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What does the Classical School/Classical Criminology argue is the result of the exercise of free will?
What is hedonistic calculus?
The idea that behavior holds value based on the expected pleasure or pain it will produce.
What is a Panopticon?
A circular building with cells that are easily visible and staffed by guards.
What are important concepts of Neoclassical Criminology?
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The Nothing-works doctrine suggests that correctional treatment programs are highly successful.
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What is the Justice Model based on?
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What does Rational Choice Theory argue?
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What does Routine Activities Theory state about crime?
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What does Situational Choice Theory focus on?
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What is the role of a capable guardian?
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What does Lifestyle Theory link victimization risks to?
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What is 'The Seductions of Crime' about?
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What is Situational Crime Prevention concerned with?
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What does Positivism argue about criminal behavior?
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What is the goal of target hardening?
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What does the Just Deserts Model state?
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What is deterrence in criminal sentencing?
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What does general deterrence aim to achieve?
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What is specific deterrence?
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What does recidivism measure?
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What is capital punishment?
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What is 'truth in sentencing'?
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What is incapacitation?
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What did Cesare Beccaria argue about trial and punishment?
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What is the 'Three Strikes' law?
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What does classical deterrence focus on?
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What is an example of situational crime prevention?
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What is the central feature in both classical and neoclassical thought?
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What does the crime funnel reveal?
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What has been criticized about situational crime prevention and target hardening?
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Why are some people against capital punishment?
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What does rational justice focus on?
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What does emotional justice focus on?
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What are determinate sentencing schemes based on?
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Why have prison populations increased?
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What does selective incapacitation suggest?
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Study Notes
Classical School/Classical Criminology
- Emerged during the Enlightenment, emphasizing rationality and free will.
- Crime is seen as a result of personal choice and the decision-making process.
- Key concepts include:
- Deterrence through punishment
- Social contract
- Due process
- Panopticon
Hedonistic Calculus
- Proposed by Jeremy Bentham.
- Suggests that individuals assess pleasure vs. pain when making decisions.
Panopticon
- A circular prison design by Jeremy Bentham with visible cells and guards.
- Aims to facilitate surveillance and deter crime.
Neoclassical Criminology
- Reflects contemporary society with a focus on character development and rational choice.
- Advocates for get-tough policies.
- Important concepts:
- Rational choice
- Routine activities
- Situational crime prevention
- Target hardening
- Just deserts
Nothing-Works Doctrine
- Proposed by Robert Martinson; asserts little success in rehabilitating offenders through correctional programs.
Justice Model
- A modern imprisonment model based on the "Just Deserts" philosophy which emphasizes proportional punishment.
Rational Choice Theory
- Crime results from conscious decisions where perceived benefits outweigh risks.
- Aligns with classical criminology, emphasizing rational thought.
Routine Activities Theory
- Proposes that crime is likely when a motivated offender encounters a suitable target without capable guardianship.
Situational Choice Theory
- Focuses on the choices made in specific contexts, influenced by situational constraints and opportunities.
Capable Guardian
- An individual or system that effectively deters crime.
Lifestyle Theory
- Links victimization risk to individual's daily behaviors and lifestyle choices.
The Seductions of Crime
- A book by Jack Katz that explores the pleasurable aspects of criminal acts, positing pleasure as a key motivation.
Situational Crime Prevention
- Targets crime prevention through an analysis of environments conducive to crime.
- Shifts focus from why crime occurs to the specifics of where it happens.
Positivism
- Belief that external forces, like genetics and social environment, influence criminal behavior, countering the idea of free will.
Target Hardening
- Strategies aimed at reducing crime in specific locations through physical or design barriers.
Just Deserts Model
- The principle that punishments should be proportionate to the crime committed.
Deterrence
- The intent to prevent criminal behavior by instilling fear of punishment.
General Deterrence
- Aims to prevent the public from committing crimes by sentencing a specific offender.
Specific Deterrence
- Focused on preventing a particular offender from repeating their crime.
Recidivism
- Refers to the tendency of previously incarcerated individuals to re-offend, signifying treatment program effectiveness.
Capital Punishment
- The legal execution of a convicted felon.
Truth in Sentencing
- Laws mandating offenders serve a substantial portion of their sentences, often at least 80%.
Incapacitation
- Involves imprisonment or similar measures to prevent offenders from committing further crimes.
Cesare Beccaria
- Advocated for swift, certain trials and punishments, suggesting criminals choose to commit crimes and can be deterred.
"Three Strikes" Law
- Mandates severe penalties (25 years to life) for felons convicted of three or more serious offenses.
Classical Deterrence
- Concentrates on balancing pleasure and pain in decision-making.
Crime Funnel
- Illustrates that less than 1% of law violators serve prison time, indicating significant gaps in punishment.
Situational Crime Prevention Criticism
- Critics claim it leads to crime being displaced to other areas rather than overall reduction.
Death Penalty Information Center
- Highlights issues of racial disproportion in capital punishment.
DNA Exoneration
- Increases skepticism around capital punishment risk due to wrongful convictions.
Rational Justice
- Focuses on deterrence as a primary goal of sentencing.
Emotional Justice
- Focuses on retribution as a response to crime.
Determinate Sentencing Schemes
- Built on classical thought principles which believe in quantifying crime's pleasure and necessary deterrent punishment.
Increasing Prison Populations
- Growth attributed to determinate sentencing strategies and truth in sentencing laws.
Selective Incapacitation
- Proposes that a small number of repeat offenders commit most crimes, justifying targeted imprisonment strategies.
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Description
Explore the foundational theories of classical and neoclassical criminology, including key concepts such as deterrence, hedonistic calculus, and the panopticon. This quiz will test your understanding of how rational choice and social contract theories influence modern approaches to crime and punishment.