Podcast
Questions and Answers
Which approach did early South African criminologists move away from due to negative connotations associated with it in the West?
Which approach did early South African criminologists move away from due to negative connotations associated with it in the West?
Who was a sociologist with strong opinions on race and had much to do with the introduction of apartheid?
Who was a sociologist with strong opinions on race and had much to do with the introduction of apartheid?
What is the contemporary criminological approach now accepted by many South African criminologists?
What is the contemporary criminological approach now accepted by many South African criminologists?
Which of the following is not a universally applicable crime theory according to the text?
Which of the following is not a universally applicable crime theory according to the text?
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Why is it extremely difficult to apply psychological tests such as IQ and personality tests designed for Western cultures in Africa?
Why is it extremely difficult to apply psychological tests such as IQ and personality tests designed for Western cultures in Africa?
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What is the difference between criminological theories and factors according to the text?
What is the difference between criminological theories and factors according to the text?
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What does Cohen warn about social crime theories arising in one country?
What does Cohen warn about social crime theories arising in one country?
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Why is there little criminological literature originating from Africa?
Why is there little criminological literature originating from Africa?
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What is the aim of the United Nations' Africa Institute for the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders?
What is the aim of the United Nations' Africa Institute for the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders?
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What is the main reason attributed to crime in Africa according to the available literature?
What is the main reason attributed to crime in Africa according to the available literature?
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What was the focus of traditional African law?
What was the focus of traditional African law?
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What is the negative influence of the Western legal system on the crime phenomenon in Africa?
What is the negative influence of the Western legal system on the crime phenomenon in Africa?
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What was the precolonial African approach to righting wrongs and restoring law and order?
What was the precolonial African approach to righting wrongs and restoring law and order?
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Why has the United Nations' Africa Institute for the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders been hampered?
Why has the United Nations' Africa Institute for the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders been hampered?
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What are the two types of victims that contemporary Africa focuses on?
What are the two types of victims that contemporary Africa focuses on?
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What is the percentage of the South African population that is younger than 19 years of age according to the latest census?
What is the percentage of the South African population that is younger than 19 years of age according to the latest census?
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What does Asuni (1992) regard as an important cause of crime in Africa?
What does Asuni (1992) regard as an important cause of crime in Africa?
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What is the view of Mushanga (1992) and Kibuka (1980) on preventing and controlling crime in Africa?
What is the view of Mushanga (1992) and Kibuka (1980) on preventing and controlling crime in Africa?
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What are the two criminology theories that South African criminologists tend to support?
What are the two criminology theories that South African criminologists tend to support?
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Who were the first South African criminologists trained by and who influenced them?
Who were the first South African criminologists trained by and who influenced them?
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What does Bonger attribute as the main causes of crime?
What does Bonger attribute as the main causes of crime?
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Which of the following factors is NOT listed as a cause of crime in South Africa?
Which of the following factors is NOT listed as a cause of crime in South Africa?
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What is a possible consequence of the marginalization of youth in South Africa?
What is a possible consequence of the marginalization of youth in South Africa?
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What is a possible consequence of the ready access to firearms in South Africa?
What is a possible consequence of the ready access to firearms in South Africa?
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What is a possible consequence of inadequate support and services for victims of crime in South Africa?
What is a possible consequence of inadequate support and services for victims of crime in South Africa?
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What is a possible consequence of poverty, unemployment, and relative deprivation as a result of apartheid in South Africa?
What is a possible consequence of poverty, unemployment, and relative deprivation as a result of apartheid in South Africa?
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What is a possible consequence of the political culture of violence and crime in South Africa?
What is a possible consequence of the political culture of violence and crime in South Africa?
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What is a possible consequence of certain economic developments in South Africa?
What is a possible consequence of certain economic developments in South Africa?
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What is a possible consequence of the justification of crime in political terms in South Africa?
What is a possible consequence of the justification of crime in political terms in South Africa?
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What is a possible consequence of the absence of a national consensus on crime in South Africa?
What is a possible consequence of the absence of a national consensus on crime in South Africa?
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Study Notes
Early Criminological Approaches
- Early South African criminologists moved away from biological determinism due to its negative Western connotations relating to racial superiority and eugenics.
