our behavior. Antecedents, prior experiences/influences, determine how we will act.
Strain Theory
- Robert K. Merton
- Humans are fundamentally conforming beings, strongly influenced by the values and attitudes of the society in which we live. Crime occurs when there is a perceived discrepancy between materialistic values of society and the availability of legitimate means to reach those goals.
General Strain Theory
- Robert Agnew/Robert K. Merton
- Redefined “strain” as also events and conditions that are disliked by individuals. Inability to achieve one’s goals, but also the loss of something or someone of value, being treated poorly by others, etc.
Social Control Theory
- Travis Hirschi
- Crime and delinquency occur when an individual’s ties to conventional order of things are weak or nonexistent.
- Crime happens when the socialization that holds one’s basic human nature in check is incomplete or faulty.
General Theory of Crime (GTC) / Self-Control Theory (SCT)
- Travis Hirschi / Michael Gottfredson
- A deficit of self-control or self-regulation is the key factor in explaining crime.
- Is one of the more prominent theories in criminology today.
Social Learning theory
- Edwin H. Sutherland
- Emphasizes the imitation of models and positive or negative reinforcement for one’s behavior
Differential Association Theory
- Edwin H. Sutherland
- Criminal behavior is learned through social interactions with other people.
- Not the result of emotional disturbance, mental illness, etc. People learn to be criminals.
Criminology
The multidisciplinary study of crime
Sociological Criminology
- Influences from sociology and anthropology
- examines relationships of demographic and group variables to crime
- Focuses on the structure of society and the culture of groups, and how these influence criminal behavior
Psychological Criminology
- Influences from psychology
- Focuses on individual criminal behavior, the science of the behavior, and emotional and mental processes of the criminal
Psychiatric Criminology
- Influences psychiatry
- contemporary perspective examines the interplay between psychobiological determinates of behavior and the social environment
- traditional perspectives look for the unconscious and biological determinates of criminal behavior.
Cognitive approach
An approach of psychological criminology that focuses on the criminal’s cognitions - attitudes, beliefs, values, and thoughts that are held about the social environment, interrelations, human nature, and themselves. Cognitions are often distorted in serious repeat offenders.
Biological/neurological approach
An approach of psychological criminology focuses on the links between biology and human behavior. Studies the abnormality of the brain, deficits, traumatic brain injury, etc. and its affect of individuals behavior.
Developmental approach
An approach of psychological criminology that examines the changes and influences across a person’s lifetime that may contribute to the formation of antisocial and criminal behavior.
Trait approach
An approach of psychological criminology focuses on the traits or personality patterns that underly criminal behavior. A trait or disposition is a relatively stable and enduring tendency to behave in a particular way.
