Criminology Theories: Conflict and Interactionist Models
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What is the primary focus of criminology as defined in the study?

  • The legal processes involved in criminal justice
  • The sociological impacts of crime on communities
  • The historical evolution of laws and regulations
  • The scientific study of crime and criminal behavior (correct)

    • Which of the following is a reason why criminology may not always be considered a science?

  • It does not use quantitative analysis.
  • It often lacks universal validity and acceptance. (correct)
  • Its methods are influenced by political perspectives.
  • It is based solely on case studies.

    • In what capacity is criminology considered an applied science?

  • It studies the philosophical implications of ethical crime theories.
  • It evaluates legal frameworks across different jurisdictions.
  • It focuses on the economic aspects of crime prevention.
  • It investigates the underlying causes of crime in society. (correct)

    • Which fields are applied in criminology for a comprehensive understanding of crime?

    <p>Anthropology, psychology, sociology, and natural sciences</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is criminology classified as a social science?

    <p>It views crime as an influence created by societal conditions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the conflict model primarily attribute crime to?

    <p>Social and economic inequality</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement best represents the interactionist model's perspective on deviance?

    <p>Acts are labeled as deviant based on societal reactions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to the conflict model, which of the following is a function of laws in society?

    <p>To maintain the dominance of powerful groups</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does the interactionist model explain the process of becoming a deviant?

    <p>By being labeled by society, especially by authority figures</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a primary criticism of the conflict model's view on crime?

    <p>It oversimplifies the complex nature of criminal behavior.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements best describes the principle of Logomacy?

    <p>No law means no crime exists.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What distinguishes motive from intent in the context of crime?

    <p>Motive is the moving power behind the act, whereas intent relates to choosing means.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What could potentially lead to an increase in chaotic behavior in society according to the information presented?

    <p>The abolition of criminal laws.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In the context of crime, which factor is crucial for an offender to successfully carry out an act?

    <p>Opportunity.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best represents the analogy of the Law of the Jungle in relation to societal laws?

    <p>It emphasizes how stronger individuals may dominate in an unregulated environment.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which three elements must be present for crime to occur, according to the triangle of crime?

    <p>Motive, Opportunity, and Capability</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is an example of an indirect expense associated with crime?

    <p>Building window grills</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which factor does NOT contribute to the destructiveness of crime?

    <p>Increased community engagement</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What aspect of society does the crime rate primarily reflect?

    <p>The effectiveness of social safety nets and police systems</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How is crime characterized in terms of its societal impact?

    <p>Pervasive and affecting various demographics</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best describes the concept of 'Criminal Etiology' in criminology?

    <p>The examination of the causes of crime.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which pillar of the Criminal Justice System in the Philippines is responsible for managing the custody of offenders?

    <p>Correction Pillar</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of the Prosecution Pillar in the Criminal Justice System?

    <p>To determine if sufficient evidence exists to charge someone.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does the 'Sociology of Law' contribute to the understanding of criminology?

    <p>By researching the process of making laws.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement correctly describes the dynamic nature of criminology?

    <p>Criminology evolves based on advancements in various sciences.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one significant role of the judiciary within the Court Pillar of the Criminal Justice System?

    <p>To ensure fair trials and protect individual rights.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the Penology division of criminology primarily focus on?

    <p>The prevention and treatment of offenders.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which agency is primarily responsible for maintaining law and order in the Philippines?

    <p>Philippine National Police (PNP)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What distinguishes an integrated theory from a general theory?

    <p>Integrated theory merges concepts from various sources.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is true about unicausal theories?

    <p>They suggest a singular origin for criminal conduct.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does the sociological approach contribute to understanding criminal behavior?

    <p>By analyzing the impact of social structures and environments.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a limitation of general theories in criminology?

    <p>They often fail to explain specific types of crime.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What aspect of criminal behavior does the multidisciplinary approach emphasize?

    <p>The necessity of considering various influencing factors.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following factors is least likely to contribute to criminal behavior?

    <p>Cultural background</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key distinction between criminal behavior and deviant behavior?

    <p>Criminal behavior has legal consequences while deviant behavior does not necessarily.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best describes human behavior?

