Choice Theory: Understanding Crime
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Questions and Answers

What does the psychodynamic perspective suggest controls personality?

  • Genetic predispositions only
  • Social environment exclusively
  • Conscious decision-making
  • Unconscious mental processes (correct)

    • Which of the following components of the mind is associated with moral standards and values?

  • SUPEREGO (correct)
  • EGO
  • ID
  • Conscious mind

    • According to the psychodynamic perspective, what aspect of personality is often dominant in criminals?

  • SUPEREGO
  • EGO
  • ID (correct)
  • Conscious reasoning

    • In the psychodynamic theory, which two instincts are associated with the ID?

    <p>Eros and Thanatos</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does behavioral theory suggest is the primary influence on human actions?

    <p>Learning experiences</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one potential contribution of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) to behavior?

    <p>It can trigger excessive amounts of female sex hormones leading to aggression.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which neurophysiological condition is linked to aggression and impulse control issues?

    <p>Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which environmental factor is noted to influence behavior and emotional disorders?

    <p>Higher concentrations of lead</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What neurological abnormality was highlighted in the case of Charles Whitman?

    <p>Malignant brain tumor</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was one hypothesis posed by early trait theorists regarding criminality?

    <p>Criminality can be passed down through genetics.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role do brain lesions and tumors play in aggressive behavior according to the content?

    <p>They can increase the likelihood of aggressive impulses.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which trait is associated with criminality from a genetic standpoint?

    <p>Impulsivity</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What concept describes the effort to improve the racial qualities of future generations?

    <p>Eugenics</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one key assumption of routine activities theory regarding crime?

    <p>Crime is a matter of criminal opportunity.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which approach focuses on reducing opportunities for crime through environmental modifications?

    <p>Situational crime prevention</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does general deterrence primarily rely on to control crime rates?

    <p>The threat of criminal punishment</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Situational crime prevention can lead to which of the following potential issues?

    <p>Crime displacement to other areas</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to the rational choice theory, what rationale might lead drug dealers to sell drugs?

    <p>The expectation of monetary gain</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT one of the strategies based on rational choice theory for controlling crime?

    <p>Emotional deterrence strategies</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Serial killers may choose their victims through which type of decision-making process?

    <p>Calculating vulnerability of targets</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a common characteristic of rational choice theory regarding criminal behavior?

    <p>It implies criminals weigh costs and benefits before committing an act.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What primary factor contributes to crime according to strain theory?

    <p>Lower-class frustration and anger</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which concept explains the feeling of deprivation when the affluent live near the poor?

    <p>Relative deprivation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does Institutional Anomie Theory view the American dream?

    <p>As undermining community and social institutions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What primary emotion drives criminal behavior according to relative deprivation theory?

    <p>Frustration</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What aspect of social life is undermined by the pursuit of wealth according to Institutional Anomie Theory?

    <p>Religious institutions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the phrase 'by any means necessary' suggest in the context of crime?

    <p>Successful strategies without any ethical consideration</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How may those who are affluent feel frustration in relation to the wealthy?

    <p>They feel inadequate compared to even wealthier individuals</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What societal effects does the demand of the workplace have according to the discussed theories?

    <p>It takes precedence over personal relationships</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best describes a category of cybercrime involving unauthorized access or theft of information?

    <p>Cybertheft</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the approximate average daily time spent by Canadians on social media?

    <p>1 hour</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What percentage of individuals' waking life is spent sleeping if one sleeps for 8 hours?

    <p>44%</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement accurately reflects changing communication methods in the digital society?

    <p>There are altered means and methods of communication.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which demographic factor affects access to the internet and technical skills in the digital society?

    <p>Age</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the estimated global economic loss due to cybercrime?

    <p>$600 billion</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What time duration is typically spent online daily by teens?

    <p>8.5 hours</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which term describes the act of defacing websites or breaking systems without financial gain?

    <p>Cybervandalism</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of the criminal justice system according to conflict theorists?

    <p>To further institute oppression and maintain social control</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do negative labels affect individuals who are stigmatized?

    <p>They reinforce negative behaviors associated with the label</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best describes Marxism?

    <p>The idea that social structures are shaped by the capitalist mode of production</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the Social Conflict Theory of Crime primarily focus on?

    <p>The relationship between societal hierarchy and crime</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to conflict theorists, crime is seen as an outcome of what?

    <p>Class struggle and economic conflict</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which group plays a significant role in shaping and controlling criminal law according to key concerns of Social Conflict Theory?

    <p>The ruling class and government</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What can be inferred about the relationship between the capitalist economy and crime rates?

    <p>A potential link where economic inequality may increase crime rates</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What aspect of society does Social Conflict Theory try to examine?

