Criminology Definitions and Concepts
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Questions and Answers

What was a significant shift in the way crime was understood during the Enlightenment period?

  • An emphasis on the role of theological reasoning in understanding crime.
  • The rejection of secular analyses in favor of traditional beliefs.
  • A move towards superstitious and irrational explanations of crime.
  • A transition from non-rational to rational thinking about crime. (correct)

Which of the following thinkers is NOT mentioned as a proponent of Enlightenment rationality?

  • Montesquieu
  • Rousseau
  • Voltaire
  • Locke (correct)

How does Sykes define criminology?

  • The exploration of psychological factors in criminal behavior.
  • The study of the social origins of criminal law and administration of justice. (correct)
  • The analysis of individual motivation in committing crimes.
  • The investigation of historical perspectives on crime.

What characterizes the emergence of social sciences during the nineteenth century?

<p>The embrace of rationality based on observable facts. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does Sutherland and Cressey include in their definition of criminology?

<p>The sociology of law, criminal etiology, and penology. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was a common characteristic of Enlightenment thinkers regarding human nature?

<p>They advocated for a uniformity in understanding human behavior. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the key connections between reformers and the development of criminology?

<p>Their emphasis on legal institutions and social policy goals. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What style of reasoning became prominent in the understanding of crime by the mid-nineteenth century?

<p>Scientific reasoning based on observations. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does Freud's concept of the id represent in relation to crime?

<p>Self-serving and egocentric instincts (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which theoretical perspective views crime as both functional and dysfunctional within society?

<p>Functionalism (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What happens when the id or superego overpowers the ego according to Freud?

<p>Crime, delinquency, and irrational behavior may occur (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who are the main figures associated with the concept of functionalism in criminology?

<p>Robert K. Merton and Talcott Parsons (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What central theme is emphasized in interactionalism criminology?

<p>The analysis of social interactions and their impact on crime (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT considered a theoretical perspective in criminology based on the content?

<p>Humanism (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to the functionalist perspective, how is crime categorized?

<p>As both functional and dysfunctional (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does functionalism suggest about the existence of crime in society?

<p>It is a necessary aspect of social organization (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a key focus of the symbolic-integrationist theory?

<p>The meaning of behaviour to the individual (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to Marxism criminology, what primarily influences criminal behaviour?

<p>Social conditions and political economy (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does Carol Smart's feminist perspective suggest as the cause of crime?

<p>Economic disadvantage (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is considered criminal behaviour according to the content?

<p>Acts that violate criminal law (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the phrase 'economic base determines superstructure' imply in Marxist theory?

<p>Economic conditions shape societal norms (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the feminist perspective of criminology, what leads to an increase in traditionally masculine behaviour?

<p>Economic and cultural liberation of women (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary assertion of the feminist criminology perspective?

<p>Women's frustrations and dependency contribute to crime (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How are behaviours categorized as non-criminal according to the provided content?

<p>If they do not violate criminal law (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of criminology?

<p>To study how and why crimes are committed (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which disciplines contribute to the study of criminology?

<p>Biology, sociology, and psychology (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How is crime viewed within the study of criminology?

<p>As a social construct (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of human behavior is criminology primarily concerned with?

<p>Prohibited behavior under criminal law (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a goal of criminology?

<p>Studying the direct criminal detection methods (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What aspect does criminology analyze about individuals who commit crimes?

<p>Their behavioral predispositions (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does criminology differentiate itself from?

<p>Forensic science and criminal detection (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the objectives of studying criminology?

<p>To describe the nature and extent of criminal behavior (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which branch of criminology focuses on the rehabilitation of crime victims?

<p>Victimology (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of criminalistics in the field of criminology?

<p>Methods of investigation and detection of crime (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect is NOT considered in determining individual criminal behavior?

<p>Cultural diversity (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In historical perspectives, crime was often viewed as what type of phenomenon?

