Untitled Quiz

Grading

Assignment 1: 10%
Assignment 2: 15%
Midterm 1: 20%
Midterm 2: 20%
Final Exam: 35%

Sept 6 --- Lecture 2

Laws intended to "balance" the criminal justice system were introduced when Stephen Harper was in office (2006-2015).
Since Justin Trudeau became Prime Minister in 2016, the media highlights correctional system problems impacting criminalized individuals.
Emphasis on how laws have changed since 2015
Focuses on a psychological understanding of criminal behavior
Macro Level: societal factors
Meso Level: community and organizational factors
Micro Level: individual-level factors
Terminology: Crime, delinquency, criminal behavior, criminal justice, criminology, law, justice, punishment, correctional psychology, and more.
Police-reported crimes are called incidence rates.
The Crime Severity Index (CSI) is used to measure the seriousness of crime.
Sentence lengths vary significantly based on the crime, the individual, and other factors.
Significant differences in crime rates exist between genders and ethnic groups.
Crime victimization surveys highlight concerns about personal safety, fear of crime, and property loss.
The cost of crime includes financial, social, and psychological costs.
Personal costs of crime include physical injury, psychological trauma, and financial loss.
Criminal sanctions in Canada: probation, conditional sentence, imprisonment.
Basic facts about Canada's correctional services include the number of inmates, the cost of operations, and the types of programs offered.

Sept 9 --- Lecture 3

Correctional psychology careers include assessments, treatment, and research.
Methodology Terminology: correlational research, risk factors, causal factors, and crime.
Cross-sectional research examines different groups at one point in time.
Longitudinal research follows the same group over time.
Central Eight Risk/Need Factors:
Criminal History
Antisocial Personality Patterns
Antisocial Attitudes
Antisocial Associates
Family/Marital Problems
Lack of Educational/Vocational Achievement
Substance Abuse
Leisure/Recreation Problems
Assessment and treatment approaches include risk assessments, needs assessments, and therapy.
General Responsivity Principle: addresses the need to tailor interventions to the individual's learning style and ability level.
Specific Responsivity Principle: emphasizes the importance of matching treatment interventions to the individual's specific needs and risk factors.

Sept 11 --- Lecture 4

MAOA gene is a gene linked to aggression and antisocial behavior.
Biology and evolution play a role in understanding criminal behavior.
Cesare Lombroso developed the theory of the "born criminal" based on physical characteristics.
Charles Darwin's theory of natural selection can be misused to justify racism and prejudice.
A strong theory is testable, falsifiable, and supported by evidence.
Causal mechanisms: explain how one factor influences another.
Mediators explain the process by which effects occur.
Moderators influence the strength or direction of a relationship.
Key terminology: Genetics, environment, heritability, genotype, phenotype, and more.
Twin studies are used to study the relative contributions of genetics and environment on behavior.
Family matters significantly in shaping one's risk for criminal behavior.
Molecular genetics research examines specific genes and their role in crime.
Low MAOA gene variant can be associated with increased aggression in certain situations.
Neurochemistry and crime:
Hormonal imbalances can influence criminal behavior.
High testosterone levels are associated with aggression.
Neurotransmitters and crime:
Dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine play critical roles in mood, cognition, and behavior.
Low serotonin levels are linked to impulsivity and aggression.
Psychophysiology and crime:
Physiological responses, like heart rate, blood pressure, and skin conductance, are studied for their relationship to criminal behavior.

Sept 13 --- Lecture 5

Phineas Gage's case demonstrated the impact of brain damage on personality and behavior.
Chris Benoit's case showed a possible link between brain injury and violence.
Brain imaging techniques like MRI and PET scans are used to study brain structure and function.
Research examines areas like the prefrontal cortex, amygdala, and hippocampus, for their potential roles in criminal behavior.
Neuropsychology focuses on the relationship between brain function and behavior.
Other biological considerations: diet, toxins, and pregnancy.
Neurotoxins during brain development can significantly influence behavior.
Alcohol and recreational drug use can impair judgment and increase aggression.
Fetal development:
Research suggests a link between prenatal exposure to alcohol or drugs and criminal behavior.
Proximal explanations focus on immediate causes of behavior.
Distal explanations address evolutionary and adaptive factors that might influence criminal behavior.
Basic principles of evolution and evolutionary psychology:
Natural selection drives adaptation based on survival and reproduction.
Evolutionary psychologists analyze how our ancestors’ behaviors impacted their survival and reproduction.
Hunters and gatherers faced different challenges that shaped human behavior.
Evolutionary psychology offers a framework to understand the genetic and environmental factors that contribute to criminal behavior.
Life history theory suggests different behavioral strategies based on environmental conditions.
Fast life strategy: characterized by early reproduction, high risk-taking, and aggression.
Slow life strategy: delays reproduction, favors long-term planning, and cooperation.
Life history theory helps understand the individual differences in antisocial behavior.
The fast life strategy can contribute to antisocial behavior in certain contexts.
Sexual coercion can be explained by evolutionary principles.
Psychopathy can be viewed as a genetic adaptation, though the debate continues.
Sneaker salmon, an aggressive adaptation, can be linked to psychopathy.
Homicide can be understood through an evolutionary perspective.
Female-perpetrated crime:
Women may use different strategies for achieving reproductive success, and those could include criminal behavior.