Introduction to Criminology Theories

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Questions and Answers

Which of the following best describes the focus of criminology theories?

Developing methods for rehabilitation of convicted offenders.

Understanding the motivations behind criminal behavior and the factors that influence it. (correct)

Evaluating the effectiveness of law enforcement agencies.

Analyzing the political structures that create laws.

A 'typical offender' profile, often cited as 18-24 year old male, may limit understanding of crime because it:

Highlights the demographic that are more likely to get arrested due to targeted policing.

Excludes the analysis of motivations that apply to different age and gender demographics. (correct)

Reflects the typical age and gender that engage in petty crimes.

Provides a basic framework for researchers so that they are not overwhelmed.

Which of these questions best captures the nature vs nurture debate relevant to criminology?

Which is the most effective policing practices in reducing crime rates?

How can we reform prison systems and improve offender rehabilitation?

How does the criminal justice system use punishment and to what effect?

Are criminal behaviors innate or acquired through learned behaviors, societal factors and environment? (correct)

Which perspective in criminology is most likely to explore the role of evil spirits in human behavior?

Demonological (A) Signup and view all the answers

The classical perspective of criminology assumes humans are:

Rational and hedonistic. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which perspective analyzes criminal behavior based on factors like poverty, unemployment, and disorganized neighborhoods?

Structural Perspective (B) Signup and view all the answers

The statement 'No man ever gave up his liberty merely for the good of the public' aligns with which concept?

Hedonism (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of a positivist approach to understanding criminal behavior?

The biological and psychological factors impacting individuals. (B) Signup and view all the answers

According to Merton's strain theory, what is the primary cause of deviant behavior?

A disconnect between culturally desired goals and the legitimate means to achieve those goals. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which perspective suggests that criminal behavior is not just about monetary success but also about expressing frustration?

Sub-cultural Theory (B) Signup and view all the answers

According to conflict theory, what is the role of the criminal justice system in a capitalist society?

To serve as a tool of injustice, often targeting lower classes while overlooking the actions of the upper class. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Social process theories view human nature as what?

A blank slate, meaning people develop based on their environment (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of these is NOT considered a structural causative factor as outlined in the text?

Inherent biological pathology (C) Signup and view all the answers

According to the provided information, what is a primary factor in how people learn deviant behavior?

Interactions with significant others. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What 'cruel dilemma' is referenced in the beginning of the text?

Pursuing the American dream OR abiding by the law. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a direct feature of conflict theory?

Deviant or criminal behavior is passed down from parents to children through genetics. (D) Signup and view all the answers

According to social learning theory, how does criminal behavior primarily develop?

Via interactions within intimate social groups, including rewards and punishments for behaviors. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is a core idea of differential association theory?

Behavior varies depending on the social groups with which a person associates. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the social control (bonding) perspective regarding criminal behavior?

All individuals are capable of crime, but strong social ties deter such behavior. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What does Matza's concept of 'drift' refer to in the context of criminal behavior?

An individual's ability to move in and out of deviant social groups. (B) Signup and view all the answers

According to labeling theory, what is the decisive factor in determining whether a behavior is considered 'deviant'?

The social processes by which certain behaviors are classified and categorized as such. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which concept involves the justification of criminal actions to reconcile them with conventional values?

Techniques of neutralization (D) Signup and view all the answers

What do poor primary relationships and weak self-control primarily lead to in the presented framework?

An increased chance of deviance and offending (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the key commonality between social learning theory and differential association?

They both focus on learning from interactions with others as the primary cause of criminal behaviour. (C) Signup and view all the answers

According to the provided text, why did individuals unite in society, sacrificing a portion of their liberty?

To escape the constant state of war and attain peace and security. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Based on the text, what is a critical assumption underlying the concept of free choice?

Individuals possess the capacity for rational thought and decision making. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the central idea of positivism in criminology as described in the text?

Criminal behavior is rooted in biological or psychological abnormalities. (B) Signup and view all the answers

How do structural theories explain criminal behavior?

Criminality is primarily driven by external factors such as economic strain and inequality. (D) Signup and view all the answers

According to strain theory described in the text, what is a core value shared by most members of society, including those who commit crimes?