Influence of Sociologists
- Sociologist Daniel François Malan had strong views on race and played a significant role in the introduction of apartheid in South Africa.
Contemporary Criminological Approach
- Current accepted approach among South African criminologists includes social constructionism, focusing on societal factors influencing crime.
Universally Applicable Crime Theory
- Certain crime theories, such as those based solely on individual psychological traits, are not universally applicable across different cultures and contexts.
Psychological Testing Challenges
- Applying Western psychological tests like IQ and personality assessments in Africa is challenging due to cultural differences and contextual relevance.
Criminological Theories vs. Factors
- Criminological theories explain general patterns of crime, while factors pertain to specific circumstances influencing crime in particular contexts.
Cohen's Warning on Social Crime Theories
- Cohen cautions that social crime theories developed in one country may not be suitable or applicable in different sociopolitical environments.
Criminological Literature in Africa
- There is minimal criminological literature from Africa, often due to a lack of funding and investment in research.
UN Africa Institute Goals
- The United Nations' Africa Institute is aimed at preventing crime and ensuring proper treatment of offenders, focusing on rehabilitative rather than punitive measures.
Main Crime Causes in Africa
- Available literature generally attributes crime in Africa to socio-economic factors like poverty, unemployment, and political instability.
Traditional African Law Focus
- Traditional African law emphasizes community restoration, conflict resolution, and communal well-being over punitive measures.
Influence of Western Legal Systems
- The Western legal system has negatively influenced African crime phenomena by imposing foreign norms that may not align with local practices and values.
Precolonial African Justice Approach
- Precolonial Africa emphasized reconciliation and restorative justice to restore order rather than punitive actions.
Challenges Faced by the UN Institute
- The operation of the UN Africa Institute is hampered by limited resources, governmental restrictions, and lack of cooperation from local entities.
Focus on Victims in Contemporary Africa
- Contemporary African criminology focuses on two victim types: direct victims of crime and societal victims impacted by criminality.
Youth Demographics in South Africa
- According to the latest census, over 50% of the South African population is younger than 19 years of age.
Causes of Crime in Africa
- Asuni highlights socio-economic inequalities, particularly resource misallocation, as a significant driver of crime in Africa.
Views on Crime Prevention
- Mushanga and Kibuka argue for comprehensive community-based approaches to prevent and control crime, addressing root causes rather than symptoms.
Supported Criminology Theories
- South African criminologists often support social disorganization and critical criminology theories that analyze structural inequalities in society.
Early South African Criminologists
- The first South African criminologists were trained by European scholars, particularly influenced by British and European criminology perspectives.
Causes of Crime According to Bonger
- Bonger attributes crime primarily to economic inequalities and social injustice, linking social conditions directly to criminal behavior.
Non-listed Causes of Crime in South Africa
- Factors such as religion or spiritual beliefs are not explicitly listed as causes of crime in South Africa in the available literature.
Consequences of Youth Marginalization
- Marginalization of youth in South Africa can lead to increased involvement in gangs and criminal activities due to lack of opportunity and support.
Access to Firearms
- Ready access to firearms in South Africa correlates with higher rates of violent crime, posing significant public safety risks.
Victim Support Consequences
- Inadequate support and services for crime victims can result in ongoing trauma and reluctance to report future crimes.
Link Between Socio-economic Issues and Crime
- Poverty, unemployment, and relative deprivation have intensified crime rates as a result of the historical context of apartheid in South Africa.
Political Culture of Violence Consequences
- A prevailing culture of political violence in South Africa can normalize crime and undermine legal institutions and respect for the law.
Economic Developments' Impact
- Certain economic developments may lead to increased inequality, which could drive criminal behavior as marginalized populations struggle for resources.
Crime Justification
- Justification of crime in political terms can blur the lines between criminal behavior and political action, complicating law enforcement efforts.
Absence of National Consensus
- The lack of a national consensus on crime leads to fragmented approaches in policy-making and criminal justice, exacerbating the issue of crime overall.
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Description
"Test Your Knowledge on the History of Criminology in South Africa: From Communism to Race and Crime" - This quiz will challenge your understanding of the evolution of criminology in South Africa, from its early focus on communism to the later emphasis on race and crime. Explore the works of influential criminologists like Venter and Cronjé and uncover the historical context that shaped their theories.
