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What principle suggests that laws should promote the greatest good for the greatest number?
According to classical theory, what motivates people to commit crimes?
Which of the following statements reflects the presumption of innocence in classical theory?
What was a key objective of punishment according to Bentham and Beccaria?
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Which element did James Q Wilson reject in his approach to understanding crime?
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What was the percentage of violent crimes reported in 2019?
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Which group was identified as having a higher risk of victimization for sexual assault in 2009?
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What percentage of victims did not report a crime in 2019 because it was too minor?
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Which factor is associated with early victimization leading to later criminality?
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What was the total number of incidents reported in 2014?
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Which of the following is a problem faced by crime victims?
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According to victim survey findings, what is a notable characteristic of victimization?
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Which demographic group faces a greater risk of victimization according to the 2019 survey?
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What percentage of the earning potential of a legitimate job does a mid-rate burglar earn?
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How many crimes does a high-rate burglar commit on average per year?
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What factors do offenders evaluate before committing a crime according to the offender-specific crime concept?
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What is the main aspect of rational choice theory in relation to crime?
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Which of the following reflects the potential legal costs associated with committing a crime?
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What can deter offenders from committing crimes, as noted in the text?
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Which of the following describes suitable targets in the rational choice framework?
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What was Edwin Alonzo Boyd's profession, as stated in the content?
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What principle is emphasized by classical theory concerning the treatment of individuals under the law?
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Which statement best represents the view of classical theorists regarding the relationship between society and individual liberties?
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According to classical theory, what is the primary goal of punishment?
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What aspect of crime does James Q Wilson emphasize in his critique of traditional explanations for criminal behavior?
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Which concept is closely associated with the classical theory's view on human behavior?
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Which demographic factor shows a higher risk of victimization for sexual assault?
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What percentage of crime victims did not report incidents in 2019 due to the crime being perceived as too minor?
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What is one of the financial problems faced by crime victims?
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Which of the following factors is associated with a higher likelihood of committing crimes later in life?
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What percentage of violent crimes was reported in 2014?
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Which social group has a greater risk of victimization based on the 2019 General Social Survey?
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In terms of social ecology, which factor has a notable impact on victimization rates?
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Which type of trauma is associated with long-term effects on victims?
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What is the average earning potential of a mid-rate burglar as a percentage of a legitimate job?
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What is a primary factor that influences a high-rate burglar's decision to commit crimes?
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Which of the following best describes the concept of crime-specific evaluation by an offender?
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What personal motivation might drive an offender to commit a crime, according to rational choice theory?
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What situational factor impacts an offender's decision to commit a crime?
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Which of the following describes a high-rate burglar's earnings compared to a legitimate job?
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What psychological cost is commonly associated with criminal behavior according to the content?
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What would deter an offender from committing a crime based on offender-specific considerations?
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Study Notes
General Social Survey Findings
- In 2014, 1 in 4 people were victims of crime, with 6.4 million incidents reported.
- 35% of crimes reported in 2014 were violent crimes.
- In 2019, 1 in 5 people were victims of crime, with 8 million incidents reported.
- 30% of crimes reported in 2019 were violent crimes.
- 56% of victims in 2019 did not report a crime because it was considered too minor.
Problems of Crime Victims
- Victims often experience financial loss, including replacing stolen property and decreased ability to work.
- Victims may suffer psychological injury requiring medical treatment.
- Victims can face re-victimization through the court process or victim blaming.
- Victims may experience mental injury or trauma with long-term effects.
- Victims may experience physical injury requiring medical treatment.
Antisocial Behavior
- Early victimization is linked to later criminality.
- Victims of certain crimes are more likely to commit crimes themselves.
- Child abuse or neglect significantly increases the risk of future criminality.
- Childhood abuse is associated with drug use and adult crime.
- Males are more likely to use violence if they or their wife has been abused.
- Females exposed to family violence show behavioral and adjustment problems.
- Intergenerational trauma, stemming from the residential school system forced upon Indigenous people, has a lasting impact.
Nature of Victimization
- Victim surveys reveal that crimes are frequently underreported.
- The location of residence influences the types of crimes experienced. Canada has a high rate of car thefts.
- Atlantic provinces have lower crime rates compared to Western provinces.
- Victimization is not random but influenced by ecological and personal factors.
- Victims and perpetrators often know each other or share connections.
The Social Ecology of Victimization: Victim Characteristics
- Gender: Women are slightly more likely than men to experience assaults and are significantly more likely to be victims of sexual assault.
- Age: Youths face a higher risk of victimization than older individuals.
- Social Status: Poorer Canadians are more likely to reside in high-crime areas.
- Ethnicity: Indigenous people have higher rates of victimization, particularly for sexual assault.
- Relationship: 30% of women who are currently or previously married have experienced at least one incident of abuse.
Choice Theory
- Choice theory, also known as classical criminology, emerged as an explanation for why people violate the law.