Emphasis on achievement and success (C) Signup and view all the answers

According to Beccaria, what is a likely outcome if two crimes that do not equally harm society receive an equal punishment?

People will be more likely to commit the greater crime if it presents an advantage. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is 'atavism', as mentioned in the text under positivism?

The idea of an evolutionary throwback to a more primitive stage. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What does the text suggest regarding the relationship between social structures and criminality?

Social structures have an extremely large influence that can cause criminality. (C) Signup and view all the answers

How does the 'vandal' label change the interpretation of an individual's actions?

It leads to interpretation of future activity as vandalism, not art. (B) Signup and view all the answers

According to the content presented, what is the nature of labels?

They are a significant agent of marginalisation, causing conformity. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What does a 'conservative' perspective suggest, concerning the origin of laws?

They emerge from shared values and consensus. (B) Signup and view all the answers

From a 'liberal' viewpoint, what function does law serve?

A symbolic function (inclusion/exclusion) and outcome of diversity. (B) Signup and view all the answers

How would a radical perspective likely view social order?

As a construct resulting from political and economic power. (B) Signup and view all the answers

How does a 'Social Process' perspective view the cause of crime?

Deviant peers (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is a 'post-modern' perspective, concerning the consumption of sex workers?

Society's structure promotes the consumption of women. (D) Signup and view all the answers

According to the content, what is the role of law from a radical perspective?

To justify its existence and reproduce social order. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which theorist is most associated with the concept of 'edgework' in cultural criminology?

Lyng (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best characterizes the work of Sutherland in relation to criminology?

Emphasis on social learning and differential association (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which theoretical perspective primarily explores the link between body type and personality traits in relation to criminal behavior?

Positivism (Biological) (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which theorist is most closely associated with the development of the concept of labeling theory?

Lemert (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a key concept within the social ecology of crime?

The distribution of crime across urban areas (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which work is a key text often cited in the context of classical criminology?

Essay on Crimes and Punishment (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which theoretical perspective emphasizes the role of societal structures and inequalities in generating crime?

Conflict and Marxist Theories (A) Signup and view all the answers

According to strain theory, what is a key factor leading to criminal behavior?

Lack of access to legitimate means to achieve cultural goals (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which theory places a strong emphasis on the influence of peers by emphasizing differential association and how this leads to crime?

Social Learning Theory (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following theories argues that the legal system is used as a form of control and maintains inequality?

Marxist Criminology (D) Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Exam Information

Exam will cover: History of Criminology, Policing, CJS, and Theory Overview
Exam will cover all readings and all class content
Format: Online in Brightspace
Mix of multiple choice, true/false, and essay questions
No review class on Monday, but regular class time for studying is available

Understanding Causal Theories

Criminology theories seek to understand motivations for criminal behaviour
Are some motivations more acceptable than others? Do motivations change?
What is a typical offender profile? (e.g., 18-24 male) and how does this limit understanding?
Is a "general theory" possible (one size fits all)?

Understanding Causal Theories: Nature vs Nurture

Nature: factors like brain, education levels, biology, personality
Nurture: factors like family, unemployment, and disorganized neighborhoods
Relationship between internal and external factors (fixed vs. dynamic)?
Role of gender, sexual orientation, race, and ethnicity in criminal behaviour?
Can criminal behaviour be stopped? (individually or collectively?)

Criminological Theories (Perspectives)

Individual: Demonological, Classical, Positivist
Structural: Ecology, Strain, Sub-cultural theories, Conflict
Social Processes: Social Learning, Social Control, Differential Association, Drift, Labeling
Postmodern: Constitutive, Edgework

Is Human Behaviour Determined or Freely Willed?

Individual perspectives focus on the source of human behaviour
Demonological: Evil spirits
Classical: Man is hedonistic
Positivist: Criminal Man
Theories like Classical and rational choice assume humans are independent, aware, reflective, self-interested, in control, and rational decision-makers.

