Criminology Approaches and Principles

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Questions and Answers

What is considered the most important factor in reducing crime rates according to the concept of deterrence?

Certainty of punishment (correct)

Celerity of punishment

Length of imprisonment

Severity of punishment

What is a potential outcome of increasing the severity of punishments without affecting certainty and celerity?

An increase in offenders disregarding laws (correct)

Lower crime rates due to fear of punishment

Increase in crime due to perceived injustice

No effect on crime rates

What does the 'brutalization effect' refer to in the context of capital punishment?

Immediate decrease in homicide rates after executions

Decreased compassion in society following executions

Increased homicide rates following executions (correct)

Heightened public support for the death penalty

How do general deterrence principles suggest that crime can be minimized?

By enhancing the certainty of punishment Signup and view all the answers

Which policy is commonly associated with an increased focus on the severity of punishment?

Three Strikes Laws Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of objectivist-legalistic approaches to crime?

Studying the behavior of rule breakers and their motivations Signup and view all the answers

According to the consensus view, what is the general belief about crime in a society?

All members of society agree on what constitutes a crime Signup and view all the answers

What is the harm principle as proposed by John Stuart Mill?

Only actions that are harmful to individuals should be deemed criminal Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of crime does constructivist approaches primarily focus on?

The social context that labels actions as criminal Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about norms and boundaries is accurate?

Societies create both insiders and outsiders based on norms Signup and view all the answers

Why might gambling be viewed as a crime despite not causing physical harm?

It is linked to financial irresponsibility and moral issues Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant characteristic of drug-related crime definitions?

They encompass both crime and broader concepts of deviance Signup and view all the answers

How do objectivist-legalistic approaches utilize crime statistics?

To understand patterns of rule breaking and deviance Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary concern of social ecologists regarding crime?

The relationship of community deterioration to crime Signup and view all the answers

Which social condition has been linked to increased crime rates in neighborhoods?

Abandoned buildings Signup and view all the answers

What effect can high unemployment have on crime rates?

Is positively correlated with higher crime rates Signup and view all the answers

What term describes the cycle where fear produces more crime, resulting in higher fear?

Victimization Cycle Signup and view all the answers

What behavioral response might occur in urban areas experiencing high population turnover?

Higher rates of crime Signup and view all the answers

Which consequence results from the concentration of poverty in urban ghettos?

Isolation from the social mainstream Signup and view all the answers

Gentrification is characterized by which of the following stages?

Renewal and increase in property values Signup and view all the answers

What mindset develops when communities mistrust social institutions like the police?

Siege Mentality Signup and view all the answers

Which demographic factor is associated with higher crime rates among young offenders?

Age Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of race is highlighted in the discussion of crime?

Racism exists within the criminal justice system Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary focus of self-report surveys in criminal research?

Documenting participation in criminal activity Signup and view all the answers

Which limitation is commonly associated with self-report surveys?

They can be prone to misrepresentation by respondents Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant issue with victimization surveys?

They sometimes fail to represent marginal populations Signup and view all the answers

What theory does labeling theory relate to regarding crime participation?

Certain individuals are more likely to be labeled as criminals Signup and view all the answers

What type of research is known as cross-sectional research?

Survey research that captures data at a single point in time Signup and view all the answers

Which term best describes the phenomenon where victims inaccurately remember the timing of crimes?

Telescoping Signup and view all the answers

What does the Crime Rate formula calculate?

The number of crimes per 100,000 people Signup and view all the answers

Which social factor is associated with a higher risk of becoming a crime victim?

Gender and lower economic status Signup and view all the answers

What is an influence of funding availability on criminology research?

It can dictate which areas of research get prioritized Signup and view all the answers

Why are motor vehicle thefts reported more frequently than other theft types?

Insurance companies require documentation Signup and view all the answers

How has the reporting of crimes evolved over time?

More victims are discussing and defining crimes better Signup and view all the answers

What ethical concern affects criminology research involving participants?

Lack of scrutiny on higher social classes Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the Crime Severity Index (CSI)?

To facilitate comparisons across different regions and time frames Signup and view all the answers

What percent of sexual assaults are perpetrated by relatives against women?

2/3 Signup and view all the answers

Which factor contributes to the decline in some crime rates observed since the 1990s?

Greater public awareness and reporting Signup and view all the answers

Which age group is statistically most likely to experience sexual assault?

Ages 15-24 Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Objectivist-Legalistic Approaches

This approach views crime as a violation of the law that everyone agrees on.
It examines why people break the law and how they are different from those who don't.
It uses crime statistics to understand trends and patterns, considering deviance, which may not always be caught.
It focuses on policy responses to crime.