- Criminals are considered rational, and their behavior can be deterred by the fear of punishment.
- Choice theory is associated with utilitarian philosophers like Beccaria and Bentham.
Classical Concepts
- People choose all behavior.
- Violating someone violates the social contract.
- Society's goal is to provide the greatest good for the greatest number.
- Laws should not dictate morality.
- Presumption of innocence is paramount.
- Laws and punishments should be transparent and written.
- People sacrifice some liberty in exchange for social protection.
- Individuals are motivated by pain and pleasure.
- Punishments should be severe, swift, and fair to deter crime.
Objectives of Punishment
- Both Bentham and Beccaria aimed to prevent all crime.
- Their objective included convincing offenders to commit less serious crimes.
- They believed criminals should only use the necessary force.
- They sought to prevent crime as cost-effectively as possible.
Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
- Section 12 of the Charter guarantees the right not to be subjected to cruel or unusual punishment.
Choice Theory Emerges
- James Q. Wilson rejected the idea that crime is solely caused by poverty and can be resolved through government programs.
- He proposed a focus on individuals, including reducing opportunities for potential criminals (target hardening, prevention) and using prisons to incapacitate and deter criminal activity.
- He described criminals as lacking inhibition, valuing the excitement of breaking laws, and being non-conformists willing to take risks more than the average person.
Does Crime Pay?
- Research, like that by Wilson and Abrahamse, examines the financial aspects of crime.
- Mid-rate burglars earned about 32% of the earning potential of a legitimate job.
- High-rate burglars, committing 193 crimes per year, earn roughly the same as they would from a legitimate job.
- Even without incarceration, high-rate burglars earn about the same as holding a job for the same period.
- Criminals may be motivated by other factors, such as peer influence, addiction, or mental health issues.
Crime Profits and Costs
-
Mid-rate burglars: $16,000 (32% of a legitimate job)
-
High-rate burglars: $50,000
-
Costs associated with crime can include:
- Legal fees
- Bail bonds
- Loss of income
- Loss of relationships
- Psychological costs
-
Crime earnings are minimal and directly impact earning potential upon release from jail.
Offense-Specific Crime
- Offenders evaluate the characteristics of an offense, assessing opportunity and guardianship.
- Robbery might involve evaluating the target's likely cash yield, the availability of a getaway car, and the probability of apprehension by police.
- Edwin Alonzo Boyd, a bank robber in the 1940s, provides an example of a criminal evaluating these factors.
Offender-Specific Crime
- Offenders carefully evaluate their skills, motivations, needs, and fears before committing an offense.
- Deterrence occurs when offenders perceive the risk of getting caught as too high and decide against committing the crime.
- An example is an offender recently released from jail.
Rational Choice Theory
- Rational choice theory encompasses two key elements:
- Structuring criminality: Factors influencing an individual's decision to commit a crime.
- Structuring crime: Factors influencing the opportunity for a specific crime to occur.
Rational Choice Theory: Key Factors
-
Personal factors:
- Need for money
- Revenge
- Thrills
- Entertainment
- Potential value of the crime
-
Situational factors:
- How well the target is protected
- Police efficiency in the area
- Risk of apprehension
- Seriousness of potential punishment
Suitable Targets
- Rational Choice: Perception of target vulnerability.
- Routine Activities Theory: Increased accessibility enhances the likelihood of crime.
- Capable Guardians: Rational choice considers the presence of effective security measures.
General Social Survey Findings
- In 2014, 1 in 4 people were victims of crime, with over 6.4 million incidents reported.
- 35% of these incidents were classified as violent crimes.
- People living in single-parent households, renting in a disorderly neighborhood, are more likely to be victims.
- In 2019, the victimization rate increased to 1 in 5 people, with 8 million incidents reported.
- While violent crimes decreased to 30% in 2019, a significant 56% of victims did not report crimes due to their perceived minor nature.
Problems of Crime Victims
- Financial losses such as replacing stolen property and decreased work ability.
- Psychological injuries requiring medical treatment.
- Revictimization can occur through the court process or victim-blaming.
- Mental injuries and trauma can have long-term effects on victims.
- Physical injuries requiring medical treatment.
Antisocial Behaviour
- Early victimization is correlated with later criminal activity, with victims of certain crimes more likely to commit them.
- Child abuse or neglect significantly increases the risk of becoming a perpetrator.
- Childhood abuse is linked to drug use and adult criminal behavior.
- Men who have experienced abuse themselves or whose wives have, are more prone to violence.
- Women who experience family violence are at a higher risk for behavioral and adjustment problems.
- Intergenerational trauma, a direct result of the residential school system forced upon Indigenous communities, persists.
Nature of Victimization
- Victim surveys demonstrate that crimes are significantly underreported.
- The country of residence influences the types of crimes experienced. Canada holds a high rate of car thefts.
- Atlantic provinces generally have lower crime rates compared to Western provinces.