Classical Theory: The Freely Acting Agent

Hedonism: Individuals seek pleasure and avoid pain.
Free will & rationality: Laws create order to limit war and chaos. People sacrifice some freedoms.
Punishment: Equal punishments for equal crimes, discouraging crime. Greater incentives for more severe crimes.

Do We Choose Freely?

Free choice requires several assumptions:
Ability to act as individual units with a range of possible actions.
Ability to differentiate between actions and alternatives.
Ability to control actions and consequences.
Capacity for reason.
Rational basis for selection of actions.

Positivism: The Criminal Man

Biological: Atavism (evolutionary throwbacks), biological abnormalities, body type (Lombroso), inherited feeblemindedness
Psychological: Unconscious forces shaped in childhood, criminal personality

Structural Theories

Influence of internal or external forces on behaviour
Structural theories: individual actions influenced by external factors.
Relevant external factors: Economic strain, disorganized communities, class, race, gender inequality, major social systems

Strain Theory

Robert K. Merton's theory
Basic values: emphasis on achievement and success.
Lower class limitation on avenues for success
Dilemma of abandoning values or abandoning obedience to the law.
Disconnect between desire to achieve goals and ability to achieve them.

Strain Theory (Continued)

American Dream disconnect from reality.
Means to achieve goals: conformity, innovation, ritualism, retreatism, rebellion.

Focuses on aspects of the physical environment and their influence on crime and social problems.
Zones in the city with various levels of crime, indicating social disorganization and concentration of poverty.

Sub-Cultural Theory

Certain groups marginalized by society, not just individuals.
Criminality: not simply about monetary success, but also about expressing frustration and developing alternative opportunity networks.

Conflict Theory: Marx

Crime as a byproduct of capitalism.
Exploitation of the working class (low wages, high cost of living).
Domination of lower classes by upper class, leading to injustice.
Criminal Justice System as a tool for injustice - unfairly targeting lower classes.

Summary (Individual and Structural Causation)

Interaction of individual pathology/decision making and external factors.

Deviance as learned behavior
Learned through interactions with significant others:
People learn to offend and not offend
How individuals adopt a deviant identity.
Human nature as blank slate (tabula rasa) initially assimilating surrounding culture, unless other patterns in conflict.

Socialization Processes Into Offending

Poor primary relationships
Weak bonds or poor self-control
Rationalizing deviant behavior
Situational learning and reinforcements.

Criminal behavior learned through interaction with intimate social groups (family and friends).
Learning involves reward/punishment, observation of others, and pride in certain behaviors.
Reinforcement and punishment for criminal behaviors learned through observation.

Differential Association

Similar to social learning
Recognizes variance in behavior due to association with different groups (parents vs. university peers)
Crime as a fluid process, not static.

All capable of committing crimes but bonds with others prevent it.
Strong social ties make one more invested in what others think, leading to conforming to collective values.

Drift and Neutralization

Gang members able to drift in/out of a group..
Conventional and delinquent values overlapping (excitement, risk-taking).
"Techniques of neutralization" or rationalization. Redirecting negative behaviors to avoid conflict with mainstream values.

Labeling

Social processes where individuals/groups label others' behaviours.
Criminality doesn't exist; behaviors become deviant because they are labeled as such.
Example: graffiti as vandalism instead of art.
Labels lead to social reactions and internalization, potentially marginalizing individuals further.

Purpose of Law and Societal Perspectives

Conservative, Liberal, and Radical perspectives on law and society.
Different perspectives on the source and purpose of law, as well as the effects of and on social constructs.

Applying Theory: Sex Work

Different theoretical perspectives on sex work.
Applying individual, structural, social process, and postmodern theories to explain the cause and consequences of engaging in sex work (sex trafficking etc).

Why is it Important to Understand the Nature of a Causal Explanation (Theory)?

Implications for all areas within criminal justice: law enforcement, crime prevention, and related areas in the courts and prisons.

Studying That Suits You

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Description

This quiz explores various criminology theories and perspectives that explain criminal behavior. It covers concepts like the nature vs nurture debate, classical and positivist approaches, and Merton's strain theory. Test your understanding of how societal factors influence crime and the role of individual psychology.