<p>An omnipresent temptation (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was a primary concern regarding the explanation of why some individuals succumb to crime?

<p>Divine intervention (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following disciplines is NOT included in the study of criminology?

<p>Astronomy (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of literature contributed to the understanding of deviance during ancient and medieval periods?

<p>Criminal biographies and broadsheets (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the goal of empirical research within criminology?

<p>Analyzing crime data regarding arrests, convictions, and sentencing (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<h1>=</h1> <h1>=</h1> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

What is Criminology?

The scientific study of crime and criminal behavior.

Interdisciplinary Nature of Criminology

A multidisciplinary field that draws knowledge from various disciplines like law, philosophy, biology, psychology, and sociology.

Social Construction of Crime

The understanding that crime is socially constructed, meaning it's defined by society's norms and values.

Societal Norms and Values

A set of rules and standards that define acceptable behavior within a society.

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Categorization of Values

Different categories of values that influence individual behavior and perceptions of crime.

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Criminology vs. Criminal Detection

The study of crime is distinct from the science of criminal detection, such as forensic science.

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Focus of Criminology

Criminologists focus on understanding why crimes occur and the factors contributing to criminal behavior.

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Scientific Approach to Criminology

The study of crime and criminal behavior using scientific methods to analyze data and understand patterns.

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What is Penology?

Penology is the study of punishments and their effectiveness in controlling criminal behavior.

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What is Victimology?

Victimology focuses on understanding the victims of crime, their experiences, and how to support them.

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What is Criminalistics?

Criminalistics uses scientific methods to investigate and solve crimes, often involving forensic experts.

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What is the Administration of Criminal Justice?

The administration of criminal justice focuses on the legal system, law enforcement, courts, and prisons.

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What is Empirical Research in Criminology?

Empirical research in criminology analyzes crime data to understand patterns and trends.

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What disciplines contribute to Criminology?

Criminology draws insights from various disciplines like law, sociology, psychology, and economics to understand crime.

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What are the factors considered in Criminology?

Criminology seeks to understand why individuals commit crimes by exploring factors like psychology, physiology, and social environment.

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How was crime understood in the 17th and 18th centuries?

Early ideas about crime focused on the omnipresent nature of temptation and the struggle to resist it.

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Paradigm Shift in Criminology

The shift from non-rational, superstitious explanations of crime to a more scientific, reason-based approach focused on observable facts.

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Enlightenment Thinking in Criminology

Emphasis on reason, experience, and secular analysis over theological explanations. Focused on understanding crime through logic and observation.

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Universalism in Criminology

The belief that all human beings share fundamental characteristics and that laws governing human behavior are universal, regardless of culture or belief system.

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Crime as a Social Phenomenon

The idea that crime is a social phenomenon, meaning it arises from social conditions and can be influenced by them.

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Scope of Criminology

A field within criminology that examines the sociology of law, the causes of crime (criminal etiology), and the methods of punishment and treatment of offenders (penology).

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The Criminological Cycle

The process of making laws, breaking laws, and reacting to the breaking of laws.

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Criminology's Emphasis on Law and Justice

Criminology's focus on the role of law and the effectiveness of the justice system in preventing and controlling crime.

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Symbolic Interactionism in Criminology

A perspective emphasizing the meaning individuals assign to their actions, focusing on how social interactions shape behavior and perceptions.

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Marxist Criminology

Argues that crime stems from the inherent inequalities and power imbalances within a capitalist system.

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Feminist Criminology

Examines how gender roles and social constructs of femininity and masculinity influence crime patterns, particularly focusing on female experiences and inequalities.

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Examples of Crimes

Examples of crimes include murder, theft, robbery, and any act that violates the criminal law of a society.

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Psychoanalytic Criminology

A criminological approach inspired by Sigmund Freud, focusing on the subconscious mind's influence on criminal behavior. It suggests that crime arises from an imbalance between the id (instinctual desires), ego (mediator), and superego (moral compass).