Constructivist Approaches

This approach explores how issues become defined as criminal offences.
It examines how we talk about crime, and why certain issues are more important than others.
It questions the evolution of our perceptions and understanding of crime.

What Makes Something a Crime?

Harm Principle (John Stewart Mill): States that criminal law should only punish actions that harm others.
Morality and Responsibility: Crimes may not always cause physical harm, but they can violate moral principles or responsibilities.
Norms and Boundaries: Each society has its own set of rules and boundaries, and these rules define who is considered an "insider" or "outsider."

Consensus View

Asserts that crime is unacceptable to the whole of society.
Law reflects the shared values and beliefs of society.
This view suggests a general agreement on what constitutes right and wrong.

Focuses on the link between community deterioration and crime.
This school places less emphasis on value conflict.

Community Deterioration

Higher crime rates correlate with social disorganization and economic decline.
Poverty, abandoned buildings, and unemployment are often associated with higher crime rates.
Social support, lack of social norms, and strain are significant factors contributing to crime.

Employment Opportunities

The connection between unemployment and crime is unclear.
Crime rates may rise during periods of economic prosperity and decline during recessions.
High unemployment can lead to increased crime, particularly in areas with limited job opportunities.

Community Fear

Disorganized neighbourhoods are characterized by youth delinquency and vandalism.
Visible signs of crime contribute to increased fear and distrust among residents.
Fear can create a cycle of victimization and further crime.

Siege Mentality

This mindset arises when community members distrust social institutions.
It is common in areas where police ignore crime, are violent, or corrupt.
This can lead to tension between the police and minority groups.

Population Turnover

Rapid changes in racial and economic composition, common in urban areas, are linked to crime rate fluctuations.
People tend to move if they feel unsafe, contributing to neighborhood instability.

Community Change

Urban areas experience a life cycle from development to decline.
Gentrification can lead to an increase in crime rates as neighborhoods undergo changes.
Changes in lifestyle and demographics are linked to higher crime rates.

Poverty Concentration

The concentration effect describes the gathering of disadvantaged individuals in impoverished areas.
This leads to income inequality, social injustice, and isolation from mainstream society.

The Idea of Crime Deterrence

General Idea: Deterrence relies on certainty, celerity (speed), and severity of punishment to reduce crime.
Certainty: The probability of getting caught and punished is the most important factor.
Severity: While often emphasized, evidence suggests its effectiveness is limited.

General vs. Specific Deterrence

General Deterrence: Aims to discourage crime in the broader population through the threat of punishment.
Specific Deterrence: Aims to prevent an individual offender from committing further crimes.

Things that Affect Crime Trends and Patterns

**Social Class
**Age
**Gender
**Race
**Social Malaise (e.g., single-parent families, divorce)

Research Techniques

Survey Research (Cross-Sectional): Measures attitudes and behaviors at a single point in time.
Self-Report Surveys: Subjects reveal their participation in criminal activities, but accuracy can be an issue.
Victimization Surveys: Measure the prevalence of crime through victim reports, capturing "hidden crime."

Issues with Self-Report and Victimization Surveys

Truthfulness and verification of responses.
Memory distortions.
Sampling biases, potentially missing data from marginalized populations.

Uniform Crime Report (UCR)

A data source based on police reports used for research, media reports, and policy decisions.
Provides information on crimes reported to the police.
Expresses data in terms of raw figures, percentage change, and crime rates per 100,000 people.
Uses a Crime Severity Index (CSI) to standardize crime severity across time and space.

Ethical Issues in Criminology Research

Social Responsibility: Researchers must consider the impact of their findings on policy debates and public perception.
Bias: Funding sources can influence research agendas, potentially skewing findings.
Participants: Researchers must be mindful of ethical considerations when working with vulnerable populations.

Crime in Canada

The number of violent offences is relatively low.
Crime rates in Canada peaked in the 1990s and have been declining since.
Motor vehicle theft rates are high due to reporting requirements for insurance purposes.

Crime Victims

Gender: Women face higher rates of victimization, particularly for assault, stalking, and criminal harassment.
Age: Young adults (20-24) are at the highest risk of victimization.
Social Status: Individuals living in crime-prone areas are more likely to become victims.

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Description

Explore the different approaches to understanding crime, including Objectivist-Legalistic and Constructivist perspectives. This quiz highlights key concepts such as the Harm Principle and societal norms, examining how crime is defined and understood across various contexts.