Psychology of Crime Causes
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Questions and Answers

What is a primary reason that some individuals succumb to their weaknesses?

  • Lack of faith in their internal resources (correct)
  • Overreliance on physical strength alone
  • Strong support from their community
  • Excessive confidence in their abilities

What aspect do most criminals typically neglect, leading to their downfall?

  • Social interactions
  • Financial stability
  • Mental and emotional balance (correct)
  • Physical strength

Which of the following is NOT listed as a detrimental attribute that can lead to crime?

  • Ambition
  • Envy
  • Compassion (correct)
  • Anxiety

Which strategy is suggested for overcoming weaknesses?

<p>Art therapy solutions (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What can happen when individuals delink from their source or Higher Power?

<p>Engaging in inappropriate actions (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is highlighted as necessary to resist weaknesses and demons?

<p>Courage and strength (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the content suggest about the natural state of humans?

<p>Humans possess a natural inclination toward good (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What can serve as an indicator that someone is in a wrong state of mind?

<p>Feelings of frustration and anger (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do familial relationships influence a person's likelihood of engaging in criminal behavior?

<p>Neglect and abuse can lead to a life of crime. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant contributor to crime related to mental health?

<p>Depression and serious mental disorders can lead to criminal behavior. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does substance abuse relate to criminal behavior?

<p>Drug and alcohol addiction can lead individuals to commit crimes to fund their habits. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What effect does time spent in prison have on individuals?

<p>Conditions in prisons can worsen criminal behavior. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does peer influence contribute to criminal behavior?

<p>Belonging to a gang can provide social respect through criminal acts. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role do socioeconomic factors play in crime?

<p>Socioeconomic challenges can lead to an increased risk of single parenthood and crime. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT related to criminal behavior?

<p>High self-esteem. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a common misconception about individuals with mental disorders and criminality?

<p>All individuals with mental disorders end up in crime. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How can unfair rulings in the correction system contribute to crime?

<p>Victims of unfair rulings can feel compelled to engage in criminal behavior. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How is family violence associated with crime?

<p>Victims of family violence often go on to commit crimes. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary consequence of overpopulation as discussed?

<p>Scarcity of resources (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to strain theory, what drives individuals to commit crimes?

<p>Social strains related to financial mobility (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What unintended effect can welfare programs have on society?

<p>Rise in welfare dependency (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does racism contribute to crime rates?

<p>By creating social unrest and tension (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant influence of television violence on youth?

<p>Prompts imitation of violent acts (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role does regionalism play in crime?

<p>Causes unrest among communities (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What psychological cause often leads individuals to commit crimes?

<p>Poor judgment (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does growing up in a dysfunctional family potentially impact an individual?

<p>Greater criminal involvement (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What family conditions often contribute to criminal behavior?

<p>Abusive or neglectful situations (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What impact does poverty have on crime globally?

<p>Drives individuals to desperation and crime (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following was identified as a factor contributing to poverty-related crime?

<p>Unemployment (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why might people continue to support ineffective government programs?

<p>Belief in the programs' effectiveness (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a consequence of living in deprived neighborhoods?

<p>Increased crime rates (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What factor can lead individuals to become victims of crime without intent to cause harm?

<p>Chain of events (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What has been observed regarding racial disparities in crime rates?

<p>Often linked to systemic discrimination. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does global inflation relate to crime rates?

<p>Decreases personal income which may lead to crime (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is often a misconception about the relationship between poverty and crime?

<p>Poverty has no relation to crime (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect is a significant psychological weakness that can contribute to crime?

<p>Lack of self-control (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What influence does media have on perceptions of violence among children?

<p>Media's portrayal may lead children to accept violence as normal. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What misconception about crime arises from governmental welfare policies?

<p>They inadvertently lead to increased social issues. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What societal factor can influence young people's tendency to engage in crime?

<p>Commercial values promoting materialism (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best explains the relationship between crime and homelessness?

<p>Poverty-related stress contributes to both. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What do deprived neighborhoods typically lack that contributes to higher crime rates?

<p>Social amenities (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a factor mentioned as contributing to crime?

<p>Good family environment (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which outcome is likely for youths in deprived neighborhoods who fail to escape poverty?

<p>They are likely to become gang members (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What concept relates to unfairly holding a defendant responsible for harm caused by uncontrollable circumstances?

<p>Causation in fact (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential outcome for children raised in dysfunctional families?

<p>They may engage in criminal behavior (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How can feelings of discrimination in neighborhoods influence crime rates?

<p>They may incentivize individuals to commit crimes (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'but for' imply in a legal context?

<p>Without the act, the harm would not have occurred. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors is NOT associated with poor parenting leading to a child's aggressive behavior?

<p>Supportive family environment (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one statistic related to fatherless homes and behavioral disorders?

<p>85% of children exhibiting behavioral disorders come from fatherless homes. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which environmental factor is suggested to potentially influence crime rates during winter?

<p>Milder winters (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What major issue is often attributed to overpopulation?

<p>Strain on societal resources (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What phenomenon occurs when a jury cannot reach a unanimous decision?

