Topic One: Introduction to Criminal Behaviour; Values and the Study of Crime; Crime Statistics

Question 1

What is crime?

Answer 1

Illegal conduct or omission, subject to various penalties upon conviction.

Question 2

Define criminal behaviour

Answer 2

behaviour in violation of the criminal code.

Question 3

To be convicted of crime,

Answer 3

a person must have acted intentionally and without justification or excuse.

Question 4

What are strict liability offenses?

Answer 4

those which do not require criminal intent, for example death resulting from a failure to provide a safe workplace.

Question 5

What is criminology

Answer 5

the scientific study of crime.

Question 6

Explain “just-worlders”

Answer 6

events do not occur in people’s lives without a cause that is directly linked to their own actions. for example, you are responsible for your own action therefore cause of consequences.

Question 7

What are the beliefs of just-worlders about crime?

Answer 7

Perpetrators Deserve Punishment
Victims Are Partially Responsible
Actions and Consequences Are Linked

Question 8

Explain belief in a personal just-world

Answer 8

“I usually get what I deserve”
self reflective

Question 9

Explain belief in a general just-world

Answer 9

linked to reduced compassion and derogation of crime victims

Question 10

classical (theory) view of crime

Answer 10

decision to violate the law is largely a result of FREE WILL

Question 11

positivist or deterministic perspective argues

Answer 11

most criminal behaviour is a result of:
social,
psychological,
and even biological influences (beyond individual control)

Question 12

The conformity perspective of human behaviour posits:

Answer 12

humans are inherently good and typically strive to act in a right and just manner

Question 13

The nonconformist perspective of human behaviour asserts:

Answer 13

humans attempt to engage in any behaviour they can, including illegal activities, unless constrained by social controls.

Question 14

The learning perspective of human behaviour proposes:

Answer 14

that humans are born neutral, behaviour shaped by a blank slate. Their development as individuals is determined by their learning experiences rather than inherent predispositions.

Question 15

Example of learning perspective of human behaviour

Answer 15

a child’s development into a law-abiding citizen or a criminal depends on the values, education, and experiences they encounter throughout their life. (social learning theory & and the differential association theory)

Question 16

Example of nonconformist perspective of human behaviour

Answer 16

in the absence of laws, people might steal or harm others to gain resources. (SOCIAL CONTROL THEORY)

Question 17

Example of conformity perspective of human behaviour

Answer 17

a child raised in a nurturing and supportive environment is likely to develop positive moral qualities and engage in prosocial behaviour. (STRAIN THEORY)

Question 18

Developmental criminologists identify

Answer 18

risk factors to be addressed and protective factors to be encouraged

Question 19

influence and focus of psychological criminology

Answer 19

THINKING
* Influence: Psychology
* Focus: Individual-level analysis of criminal behaviour.
* Scope: Examines the psychological processes, including emotions, thoughts, and mental health, that influence criminal actions.

Question 20

influence and focus of sociological criminology

Answer 20

ENVIRONMENT
* Influence: Sociology & Anthropology
* Focus: Societal and group-level analysis of crime.
* Scope: Investigates how social structures, cultural norms, and group dynamics influence crime rates and types of criminal behaviour.
Example: Examining how socioeconomic status, race, and community disorganization contribute to crime.

Question 21

influence and focus of psychiatric criminology

Answer 21

MENTAL HEALTH
* Influence: Psychiatry
* Focus: Medical and biological aspects of criminal behaviour.
* Scope: Looks at how mental health disorders, brain abnormalities, and neurological issues influence criminal actions.
Example: Diagnosing and treating a criminal offender with a personality disorder or schizophrenia to reduce criminal tendencies.

Question 22

A _________________ approach examines the changes and influences across a person’s lifetime that may contribute to the formation of antisocial and criminal behaviour.

Answer 22

developmental

Question 23

The __________________ approach often focuses on aggression and violent behaviour.

