Crime and Victimization Overview

Reducing crime by changing the environment to make criminal activities harder, riskier, and less rewarding.

Crime prevention strategy that makes criminal activities physically harder by installing security measures.

Focuses on increasing visibility and surveillance to make criminal acts more likely to be seen.

Strategies that devalue the target of the crime, reducing the incentive for offenders.

Crime prevention approach that uses public shaming or highlighting the consequences to deter criminal behavior.

Crime prevention methods focused on addressing potential triggers that lead to conflicts or criminal incidents.

Crime prevention strategy of making it clear that undesirable actions will have consequences, by way of clear signage or education.

Crime prevention strategy focused on discouraging crime within the population as a whole, by using the threat of punishment.

A crime prevention strategy that punishes offenders harshly, in an attempt to deter them from future crimes.

The low percentage of serious crimes that result in an arrest, impacting the effectiveness of deterrence.

Strict incarceration conditions used in specific deterrence strategies.

Certain mental illnesses might increase the risk of criminal behavior due to traits like impulsivity, lack of empathy, and poor judgment.

A mental disorder marked by persistent opposition and defiance towards authority figures. This can lead to conflicts with the law.

A disorder involving a repeated pattern of violating social rules and other people's rights through aggressive and harmful actions.

Feelings of hopelessness in clinical depression can sometimes lead to self-destructive or aggressive behaviors.

Difficulty with understanding and expressing emotions may cause problematic reactions in situations.

Repeat offenders often have a higher rate of psychiatric conditions; mental health interventions can sometimes reduce repeat criminal acts.

The theory that behavior is learned through interactions with the environment, and reinforces actions affect future behavior.

Individuals might copy the behavior of others, especially if it's violent or aggressive, increasing the chance of similar behavior.

Exposure to violent media can sometimes lead to desensitization toward aggression.

This theory emphasizes how individuals perceive, interpret, and think about the world, causing distorted thinking which may lead to antisocial acts.

This theory looks at how people develop their sense of right and wrong. Some criminals may have undeveloped moral reasoning, not fully grasping consequences of actions.

Specific personality traits might make someone more prone to criminal acts.

Mutual trust and willingness to intervene for the common good. Low levels contribute to higher crime rates.

Alternative value systems that endorse criminal behavior, often focusing on toughness, excitement, and autonomy.

Discrepancy between societal goals (like wealth) and the legitimate means to achieve them, leading to strain and potential crime.

Criminal behavior exists in all social classes, not just the poor.

Family breakups, ineffective parenting, and abuse increase the risk of delinquency.

Supportive and consistent discipline reduces the likelihood of delinquency.

School failure and lack of motivation correlate with criminal activity. Positive school environments are protective.

Association with delinquent peers encourages criminal behavior. Pro-social friendships promote conformity.

Individuals adopt criminal techniques and values through close relationships.

Crime is learned within intimate personal groups. Exposure to favorable definitions of crime increases it.

Attachment, commitment, involvement, and belief in social norms prevent crime. They tie people to society.