    <p>A combination of psychological, biological, and environmental influences.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which factor is commonly associated with research into deviant behavior?

    <p>Socialization processes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is essential for criminologists when studying criminal and deviant behavior?

    <p>Understanding the multifaceted causes behind behaviors.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What factor does not significantly contribute to criminal behavior according to the established risk factors?

    <p>Genetic predisposition</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best describes the difference between criminality and delinquency?

    <p>Criminality is proven in court, whereas delinquency refers to actions not necessarily proven.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role does the community play in the criminal justice system?

    <p>It supports offender reintegration and crime prevention efforts.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    From which perspective is a person considered a criminal as soon as they violate a law?

    <p>Criminology Perspective</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements accurately describes due process?

    <p>It ensures that every individual receives a fair trial.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does deviance differ from delinquency?

    <p>Delinquency specifically concerns criminal acts committed by minors.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement accurately reflects the moral definition of criminal behavior?

    <p>It involves actions that benefit offenders but harm other members of society.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The etiology of crime seeks to identify which of the following factors?

    <p>Social, psychological, economic, and environmental factors</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is meant by social control in the context of deviance?

    <p>The enforcement of social norms through mechanisms like laws.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which example best illustrates the concept of deviance?

    <p>An individual painting graffiti in a public space.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What principle does the rule of law uphold within the criminal justice system?

    <p>It governs actions and decisions by established laws.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following defines juvenile delinquency?

    <p>Unlawful acts committed by minors that breach the law.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is the study of deviance and delinquency important?

    <p>To understand behaviors and effective prevention and rehabilitation strategies.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What principle is emphasized in Retributive Theory regarding punishment?

    <p>Punishment should be proportional to the harm caused.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following elements are necessary for crime to occur according to Routine Activity Theory?

    <p>A motivated offender, a suitable target, and the absence of a capable guardian.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In Classical Criminology, what is considered necessary for deterring crime?

    <p>Punishments must be swift, certain, and proportionate.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What underlying assumption does Rational Choice Theory make about criminals?

    <p>Criminals make calculated decisions based on perceived risks and rewards.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does Utilitarian Theory view the role of law and punishment?

    <p>As tools to maximize overall happiness for the greatest number.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which scholar is most closely associated with the principles of Classical Criminology?

    <p>Cesare Beccaria.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does Deterrence Theory suggest about the effectiveness of punishment?

    <p>Punishment must be certain, swift, and severe to deter criminal behavior.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What distinguishes Demonology Theory from other criminological theories?

    <p>It attributes crime to demonic possession and supernatural forces.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Conflict Model

    • Views crime as a product of social and economic inequality
    • Argues society is composed of groups with differing interests leading to competition and conflict
    • Those in power use the law and criminal justice system to control and oppress less powerful groups
    • Crime is a product of tensions and struggles between these groups
    • Laws often reflect interests of the powerful rather than a consensus

    Interactionist Model

    • Also known as labeling theory
    • Focuses on social interactions and meanings that influence behavior
    • Crime and deviance are not inherent characteristics of an act but are defined by society's reactions to those behaviors
    • Individuals become deviant when labeled as such by others, particularly those in authority
    • The label influences their identity and actions

    Criminology

    • The study of crime
    • Scientific study of crime and criminals, focusing on their behaviors
    • Objectives:
      • Develop general principles about law, crime, and crime prevention/treatment
      • Study criminal behavior, including motivating factors
    • Not always considered a science due to lack of universal validity and acceptance
    • Often varies regionally
    • Can be classified as a science due to focus on understanding social phenomena systematically and objectively

    Criminology as an Applied Science

    • Applies other fields such as:
      • Anthropology
      • Psychology
      • Sociology
      • Natural Sciences
      • Chemistry
      • Medicine
      • Physics
      • Mathematics
      • Ballistics
      • Polygraphy
      • Legal Medicine
      • Questioned Document Examination

    Criminology as a Social Science

    • Crime is a social phenomenon created and influenced by societies
    • The study of crime is part of social science
    • Criminology is dynamic and changes with advancements in other sciences
    • It is nationalistic and the study of crime is relative to the laws of a particular country

    Principal Divisions of Criminology (By Edwin Sutherland)