Answer 23

biological

Question 24

Status offenses differ from adult crimes …

Answer 24

age specific
juvenile justice system emphasizes rehabilitation
adult system focuses on punishment and deterrence.
are considered offenses only because the individual is a minor.
For adults, these actions are either legal or not considered criminal.

Question 24

_________________________ traits are characterized by a lack of empathy and concern for the welfare of others, and they often lead to a persistent and aggressive pattern of antisocial behaviour.

Answer 24

Callous-unemotional

Question 25

people show consistent behaviour across time and place, and that these behaviours characterize personality

Answer 25

Trait theories

Question 26

Juvenile delinquency refers to

Answer 26

illegal or antisocial behaviour committed by individuals under the age of 18.

Question 26

A category of illegal behaviour only committed by individuals with specific characteristics or status, particularly juveniles. Examples include running away, violating curfew, buying alcohol, and skipping school.

Answer 26

Status Offences

Question 27

Why Most Juveniles Stop Committing Crimes in Adulthood

Answer 27

maturation social changes cognitive development increased stakes (more to loose) influence of rehabilitation programs

Question 28

What are the shortcomings of the trait approach in psychological criminology?

Answer 28

determinism (predetermined to commit crime) complexity - oversimplifies human behaviour overemphasis of individual factors lacks cultural awareness (bias) leads to stigmatisation no clear causal relationship between trait and criminal behaviour

Question 29

examples of status offences

Answer 29

running away from home truancy underage drinking or smoking

Question 30

o Focus: External factors (social environment, economic conditions, education). o Approach: Rehabilitation, social reforms, addressing root causes like poverty and inequality.

Answer 30

Inherent Goodness

Question 31

o Focus: Influence of upbringing, experiences, early interventions. o Approach: Early childhood education, positive role models, community support.

Answer 31

Blank Slate

Question 32

o Research: Shapes questions, methods, and study approaches. o Policy: Guides prevention and intervention strategies.

Answer 32

Overall Influence of understanding crime

Question 33

o Focus: Individual responsibility, deterrence, punishment. o Approach: Strict law enforcement, harsher penalties, increasing perceived risk of crime.

Answer 33

Inherent Self-Interest/Deviance

Question 34

free will is the hallmark of human behaviour...

Answer 34

classical theories of crime

Question 35

prior experiences determine how we act...

Answer 35

positivist theories (causes beyond free will)

Question 36

Theory example of conformity perspective

Answer 36

strain theory (influenced by values and attitudes of society they live in)

Question 37

Theory example of nonconformist perspective

Answer 37

social control theory + self control theory (connections to societal norms / conventions are weak or absent)

Question 38

Theory example of learning perspective

Answer 38

social learning theory + differential association theory (behaviour shaped by a blank state, learned experiences)

Question 39

A developmental approach examines...

Answer 39

the changes and influences across a persons lifetime which contribute to the formation of antisocial / criminal behaviours.

Question 40

What are the two tracks of the just-world hypothesis?

Answer 40

Belief in personal just world Belief in general just world

Question 41

advantages of national crime victimisation surveys

Answer 41

comprehensive (incl. unreported) detailed trends over time victim perspective comparable with official data

Question 42

disadvantages of crime victimisation surveys

Answer 42

reliability (self reported) sampling issues (biased) excludes homicides (incomplete data) costly underreporting of sensitive crimes

Question 43

where do official stats come from?

Answer 43

police and courts

Question 44

limitations of official stats...

Answer 44

definition of crime varies between jurisdictions unreflective of actual crime levels what we know about offenders comes from those charged, therefore is this a reasonable representation?

Question 45

use of crime statistics...

Answer 45

criminological theories CJS evaluation, forecasting & priorities

Question 46

Ecological fallacies arise

Answer 46

when conclusions about individuals are made based on group-level data, such as assuming that a resident of a high-crime neighbourhood is more likely to commit a crime.

Question 47

Using crime statistics, you need to be aware of what two key (related) issues?

Answer 47

* Ecological fallacy (group level data conclusions) * Distinction between incidence and prevalence