Introduction to Criminological Theory

Social disorganization leads to weakened institutions that fail to control individual behavior, resulting in increased crime due to lack of community bonds and poor communication.

Strain theories assume that individuals will commit crime due to strain, stress, or pressure, particularly when they feel unable to achieve societal goals like the 'American Dream'.

Factors include parental rejection, child abuse, bullying, and a lack of coping skills, leading to the development of alternative values and criminal behavior for self-worth.

<p>Humans learn behaviors through association and experiences, establishing patterns based on positive or negative reinforcements.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Micro level learning refers to the idea that criminal behavior is learned through interactions in personal groups, where meanings and values influence one's decision to obey or break the law.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>According to control theories, social controls such as family, school, and religious institutions prevent individuals from committing crimes by fostering strong emotional bonds.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Individuals who commit crimes are often impulsive, insensitive to others' suffering, short-sighted, and exhibit low self-control.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Rapid social change, such as transitioning from farming to industrial lifestyles, creates strain and confusion, preventing the normalization of new social values, which can lead to crime.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The absence of a capable guardian facilitates criminal events by reducing barriers to crime, such as lack of supervision or security measures.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Positivist theorists used empirical evidence and scientific inquiry to identify causes of crime and improve societal conditions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Cesare Lombroso believed certain physical attributes indicated criminality, claiming that a third of criminals were evolutionary throwbacks.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>They believed that intelligence was innate and static, linking lower intelligence with higher rates of criminal behavior.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Contemporary theories acknowledge that biology, including genetics and neurological factors, plays a significant role in influencing criminal behavior.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The Chicago School focused on the differences between locations and their impact on crime rates rather than on individual traits.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The 'zone of transition' was characterized by condemned buildings, disrepair, and higher concentrations of transient populations.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Biological factors like neurotransmitters and hormones interact with psychological traits such as impulsivity and empathy to influence criminal behavior.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>It aims to explain the causes of crime and make sense of our observations.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Punishments should fit the crime and be proportional to the offense.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Humans are rational and pursue their self-interests.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Utilitarianism holds that actions are right if they promote the greatest happiness for the greatest number.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>It suggests that there will always be individuals who will seize opportunities to commit crimes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>General deterrent aims to deter crime in the entire population, while specific deterrent targets individual offenders.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Neoclassical perspective incorporates the idea of mitigating circumstances that can affect culpability.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Spiritual explanations attributed criminal behavior to possession by evil spirits or sin.</p> Signup and view all the answers