Criminal Justice Theories Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

What is Labeling Theory?

Society creates crime and criminals by labeling people as deviant, focusing on perceptions of criminal behavior rather than the behavior itself.

What does Cultural Deviance Theory state?

It is based on the assumption that members of certain subcultures adapt to the values of the subculture they belong to.

What is the Consensus Model?

The theory that the majority of citizens in a society share the same values and beliefs, and criminal acts conflict with these values.

What is Choice Theory?

A school of criminology that holds wrongdoers weigh the benefits of criminal activity against the expected costs. Signup and view all the answers

What does Control Theory focus on?

It focuses on why people do not commit crimes rather than why they do. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Crime Control Model?

A criminal justice model that emphasizes the right of society to be protected from crime and violent criminals. Signup and view all the answers

What does the Conflict Model describe?

It describes a criminal justice model in which the content of criminal law is determined by groups holding economic, political, and social power. Signup and view all the answers

What is Social Disorganization Theory?

A theory that suggests deviant behavior is more likely in communities where social institutions fail to exert control. Signup and view all the answers

What does Social Conflict Theory focus on?

It focuses on power dynamics rather than biological, sociological, or psychological factors. Signup and view all the answers

What are Social Process Theories?

Theories which suggest that everyone has the potential for criminal behavior. Signup and view all the answers

What is Learning Theory as proposed by Edwin Sutherland?

It is the hypothesis that delinquents must be taught practical and emotional skills necessary for illegal activity. Signup and view all the answers

What does the Due Process Model prioritize?

It prioritizes the rights of the individual to be protected from government power. Signup and view all the answers

What is Strain Theory?

A theory stating that most people have the same goals, but the means to achieve them are not universally available. Signup and view all the answers

What does Racial Threat Theory examine?

It focuses on the control exerted by the criminal justice system on the black community. Signup and view all the answers

What is Life Course Criminology?

A belief that childhood conduct problems are the strongest predictors of future criminal behavior. Signup and view all the answers

What is Self Control Theory?

A theory linking criminality to low self-control, usually attributed to poor parenting before age 10. Signup and view all the answers

The Learning Process involves learning to perceive pleasurable effects of ______.

drug use Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Labeling Theory

Society influences crime by labeling individuals as deviant.
Focuses on perceptions and societal reactions rather than the behavior itself.

Cultural Deviance Theory

Suggests that certain subcultures adopt distinct values and norms.
Members of these subcultures may engage in behavior deemed deviant by the broader society.

Consensus Model

Reflects shared values and beliefs among the majority in society.
Views criminal acts as violations of these collective values and beliefs, posing harm to society.

Choice Theory

Views criminal behavior as a rational choice based on cost-benefit analysis.
Offenders weigh potential benefits of crime against the risk of apprehension.

Control Theory

Developed by Travis Hirschi.
Investigates the reasons why individuals refrain from committing crimes.

Crime Control Model

Prioritizes society's right to be safeguarded from crime and violent offenders.
Emphasizes punishment and deterrence as key components of justice.

Conflict Model

Suggests criminal law is shaped by groups with economic, political, and social power.
Reflects tensions and struggles between different social groups.

Originated by Shaw and McKay.
Proposes that deviant behavior flourishes in communities with weak social institutions (e.g., families, schools) that fail to control behavior.

Founded by Karl Marx.
Centers on the role of power dynamics in shaping criminal behavior and societal reactions.

Argue that all individuals have the potential for criminal behavior.
Emphasize the influence of social interactions and processes on behavior.

Learning Theory

Popularized by Edwin Sutherland.
Asserts that criminal behaviors are learned through social interactions and require specific skills for execution.

Due Process Model

Focuses on protecting individual rights against government power.
Ensures fairness and justice within the criminal justice system.

Strain Theory

Proposed by Emile Durkheim.
Highlights a disjunction between socially accepted goals and the means available to achieve them, leading to deviance.

Racial Threat Theory

Examines the control exerted by the criminal justice system over minority communities, particularly Black individuals.
Suggests majority groups maintain social control through repression of minorities.

Life Course Criminology

Developed by Cullen and Agnew.
Identifies early conduct problems (e.g., lying, stealing) as strong predictors of future criminal behavior.

Self Control Theory

Founded by Gottfredson and Hirschi.
Links criminal behavior to low self-control, often resulting from inadequate parenting during early childhood.

Learning Process

Involves three stages related to drug use:
- Learning the techniques of drug use.
- Recognizing and enjoying the pleasurable effects.
- Valuing the social experiences associated with drug use.

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Description

Explore key concepts in criminal justice with this flashcard quiz. Learn about various theories such as Labeling Theory and Cultural Deviance Theory, which explain how society influences perceptions of crime. Perfect for students looking to deepen their understanding of criminology and societal impact on criminal behavior.