Psychology Chapter 9: Murder

Chapter 9: Murder

• Types of Murder: Serial, mass, and spree murders are distinguished by the number of victims, locations, and time intervals.
• Serial Murder: Killing of multiple victims over an extended period (weeks, months, or years).
• Mass Murder: Killing of four or more victims at a single location and time.
• Spree Murder: Killing of multiple victims at two or more locations with little to no time between killings.
• Relationship between Aggravated Assault and Murder: Murder often stems from aggravated assault, where violence is used to resolve conflicts.
• Homicide: The most serious violent offense, often with witnesses and evidence. Racial disparities in arrest rates exist for violent crimes.
• "Terrible Triad": A combination of bedwetting, fire-starting, and cruelty to animals in childhood, potentially linked to an increased risk of becoming a serial killer.
• Cultural, Criminal, and Situationally Violent Offenders: Culturally violent offenders believe violence is acceptable in their culture or community. Criminally violent offenders use violence as a tool for criminal acts. Situationally violent offenders may act violently under provocation, often regretting their actions. Violence in the workplace is a category of crime within the workplace or environment.
• Organized vs. Disorganized Serial Killers: Organized killers tend to be highly intelligent, plan their crimes, and take steps to conceal evidence and dispose of victims. Disorganized killers are less likely to take preemptive steps and display a lack of planning for concealment.

Chapter 10: Property Crimes: Theft & Larceny

• Property Crimes: Property crimes involve taking or damaging someone else's possessions without their consent. These crimes are often the first crimes to be punished by the law.
• Theft/Larceny: Taking of property without the owner's consent is a basic offense. The perpetrators can range from professionals to amateurs.
• Occasional Property Crimes: Individuals engage in property crime sporadically and lack specialized knowledge or techniques.

Vandalism, Professional Robbers, Graffiti

• Vandalism: Willful destruction of property without owner consent.
• Predatory Vandalism: Vandalism for financial gain.
• Professional Robbers: Commit crime as a profession.
• Graffiti: Various graffiti categories like gang graffiti (marking territory), tagger graffiti (quick, often unsophisticated markings), and ideological graffiti (conveying political or social messages).

Arson, Motor Vehicle Theft, Public Order Crimes

• Arson: Willful or attempted malicious burning of a structure often for profit, revenge or concealment.
• Motor Vehicle Theft: Many categories exist, including joyriding (temporary), short-term transportation, long-term transportation, and profit motivated (highly organized).
• Public Order Crimes: Crimes without victims that are illegal because they violate public morality. Example Broken Windows, and the need to regulate deviant (criminal) conduct. Example: activities that can disrupt social, commercial, and political life.