    <p>The organization of power and hierarchy</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Choice Theory

    • Derives from ancient Greek philosophy
    • A set of statements explaining related concepts
    • A tool for understanding practical problems
    • Offers generalizations to discern patterns in events (past, present, future)

    Choice Theory: Crime

    • Crime is a choice
    • Offender weighs potential gain against potential loss
    • Classical criminology's core concepts
      • People choose all behavior, including crime
      • Laws are part of a social contract
      • Society prioritizes collective well-being
      • Law should be a guide, not a moral compass

    Qualification of a Theory

    • To be considered a theory, conclusions must be deducible and empirically validated
    • Examples of an unqualified theory: "Dogs can fly faster than birds because they have larger wingspans" (ex. birds don't fly faster than dogs)
    • A valid theory leads to predictions or prohibitions of observable events/conditions

    Theories' Usefulness

    • Theories offer a framework for explaining practical aspects of life
    • Empirically validated theories provide valuable references
    • Examples can illustrate real-world occurrences (e.g., high crime rates in a neighborhood)

    Criminological Theories: Levels of Analysis

    • Three broad levels:
      • Individual: Focuses on personal characteristics of offenders and victims
      • Situational: Focuses on immediate circumstances
      • Structural: Looks at social relationships, class structures, and other social divisions

    Classical Theory (aka Utilitarianism)

    • Key principles:

      • Humans have equal reasoning abilities
      • Individuals pursue self-interest
      • All human actions are voluntary

    • Central premise: Individuals choose to commit crime rationally

    • Crime is a choice, not influenced by environmental factors

    • Prevention strategies: Situational crime prevention, general deterrence, specific deterrence, and incapacitation

    Trait Theories

    • Focuses on biological and psychological causes of criminal behavior
    • Unique explanations account for differences in criminal behavior between individuals
    • Focuses on basic human drives, aggression, violence, and impulsiveness
    • Not suggesting one single attribute, but various factors combining to cause behavior

    Historical Context - Positivism and the Rise of Science

    • 19th-century rapid industrialization and the rise of capitalism
    • Technological innovation, mass production techniques
    • Increasing class divides/conflict
    • Expanding European colonialism

    Positivist Criminology - Trait Theories

    • Scientific methodologies to study social behavior, similar to natural sciences
    • Emphasis on biological, psychological, and sociological factors

    Biological Trait Theory: Four Contemporary Biosocial Theories of Crime

      1. Biochemical Conditions
      1. Neurophysiological Conditions
      1. Genetic Conditions
      1. Evolutionary Conditions

    Psychological Trait Theories: 3 Branches

      1. Psychodynamic Perspective: Unconscious mental processes during early childhood
      1. Behavioral Theories: Learned behavior through observing others (rewards/punishments)
      1. Cognitive Theory: How individuals interpret the world; thoughts impacting actions

    Limitations of Psychological Trait Theories

    • Focus may be too narrow to specific types of crimes (e.g. violence)
    • Can sometimes exclude certain factors like sociological ones.

    Social Structure Theories of Crime

    • Explain crime through social environments where individuals live
    • Social structure theories emphasize societal, environmental, economic, and technological influence, which are interconnected

    Social Disorganization Theory

    • Crime linked to neighbourhood ecological characteristics
    • High turnover, weak social fabric, lack of essential services, low income households, and high unemployment contribute to crime
    • Community is unable to function and regulate individual behavior.

    Strain Theory (Anomie Theory)

    • Crime results from societal pressures or strain, such as a mismatch between financial success and reality
    • Cultural pressures to achieve material wealth, status, or success lead to frustration and crime
    • The stress resulting from unachieved goals, perceived lack of opportunities, or inequality (relative deprivation) are causes of crime

    Cultural Deviance Theory

    • Combines social disorganization and strain theories
    • Explores how people living in deteriorated neighborhoods, that have limited opportunities or resources, respond to their environment
    • People develop a subculture that values actions that conflict with societal norms due to unequal access to resources or goals.

    Delinquent Subculture Theory

    • Explains crime in protest against the prevailing culture
    • Some groups feel frustrated and marginalized due to their inability to achieve the goals of the dominant culture
    • They join gangs where they find support to engage in crime

    Differential Opportunity Theory

    • Individuals may share the same goals but have unequal means to achieve them.
    • This theory focuses on availability of opportunity (illegitimate or legitimate) for achieving goals within a community
    • Certain communities, in particular, or those with high-crime neighborhoods, lack the opportunities for success, resulting in the pursuit of illegitimate ways.

    Social Conflict Theory

    • Emphasizes the role of power, social hierarchy, and economic inequalities in shaping crime.
    • Suggests that law is a tool for the powerful to maintain control over less powerful.
    • Criminal laws are often a reflection of the powerful individuals who set the law
    • Inequality, social injustices, and discrimination can lead to crime/deviance.

    Marxist Criminology

    • Emphasizes the role of capitalism in creating crime
    • This mode of production creates inequalities, exploitation, and alienation
    • Suggests criminal behaviours and laws reflecting the interests of the capitalist ruling class.

    Political Crimes

    • Illegal acts designed to undermine/overthrow a government

    • Key factors:

      • Intimidation, revolution, profit, conviction, pseudo-conviction.

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    Description

    Explore the fundamentals of Choice Theory and its application to crime. This quiz delves into the notion that crime is a choice made by offenders who weigh potential outcomes. Engage with key concepts from classical criminology and the qualifications necessary for a theory to be considered valid.

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