Theories of Violence and Psychodynamic Theory

The internalized set of moral rules and values that guide our behavior, often shaped by external influences.

The part of the mind that is responsible for our conscious thoughts, feelings, and actions.

The part of the mind that contains our basic instincts and desires, like the drive for pleasure.

The part of the mind that represents our internalized moral compass, often based on societal rules and values.

The stages that individuals progress through as they develop, each stage representing a different set of challenges and tasks.

The idea that individuals must successfully complete each stage of development in order to move on to the next.

A measure of an individual's cognitive ability, often measured through standardized tests.

The potential link between lower intelligence and a higher likelihood of engaging in criminal behavior.

A theory that explains criminal behavior by linking biological and psychological factors, like intelligence and personality, with social factors, like family life and subcultures.

Freud believed that human nature is naturally selfish and animalistic, and good behavior requires socialization to control these instincts.

Freud emphasized the importance of early childhood experiences in shaping a person's personality and influencing their behavior throughout life.

Freud's concept of the subconscious mind highlights the presence of impulses and motivations that we are not aware of, affecting our behavior.

Freud believed that our personality is largely established by the age of five, with early experiences leaving a lasting impact.

A state of social disarray where norms are unclear or in flux, often caused by rapid societal changes, leading to feelings of instability and uncertainty.

Theories that explain crime as a result of social strain, arising from a disconnect between culturally defined goals and the legitimate means to achieve them.

Areas characterized by physical decay, lack of social cohesion, high crime rates, and often associated with poverty and unemployment.

The process by which middle-class residents leave urban areas for suburbs, often due to perceived problems like crime, poverty, or declining quality of life.

Describes a cycle where deteriorating areas attract crime, which further discourages residents and businesses, leading to more decline and crime.

The withdrawal of economically productive residents from a city or neighborhood, leaving behind a population with fewer resources and contributing to further decline

Economic conditions where there is a significant change, either from good to bad or bad to good, often associated with increased social strain and anomie.

The belief that crime in disorganized areas is often driven by economic or expressive motivations, with limited opportunities for legitimate success.

This theory focuses on the social and economic disadvantages experienced by certain groups, leading to feelings of frustration and resentment, potentially driving them towards criminal activity.

This theory suggests that the key factor influencing criminal behavior isn't absolute deprivation (like being poor) but rather the perceived gap between one's own situation and the situation of others. Seeing others have more, even if you are not that bad off, can lead to resentment and crime.

The theory of relative deprivation is highlighted by comparing the promotion rates in the Army Air Corps (Air Force) during WWII to the regular Army. The Air Force had a slower promotion system, but those within it didn't feel as deprived as those in the Army, who saw many promotions, but also many people getting left behind.

This theory views criminal behavior as a product of the have-nots observing the privileges of the haves and feeling discontent due to the disparity, leading them to potential criminal actions to acquire what they perceive as rightfully theirs.

These theories examine how social organization influences individual behavior. They focus on how different groups within society, particularly subcultures, develop unique responses to their circumstances, which may deviate from mainstream social norms.

Subcultures are groups whose norms and values deviate from the mainstream, middle-class values. These groups adapt to their unique social conditions, which could sometimes lead to criminal behavior.

A set of beliefs and values that prioritize strength, dominance, and a willingness to use violence to prove one's worth and maintain control.

The idea that individuals within a subculture learn to value and use violence as a means of resolving conflicts, often due to experiences of poverty, discrimination, and lack of opportunities.

The belief that individuals are helpless to change their circumstances and are subject to the whims of fate, often leading to fatalistic attitudes and acceptance of violence as a way of life.

An element of the subculture of violence where individuals see themselves as having limited control over their lives and are highly sensitive to perceived threats to their autonomy, leading to a greater likelihood of using violence to defend their perceived freedom.

The idea that the subculture of violence can contribute to higher rates of violent crime in certain regions, such as the Southern United States, where a history of violence, honor codes, and social norms related to defending one's honor can lead to more frequent use of violence.

A study conducted by Loftin in the early 1970s that challenged the southern subculture of violence theory by suggesting that poverty, rather than regional culture, is the primary contributing factor to higher homicide rates.

The theory that certain subcultures may value violence more than others, which could explain differences in crime rates across different groups. However, this theory has been criticized for lacking evidence of actual membership and acceptance of subcultural norms, relying instead on correlational data.

The use of violence to defend one's honor or to retaliate against perceived offenses. This belief is often rooted in a sense of chivalry and the importance of maintaining social standing.

This theory suggests that criminal behavior results from failures in the social order, rather than inherent badness in individuals. It argues that crime is a product of societal structures and interactions.

This theory posits that individuals develop a sense of self through ongoing interactions with others, shaping their beliefs and behaviors. It highlights the role of social contexts in influencing crime.

This theory emphasizes that societal reactions to crime, particularly labeling, can contribute to continued criminal behavior. It argues that being labeled as deviant can create a self-fulfilling prophecy.

This theory proposes that criminal behavior is learned through interactions within small, intimate groups, where individuals pick up techniques and rationalizations for engaging in crime.

This theory argues that criminal behavior is not inherent but is a product of society's response to it. It emphasizes the role of societal labeling and the impact of social structures in shaping criminal behavior.

This theory suggests that the initial causes of crime are less important than the reactions to it. It focuses on the impact of societal reactions in shaping individuals' criminal careers.

This theory posits that individuals are not inherently criminal but become criminal due to social and environmental factors. It highlights the role of social structures and interactions in creating criminal behavior.

This theory emphasizes the influence of social groups and their norms in shaping criminal behavior. It suggests that individuals conform to the norms of their group, which can lead to both pro-social and criminal behavior.