    • Sociology of Law (Making of Laws): Studies the development of criminal laws as formal social control
    • Criminal Etiology (Breaking of Laws): Examines the causes of crime
    • Penology (Reacting toward breaking laws): Focuses on the control, prevention, and treatment of offenders, particularly youth offenders

    Criminal Justice System (Philippines)

    • Framework for upholding the rule of law, protecting rights, and delivering justice
    • Composed of five pillars: Law Enforcement, Prosecution, Court, Correction, Community

    Law Enforcement Pillar

    • Agencies include the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)
    • Functions include:
      • Maintaining order
      • Preventing crime
      • Apprehending offenders
      • Investigating crimes
      • Gathering evidence
      • Arresting suspects

    Prosecution Pillar

    • Led by the Department of Justice (DOJ)
    • Determines if sufficient evidence exists to charge someone with a crime
    • Prosecutors represent the state in court, presenting evidence proving the accused's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt

    Court Pillar

    • Interprets and applies the law in the Philippines
    • Includes various courts:
      • Supreme Court
      • Court of Appeals
      • Regional Trial Courts
      • Lower courts
    • Ensures fair trials, protects rights, and serves justice

    Correction Pillar

    • Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) and other correctional institutions manage the custody, rehabilitation, and reintegration of offenders
    • Oversees:
      • Prisons
      • Jails
      • Rehabilitation centers
    • Facilitates opportunities for reform for convicted individuals

    Community Pillar

    • Plays a crucial role in supporting the reintegration of offenders, participating in crime prevention efforts, and upholding societal norms
    • NGOs, religious groups, and local communities collaborate with the government to prevent crime and help rehabilitate offenders

    Key Principles

    • Due Process: Ensures every individual receives a fair trial and their rights are protected throughout the legal process
    • Rule of Law: All actions and decisions within the system are governed by established legal principles and laws

    When does Crime Exist?

    • An act or omission is alleged as a crime or offense and filed in court (either through information or complaint)
    • The court decides the act or omission violated a criminal law

    Why does Crime Exist?

    • Due to the existence of law
    • Logomacy states "there is no crime if there is no law punishing it"
    • Eliminating crime requires abolishing criminal law, but this leads to chaos
    • Without law, the "Law of the Jungle" prevails (Survival of the Fittest, Matira ang Matibay)

    Elements of Crime

    • Motive (M): Moving power that compels someone to act for a specific result (different from intent)
      • Important only if felon's identity has not been clearly established
    • Opportunity (O): Chance or time given to the offender to commit a crime

    Crime is Pervasive

    • Affects nearly everyone in a society, regardless of age, sex, race, nationality, religion, financial status, or education

    Crime is Expensive

    • Government and private sector spend on crime detection, prosecution, correction, and prevention
    • Direct Expenses: Costs associated with police, security guards, judiciary, and prison system
    • Indirect Expenses: Costs associated with preventing crime (window grills, fences, gates, locks, safety vaults, etc.)

    Crime is Destructive

    • Results in the loss of human life (murder, homicide) and the destruction or theft of property (robbery, theft, arson)
    • Loss of human life is the highest price one can pay

    Crime is Reflective

    • The crime rate reflects the effectiveness of the social safety net, especially the police and related systems in place
    • People are more likely to be a victim of crime if they live in a high-crime area

    Criminal Behavior

    • Actions that violate societal laws and are subject to legal consequences
    • Influenced by individual traits (personality disorders, mental illness) and external factors (peer pressure, poverty, lack of education)

    Deviant Behavior

    • Actions that violate social norms but not necessarily laws
    • Researchers investigate why individuals or groups engage in activities deemed inappropriate by society
    • Factors include:
      • Cultural background
      • Socialization processes
      • Presence of subcultures

    Human Behavior

    • Encompasses the full spectrum of actions and mannerisms displayed by individuals
    • Understanding it involves exploring various influences:
      • Psychological
      • Biological
      • Environmental Factors
    • These factors shape how people act, including moral and ethical decision-making
    • Criminologists use these insights to identify the root causes of criminal and deviant acts
    • Understanding these insights is crucial to creating effective prevention and intervention strategies

    Crime and Criminal Behavior

    • Crime is progressive: Increases in volume due to population growth and the development of advanced criminal techniques
    • Crime is related to the development of technology
    • It is a complex phenomenon influenced by various factors, such as:
      • Social conditions
      • Economic factors
      • Psychological influences

    Who is a Criminal?