<p>Hung jury (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How are fatherless homes linked to youth incarceration?

<p>Youths from fatherless homes have a greater tendency towards behavioral issues. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does overpopulation exacerbate in developing countries?

<p>Resource conflicts (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which is NOT a consequence of living in a fatherless household?

<p>Lower rates of criminal behavior (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What legal principle did the Supreme Court apply in the case of Yeager v. United States?

<p>A valid acquittal on one count prevents retrial on others. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors is associated with aggression according to crime scientists?

<p>warmer temperatures (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of children with behavioral disorders comes from fatherless homes?

<p>85% (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a reason for increased crime associated with overpopulation?

<p>Social frustration (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a common effect of inadequate parental guidance on children?

<p>Increased vulnerability to negative influences (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is least likely to influence youth crime rates?

<p>School lunch programs (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Weakness

A state of being vulnerable to negative influences and actions due to a lack of internal strength or willpower.

Human Goodness

The inherent goodness within all humans, which can be overridden by negative forces like destructive emotions.

Internal Weapons

Inner forces that help resist negative influences, such as courage, compassion, and self-discipline.

Physical Imbalance

The state of being overly focused on physical strength, neglecting mental and emotional development.

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Source (Higher Power)

The belief in a Higher Power or guiding force beyond ourselves, which connects us to our true purpose.

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Wrong Actions

Actions taken while disconnected from our true selves, leading to harmful consequences.

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Harmony and Balance

The pursuit of developing physical, mental, and emotional strengths to overcome weaknesses.

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Human Desire to Do Well

The genuine desire within each human to do good, even when influenced by negativity.

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Poor Judgment

A major contributing factor to crime, where individuals commit offenses due to a perceived lack of understanding or disregard for right and wrong. Often, offenders may not see their actions as truly wrong, believing they are justified or that they can avoid consequences.

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Psychological Weakness

This encompasses individuals who succumb to peer pressure or external influences, leading them to engage in criminal activities.

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Lack of Love and Respect

The absence of love, respect, and tolerance in an individual's upbringing can contribute to a lack of empathy and compassion, potentially leading to criminal behavior.

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Poverty as a Cause of Crime

Poverty can drive individuals towards criminal activities as they struggle to meet basic needs or acquire desired material possessions. Feeling deprived can lead to desperation and a willingness to take risks.

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Deprived Neighborhoods and Crime

Deprived neighborhoods, lacking essential services and opportunities, often experience higher crime rates. The feeling of being trapped in a cycle of poverty can lead young people to resort to crime.

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Victim in a Chain of Events

A person who gets caught up in a chain of events that ultimately leads to criminal activities. This may involve situations where the person didn't intend to break the law but found themselves in a harmful situation.

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Causation in Fact

The defendant's act must be the direct cause of the victim's harm. It means the harm would not have occurred 'but for' the defendant's actions.

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Legal Causation

The defendant's act must be legally recognized as a cause of the harm, even if other factors contributed. The law determines whether the defendant's actions should be held responsible for the harm.

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Poor Parenting Skills

A parenting style characterized by inconsistent discipline, lack of supervision, and family dysfunction. It can contribute to childrens' aggression, delinquency and criminal behavior.

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Fatherlessness

The absence of a father figure in a child's life. It is linked to a higher risk of negative outcomes such as behavioral disorders, delinquency, and substance abuse.

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Ecological Factors

The impact of environmental factors, such as temperature, on crime rates. Warmer temperatures are thought to increase aggression and criminal activity.

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Fraudulent Court Rulings

Court rulings that conflict or contradict previous decisions, creating confusion and inconsistency in the legal system. It can lead to double jeopardy situations and undermine the fairness of legal proceedings.

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Overpopulation

The rapid increase in the global population, putting a strain on resources and social systems. This can contribute to poverty, crime, conflict, and environmental degradation.

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Poverty

A state where people are unable to meet their basic needs due to a lack of money or resources.

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Strain Theory

A theory suggesting that individuals commit crimes due to social pressures and limited opportunities to achieve financial success through legal means.

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Welfare State Safety Net Policies

Government programs designed to provide assistance to people in need, such as welfare, financial aid, and housing.

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Backfire Effect of Welfare Programs

The belief that these programs fail to achieve their goals and can even lead to negative consequences, like reliance on government support and increased crime.

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Racism

Treating people differently based on their race, leading to unfair treatment and discrimination.

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Racial Discrimination and Crime Link

The idea that personal experiences with racism can directly contribute to criminal behavior.

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TV Violence and Crime

The influence of violent content in television on viewers, especially children, potentially motivating them to imitate violent behavior.

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Regionalism and Crime

The influence of regional identity and loyalties on criminal behavior, often leading to conflict between different communities.

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Family Conditions and Crime

The idea that negative experiences in the family environment, like abuse or neglect can contribute to a life of crime.

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Mental Illness and Crime

Mental health conditions like depression can significantly increase the risk of criminal behavior.

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Drug Addiction and Crime

Drug addiction often compels individuals to engage in illegal activities to fund their habit.