- Victimization is not random, but rather a consequence of ecological and personal factors.
- Victims and perpetrators often know each other or have a connection.
The Social Ecology of Victimization: Victim Characteristics
- Gender: In 2019, the GSS indicated that women are slightly more likely than men to be victims of assault. Importantly, women experience a significantly higher risk of sexual assault.
- Age: GSS data reveals that youth face a greater risk of victimization compared to older individuals.
- Social Status: Poorer Canadians are more likely to reside in crime-prone areas.
- Ethnicity: The 2009 GSS showed higher rates of sexual assault victimization among Indigenous people.
- Relationship: A nationwide survey on violence against women reported that 30% of currently or previously married women had endured at least one instance of abuse.
Choice Theory: Why do people commit crimes?
- Choice theory emerged as classical criminology, proposing that criminals are rational individuals whose behavior can be deterred by fear of punishment.
- Classical theory is sometimes referred to as utilitarianism, rooted in the ideas of Beccaria, Bentham, and other utilitarian philosophers.
Classical Concepts
- All behavior is a conscious choice.
- Violating the law constitutes a violation of the social contract.
- Society should prioritize the greatest good for the greatest number of people.
- Laws should not be dictated by morality.
- The presumption of innocence is crucial.
- Laws and punishments must be transparent and clearly written.
- Society relinquishes some liberty in exchange for social protection.
- Human motivation is driven by the pursuit of pleasure and the avoidance of pain.
- Punishment should be severe, swift, and fair to deter crime.
Objectives of Punishment
- Both Bentham and Beccaria aimed to prevent all crime.
- The ideal punishment should convince offenders to commit less serious crimes.
- Criminal use of force should be strictly limited to what is necessary.
- Punishment should be implemented as cost-effectively as possible.
Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
- Section 12 protects individuals from cruel and unusual punishment.
Choice Theory Emerges
- James Q. Wilson challenged the notion that poverty drives crime and that government programs can effectively address it.
- He redirected focus towards individuals, emphasizing strategies to reduce opportunities for potential criminals (target hardening, prevention) and the use of prisons for incapacitation and deterrence.
- Wilson argued that criminals lack inhibition, find excitement in breaking the law, and are nonconformists willing to take more risks than the average person.
Does Crime Pay?
- Data from the National Crime Victimization Survey, analyzed by Wilson and Abrahamse, suggests a mixed answer.
- Mid-level burglars earned an average of 32% of the earning potential of a legitimate job.
- High-level burglars, committing 193 crimes annually, earned approximately the same as they would from a legitimate job.
- Even without incarceration, high-rate burglars earned roughly the same as they would have if they had held a legitimate job for the same period.
- Research indicates that criminal motivation can be influenced by various factors, including associating with other criminals.
Crime Profits
- Mid-rate burglar: $16,000 (32% of a legitimate job).
- High-rate burglar: $50,000.
Costs Associated with Crime
- Legal fees, bail bonds, loss of income, damaged relationships, and psychological costs.
Crime Earnings
- Generally, crime earnings are minimal and directly impact future earning potential after release from prison.
Offence-Specific Crime
- Offenders carefully consider the characteristics of an offence, evaluating opportunity and guardianship.
- Robbery, for instance, involves assessing potential target yield, the availability of a getaway car, and the risk of capture.
Edwin Alonzo Boyd - Bank Robber
- A real-life example of a bank robber in 1949, Boyd was the son of a Toronto policeman and experienced mixed success.
- His criminal career involved being shot at, chased, escaping, and ultimately imprisoned from 1952 to 1966.
Offender-Specific Crime
- Definition: An offender evaluates their skills, motivations, needs, and fears before committing an offense.
- Deterrence: Offenders may decide, based on their evaluation, that the risk of getting caught is too high and choose not to commit the crime.
- Example: An offender recently released from jail might be more hesitant to commit another crime due to heightened awareness of potential consequences.
Rational Choice Theory
- Structuring criminality + structuring crime = opportunity
- Rational choice theory emphasizes the role of personal and situational factors in influencing criminal decisions.
Personal Factors (Rational Choice)
- Need for money
- Revenge
- Thrills
- Entertainment
- Perceived value of the crime
Situational Factors (Rational Choice)
- Target security measures (e.g., how well protected the target is).
- Police efficiency in the area.
- Risk of apprehension.
- Severity of potential punishment.
Suitable Targets (Rational Choice)
- Perceived target vulnerability plays a significant role in rational decision-making by potential criminals.
Routine Activities Theory
- The more accessible a potential target, the more likely it is to be victimized.
Capable Guardians
- The presence of capable guardians, such as security personnel, can act as a deterrent to crime.
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Description
This quiz explores findings from the General Social Survey regarding crime victimization and the associated psychological and financial impacts on individuals. Additionally, it examines the relationship between early victimization and later antisocial behavior, delving into the complexities of crime and victimhood. Test your understanding of these critical social issues.