    • Legal Sense: Someone found guilty of a wrongful act during standard legal proceedings (requires a verdict of guilt)
    • Criminology Perspective: Someone who violates a law, even without a formal conviction
    • A violation of criminal law
    • Any action prohibited by the state and punishable by law

    What is the Moral Definition of Criminal Behavior?

    • An action that benefits the perpetrator but harms others
    • It is antisocial behavior

    Top Risk Factors for Criminal Behavior

    • Family issues
    • Mental illness
    • Peer pressure
    • Socioeconomic status

    Criminality and Delinquency

    • Criminality: Breaking penal or criminal laws (illegal, immoral, or deviant)
    • Delinquency: Illegal, immoral, or deviant behavior concerning societal values
    • Criminality is reserved for people found guilty in court, while delinquency describes actions in violation of societal norms but not necessarily proven in a court

    Etiology of Crime

    • The study of the origins and causes of criminal behavior
    • Aims to identify social, psychological, economic, and environmental factors that lead to crime
    • Theories span biological predispositions, psychological conditions, and the influence of societal structures

    Explaining Scope of Theory

    • General Theory: Attempts to explain all (or most) forms of criminal conduct through a single, overarching approach
    • Unicausal Theory: Posits only one source for all that they attempt to explain
    • Integrated Theory: Provides an explanatory perspective that merges (or attempts to merge) concepts drawn from different sources

    Sociological Approach

    • Focuses on the social environment and structures that influence individuals' behavior
    • Emphasizes how factors such as family, peers, education, socioeconomic status, and community impact criminal behavior

    Key Theories

    Demonology Theory

    • Crime and deviant behavior are the results of demonic possession or influence by evil spirits
    • Rooted in early religious and cultural beliefs
    • Not sociological, psychological, or biological as it is based on supernatural beliefs

    Classical Criminology Theory

    • Individuals have free will and make rational choices
    • People commit crimes after weighing the costs and benefits
    • Advocates for punishment that is proportionate, swift, and certain to deter crime
    • Contributors:
      • Cesare Beccaria (Essay on Crimes and Punishments, 1764)
      • Jeremy Bentham (Utilitarianism)

    Rational Choice Theory

    • Individuals make calculated decisions to commit crimes based on the perceived risks and rewards
    • Criminals are seen as rational actors who seek to maximize their benefit
    • Contributors:
      • Gary Becker (Economic Approach to Human Behavior)
      • Derek Cornish and Ronald Clarke (The Reasoning Criminal, 1986)

    Utilitarian Theory

    • The best action or policy is one that maximizes overall happiness or utility
    • Supports the idea of punishment and law as tools to achieve the greatest good for the greatest number
    • Contributors:
      • Jeremy Bentham (Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation, 1789)

    Retributive Theory

    • Punishment should be proportionate to the crime committed
    • Based on the principle of "just deserts," meaning offenders deserve to be punished because they have committed a moral wrong
    • Rooted in ancient legal and moral philosophy
    • Contributors:
      • Immanuel Kant (Philosophy of Law)

    Routine Activity Theory

    • Crime occurs when three elements converge:
      • A motivated offender
      • A suitable target
      • The absence of a capable guardian
    • Crime is seen as a normal function of the routine activities of everyday life
    • Contributors:
      • Lawrence Cohen and Marcus Felson (Social Change and Crime Rate Trends, 1979)

    Deterrence Theory

    • Individuals are deterred from committing crimes if they perceive the consequences (such as punishment) as certain, swift, and severe enough to outweigh the benefits of the crime
    • Contributors:
      • Cesare Beccaria (Classical Criminology)
      • Jeremy Bentham

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    Description

    Explore key criminological theories including the Conflict Model and the Interactionist Model, also known as labeling theory. Understand how social and economic inequalities shape crime and how society's reactions define deviance. This quiz will test your knowledge on the dynamics between power, law, and social interactions in criminology.

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