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The Id

The id seeks immediate gratification of desires, regardless of social norms. It is the primal part of the subconscious, driven by impulses.

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The Superego

The superego represents morality and conscience, guiding behavior according to societal rules. It is the internalized voice of authority and societal values.

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The Ego

The ego acts as a mediator between the id's desires and the superego's restrictions, striving to fulfill desires within acceptable boundaries.

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Functionalist Criminology

A criminological perspective that views crime as a consequence of societal structures and functions. It suggests that crime fulfills specific roles within society, even if those roles are harmful.

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Functional aspects of Crime

Crime is considered functional when it strengthens social cohesion by highlighting shared values and promoting collective action against deviance. It can also serve as a catalyst for social change by exposing societal inequalities and prompting reforms.

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Dysfunctional aspects of Crime

Crime becomes dysfunctional when it disrupts social order, undermines trust, and reduces society's capacity to provide for its members' well-being. It can lead to fear, instability, and societal disintegration.

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Interactionalist Criminology

A criminological perspective that focuses on how individuals interact and interpret their social environments to develop their sense of self and their understanding of right and wrong. It suggests that crime emerges from social interactions and the meanings individuals ascribe to those interactions.

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Study Notes

Criminology Definitions

  • Criminology is a social science concerned with human behavior, particularly regarding crime and criminals.
  • It's a multi-disciplinary field drawing on legal scholars, philosophers, biologists, psychiatrists, psychologists, and sociologists.
  • Crime is viewed as a social construct, not an independent entity.
  • Criminology aims to understand crime and criminal behavior, including its causes, prevention, and control.

Objectives

  • Define criminology thoroughly.
  • Specify the scope and nature of criminology.
  • Understand societal norms and values.
  • Explain how values influence crime.

What is Criminology?

  • Criminology is the scientific study of crime.
  • It's separate from criminal detection or forensic science.
  • Criminologists primarily examine how and why crimes occur, rather than identifying perpetrators.

Branches of Criminology

  • Penology: Study of punishment and penal sanctions.
  • Victimology: Study and rehabilitation of crime victims.
  • Criminalistics: Investigative methods and techniques for detecting crime.
  • Administration of Criminal Justice: Deals with the courts and prisons.
  • Empirical Research: Analyzes crime data (e.g., arrests, convictions, sentencing)

Psychoanalysis

  • Crime and delinquency result from imbalances within the subconscious mind.
  • The id (instinctual desires), ego (mediator), and superego (moral conscience) are central.
  • Imbalances may lead to criminal or abnormal behavior.

Functionalism

  • Criminology should consider the societal functions of crime and how it influences social structures.
  • Crime can be functional (e.g., promoting social unity) or dysfunctional (undermining social order).
  • Societal expectations and structures should be considered.

Interactionism

  • Criminology should examine how individuals perceive crime in social interactions.
  • Focuses on the symbolism of interactions.
  • Looks at how social perceptions contribute to crime and behavior.

Marxism

  • Crime arises from wider societal conditions, specifically political economy.
  • Political economy shapes crime dynamics and societal structures.
  • Economic inequality influences crime rates.

Feminism

  • Economic disadvantage is a major cause of crime among women.
  • Social, economic, and cultural liberation can decrease traditional female criminality.

Conclusion

  • Criminologists mainly focus on criminal behavior as a social phenomenon.
  • Offenses violating the law are considered crime.
  • Certain actions, while potentially wrong, do not constitute crime in legal terms.

Assessment Exercise 1 Questions

  • Discuss the interdisciplinary or intradisciplinary aspects of criminology, focusing on Nigeria.
  • Detailed examination of the focus of a criminologist during an investigation.

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Definitions Of Criminology PDF

Description

This quiz explores the fundamental definitions and concepts of criminology. It covers the multi-disciplinary nature of the field, societal influences on crime, and the various branches within criminology. Ideal for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of crime and criminal behavior.

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