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Questions and Answers
Which characteristic of a good theory refers to its ability to be proven or disproven through testing?
Which characteristic of a good theory refers to its ability to be proven or disproven through testing?
Durkheim believed that crime is abnormal and should be eliminated from society.
Durkheim believed that crime is abnormal and should be eliminated from society.
False (B)
What is 'anomie' according to Merton's strain theory?
What is 'anomie' according to Merton's strain theory?
A state of normlessness or breakdown of social norms.
The theory that suggests crime is a result of social disorganization in urban areas is known as __________.
The theory that suggests crime is a result of social disorganization in urban areas is known as __________.
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Match the following adaptations to strain with their definitions:
Match the following adaptations to strain with their definitions:
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According to Agnew's General Strain Theory, which of the following is NOT a source of strain?
According to Agnew's General Strain Theory, which of the following is NOT a source of strain?
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Labeling theory suggests that being labeled as deviant can lead to increased deviance.
Labeling theory suggests that being labeled as deviant can lead to increased deviance.
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What is the main focus of Hirschi's Social Bonding theory?
What is the main focus of Hirschi's Social Bonding theory?
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Flashcards
Strain Theory
Strain Theory
A theory that explains crime as a result of a feeling of frustration and strain when individuals cannot achieve socially approved goals and expectations.
Social Disorganization Theory
Social Disorganization Theory
A theory that links crime rates to neighborhood ecological characteristics, claiming crime is primarily a product of neighborhood conditions.
Differential Association Theory
Differential Association Theory
Crime is learned through interactions with others, particularly those close to us. Exposure to criminal activities increases criminal behavior.
Conformity (Strain Theory)
Conformity (Strain Theory)
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Anomie
Anomie
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Social Learning Theory
Social Learning Theory
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Labeling Theory
Labeling Theory
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Secondary Deviance
Secondary Deviance
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Study Notes
Chapter 1: Theoretical Foundations of Criminology
- A good theory must possess empirical validity (supports evidence), logical consistency, testability, parsimony (simplicity), scope (breadth of application), and policy implications.
Chapter 8: Strain and Social Disorganization Theories
- Guerry's findings: Property crime higher in wealthier areas, violent crime higher in poorer areas.
- Relative deprivation: Feeling of disadvantage compared to others fuels crime.
- Emile Durkheim: Crime is normal and necessary. Collective conscience (shared values) important in societies. Differentiated between mechanical societies (simple) and organic societies (complex).
- Durkheim's suicide theory: related to social integration, social regulation, and social anomie.
- Merton's Strain Theory: Anomie is a social condition where norms and values conflict.
- Adaptations to strain: Conformity, Ritualism, Innovation, Retreatism, and Rebellion.
- Criminal gangs are a response to strain.
- Agnew's General Strain Theory (GST): Strain (frustration) arises from the inability to achieve goals or the presence of negative stimuli. Individual-level (micro) analysis.
Chapter 9: Chicago School and Social Disorganization
- The Chicago School: a sociological perspective focused on urban areas and social disorganization.
- Robert Park, Burgess, and concentric circles: Cities develop from the center outward in concentric zones (areas with different characteristics). Zone II being the transition zone.
- Social disorganization theory (Shaw & McKay): Crime rates are higher in neighbourhoods with weak social institutions and social control.
- Elements of high-crime neighbourhoods: Weak social institutions (e.g., trust, community involvement); rapid population changes. Disorganization leads to crime, not poverty directly.
Chapter 10: Social Learning and Control Theories
- Socialization: Process of learning norms and values.
- Learning theories: Criminal behavior is learned through interaction with others.
- Control theories: Focus on the factors that prevent people from committing crimes (e.g., social bonds, self-control).
- Differential association theory (Sutherland): Criminal behavior is learned through interactions with others.
- Differential reinforcement theory (Burgess & Akers): Behaviour is learned through reinforcement and punishment, and modeling/imitation.
- Neutralization theory (Sykes & Matza): People learn techniques to justify their criminal behavior.
- Toby's stake in conformity: Individuals with strong ties to society are less likely to offend.
- Matza's Drift theory: Individuals can drift between conforming and non-conforming behavior.
- Hirschi's Social Bonding theory: Four social bonds (attachment, commitment, involvement, belief) decrease crime.
- General Theory of Crime (Gottfredson & Hirshci): Low self-control is the main cause of crime.
- Policy implications of these theories are often related to strengthening social institutions, interventions to change behaviours and promote self-control.
Chapter 11: Labeling Theory
- Labeling theory: Focuses on the consequences of being labeled as a criminal. Examines how labels affect individual behavior.
- Symbolic interactionism: The perspective of how shared meanings create meaning/society/behaviors.
- Dramatization of evil (Tannenbaum): Initial labels become self-fulfilling prophecies.
- Primary deviance: Initial acts of deviance.
- Secondary deviance: Deviance resulting from societal reaction to the initial deviant act.
- Howard Becker: Outsiders (deviance studied). Typologies of deviant behavior: falsely accused, conforming, pure deviant, secret deviant.
- Labeling theory assumptions and critiques: Assumptions of a theory and discussion of criticisms.
- Restorative vs. retributive justice differences and implications.
Chapter 13: Life-Course Perspectives in Criminology
- Life-Course Perspectives: Study how crime changes across individuals' lives.
- Developmental theories: Crime is not simply determined by one factor.
- Unit of analysis: Individual.
- Onset, frequency, intensity, persistence, and desistance: Examining the trajectory of involvement and offending.
- Lambda (offender frequency): How often an offender commits an offense.
- Low self-control theory assumption: Self-control develops early in life.
- Life trajectories: Long-term patterns of behavior.
- Transitions: Changes in life events.
- Sampson and Laub's theory: transitions and trajectories in lives impact offending.
- Moffitt's Developmental Taxonomy: Adolescent-limited vs. life-course persistent offenders.
- Policy implications: Universal health care for women during pregnancy and early childhood interventions can have positive long-term effects, reducing crime.
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Description
Test your understanding of key concepts from the theoretical foundations of criminology, including empirical validity and logical consistency. Additionally, explore strain theory and social disorganization, including the works of Guerry, Durkheim, and Merton. Sharpen your knowledge about crime dynamics and societal influences.
