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Questions and Answers
What is a necessary condition for a person to be convicted of a crime?
What is the primary focus of psychocriminology when investigating a crime?
What is the term for the belief that the world is a just place where everyone gets what they deserve?
What is the definition of criminal behaviour?
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What is the purpose of theoretical perspectives on human nature in the context of crime?
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What is the primary assumption of classical theory regarding criminal behavior?
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What is the main goal of deterrence theory in crime prevention?
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What is the opposing view of classical theory in terms of free will?
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What is the purpose of harsh sentences in the context of deterrence theory?
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What is the underlying assumption of positivist theory regarding human behavior?
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What is the common thread between classical theory and modern approaches to crime prevention?
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What do biological antecedents refer to?
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Which of the following is a key assumption of the positivist school?
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What is the main goal of positivist theories in relation to crime?
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What is a fundamental difference between the classical and positivist views of crime?
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What is the main focus of the conformity perspective on human nature?
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What is the primary goal of theoretical perspectives on human nature in the context of crime?
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Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of the classical view of crime?
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What is the underlying assumption of the positivist school about human behavior?
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Study Notes
Crime Definition and Motivations
- Crime is defined as the conduct or failure to act in violation of the law, with possible penalties upon conviction.
- Criminal behavior involves violating the criminal code.
- To be convicted of a crime, a person must have acted intentionally and without justification or excuse.
Psychocriminology Investigation
- Psychocriminology considers various factors when investigating a crime, including:
- Motivations behind the crime (e.g. greed, jealousy)
- The individual's psychological makeup
- Mental processes
- Emotions
- Personality or mental disorders
Theoretical Perspectives on Human Nature
- Theoretical perspectives are used to explain why people commit certain crimes in specific ways.
- One such perspective is the just-world hypothesis, which suggests that people believe the world is a just place where everyone gets what they deserve.
Theories of Crime
Classical Theory
- Emphasizes free will and personal responsibility
- Individuals have control over their actions and choices
- Severe punishment can deter criminal behavior
- Examples: surveillance cameras, harsh sentences
Deterrence Theory
- Modern form of classical theory
- Assumes individuals choose to commit crimes, but can be persuaded not to under threat of punishment
- Even if not deterred, punishment is still necessary as crime is an expression of free will
Positivist Theory
- Emphasizes determinism, opposing free will
- Antecedents (prior experiences or influences) determine behavior
- Biological antecedents: genetics, biology, environment
- Social antecedents: negative experiences, lack of education
- Human behavior governed by causal laws, free will undermined
Positivist vs. Classical View
- Positivist: criminal behavior result of social, psychological, and biological influences
- Classical: emphasizes free will, but acknowledges social and psychological influences
- Both perspectives agree on holding individuals responsible for their actions
Theoretical Perspectives on Human Nature
- 3 major perspectives:
- Conformity perspective: humans as creatures of conformity
- Nonconformist perspective: humans as nonconformists
- Learning perspective: humans as learners
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Description
This quiz delves into the world of crime, exploring the definitions and motivations behind criminal behaviour. It also touches on psychocriminology and what factors are considered during an investigation.