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Alcohol and Crime

Excessive alcohol consumption can impair judgment, leading to impulsive and harmful actions that wouldn't occur sober.

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Unfair Rulings and Crime

Individuals who experience unfair legal outcomes may feel unjustly labeled as criminals, potentially leading them to further criminal activity.

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Prison System and Crime

Prison environments can create a breeding ground for criminal behavior due to the lack of rehabilitation and negative influences.

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Peer Pressure and Crime

The influence of peers, particularly within gangs, can strongly influence an individual's decision to engage in criminal activities.

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Gang Influence and Crime

The pressure to conform to a group's expectations, particularly within gangs, can lead to participation in criminal activities to gain respect and acceptance.

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Neglect and Crime

Neglect during childhood can lead to emotional and social problems, increasing the likelihood of criminal behavior later in life.

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Family Violence and Crime

Family violence and instability, particularly during formative years, can significantly increase the risk of developing criminal tendencies.

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Poverty and Crime

Poverty and lack of opportunities can create a sense of desperation and hopelessness, leading individuals to engage in criminal activities to meet their needs.

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Study Notes

Top Causes of Crime

  • Weakness: People commit crimes due to weaknesses like fear, ignorance, hatred, and other negative emotions. Lack of faith in inner strengths (courage, tolerance) and an imbalance between physical and mental/emotional strength contribute to weakness. This ultimately stems from detachment from a higher power.
  • Poor Judgment: Lack of education, improper role models and a lack of understanding of right vs. wrong lead to poor judgment. Perpetrators may not perceive their actions as wrong, or think they can get away with them. Psychological weakness is also a contributing factor, as is susceptibility to pressures from criminal gangs.

Other Factors Contributing to Crime

  • Lack of Love: A dysfunctional family environment, poverty, and discrimination can lead to a lack of love, respect, and tolerance for others. While many facing these struggles don't turn to crime, the lack of these fundamental social elements can contribute to a propensity for criminal activity.
  • Poverty: Poverty is a significant driver, compounded by societal pressure to acquire material goods regardless of the means. Unemployment further exacerbates this pressure.
  • Deprived Neighborhoods: These areas often lack amenities and opportunities, leading to frustration and a perceived need for crime to escape poverty.
  • Chain of Events: Individuals may be pulled into criminal activities by circumstances beyond their control, especially those with a lack of discipline or from dysfunctional homes. Causation analysis must consider the complexities of circumstances that lead someone to commit crimes.
  • Poor Parenting: Harsh/erratic discipline, lack of parental control, supervision, and monitoring, parental conflict, and family dysfunction are all contributing factors in a child's susceptibility to criminal behavior. Family issues including an alcoholic or criminal parent, strongly influence a child's outlook on the world and actions.
  • Fatherlessness: A strong correlation exists between fatherlessness and various social ills, including crime. Studies indicate significantly higher rates of harmful behaviors (e.g., suicide, behavioral disorders, running away, etc.) in fatherless households.
  • Ecological Factors: Warmer temperatures might lead to increased aggression and crime.

Systemic and Social Causes

  • Fraudulent Court Rulings: A jury's bias, confusion, or lack of care for the prosecutor can lead to not-guilty verdicts unrelated to guilt or innocence and thus the possibility of retrial. Verdict discrepancies can influence the likelihood of future crimes.
  • Overpopulation: Increased population pressure on resources, economic hardship, and social unrest contribute to crime.
  • Economic Deprivation (Poverty): Poverty and financial desperation can lead individuals to desperate criminal acts to meet basic needs.
  • Politics: Government policies, particularly welfare programs, can inadvertently contribute to social breakdown, poverty, and crime.
  • Racism: Racial discrimination and prejudice can lead to feelings of marginalization and injustice, influencing criminal behavior. Individual experiences of discrimination are implicated in offending.
  • TV Violence: The frequent depiction of violence on TV and other media desensitizes viewers and may lead to violent behavior.
  • Regionalism: Regional divisions and prejudices may contribute to crime and conflicts.
  • Family Conditions: Issues such as abuse, neglect, and violence within families increase the likelihood of criminal behavior. Single-parent households, particularly those with single mothers and youthful parents, are disproportionately affected by economic hardship and other factors.
  • Psychological Disorders (Depression, Substance Abuse): Mental health issues, including depression and substance abuse, can make individuals more susceptible to committing crimes. Medication, substance use and their impacts are crucial but overlooked factors when assessing crimes.
  • Peer Influence/Gang Warfare: Peer pressure and gang involvement can motivate individuals to commit crimes for acceptance and respect within the group.
  • Victim of Unfair Rulings/Prison System: Unjust rulings and poor-quality prison conditions can lead to criminal recidivism and feelings of despair. Overcrowding and lack of rehabilitation further contribute to criminal behavior within the prison system.

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Explore the psychological and social factors that contribute to criminal behavior. This quiz covers weaknesses, poor judgment, and the impact of love and support systems in preventing crime. Test your knowledge on the roots of criminal activity and its complexities.

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