Podcast Beta
Questions and Answers
What are the primary characteristics of criminal thinking, according to Yochelson and Samenow?
What personality traits are associated with increased offending behavior?
What theory suggests that individuals will behave antisocially unless they learn not to?
What is a significant aspect of psychopathic behavior according to Hare's PCL-R?
Signup and view all the answers
What developmental stage involves individuals considering the legality of stealing as a deterrent?
Signup and view all the answers
According to Stimulation-Seeking Theory, why do psychopaths engage in thrill-seeking behaviors?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following is NOT one of the four contributors to crime in the developmental sequence?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a common form of misconduct among law enforcement officials?
Signup and view all the answers
What was a common characteristic among boys responsible for school shootings?
Signup and view all the answers
Which theoretical foundation posits that crime results from social or cultural forces?
Signup and view all the answers
How do biological explanations of crime differentiate between influences?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following is a common aspect of psychological theories of crime?
Signup and view all the answers
In the context of the Virginia Tech massacre, what was one of Seung-Hui Cho's characteristics?
Signup and view all the answers
Which statement best reflects the Positivist School's view on punishment?
Signup and view all the answers
Which factor is often underestimated in educational settings regarding aggression?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a noted issue with the conclusions of the Positivist School of Criminology?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Virginia Tech Massacre
- Date: April 16, 2007; perpetrator: Seung-Hui Cho, a senior at Virginia Tech.
- Incident involved killing 32 people and wounding 17; two separate attacks occurred approximately two hours apart.
- Cho committed suicide after the attacks.
Common Characteristics of Boys Responsible for School Shootings
- Persistent fascination with firearms and atypical experiences with them.
- Experiences of isolation, rejection, and difficulty relating to peers, particularly girls.
- Preoccupation with graphically violent media such as music, internet sites, and video games.
- Often face teasing related to physical appearance; many are frail or obese.
- History of angry brooding tied to their status as perceived social outcasts.
- Often develop detailed plans for aggression, frequently communicated to others in advance.
- Bullying is prevalent in educational settings; unreported aggression often underestimates the problem.
Theoretical Foundations of Crime
Modern Theories of Criminal Behavior
- Derives from the Positivist School of Criminology, utilizing the scientific method and empirical analysis.
- Older methods lack credibility; emphasis on fitting punishment to the individual rather than the crime itself.
Theories of Crime Explanations
- Sociological Explanations: Crime arises from social or cultural forces.
- Biological Explanations: Focus on genetic influences, neuropsychological issues, and biochemical irregularities; child and twin studies highlight inherited tendencies toward crime.
- Psychological Theories: Emphasize individual cognitive and emotional differences contributing to criminal behavior.
- Psychoanalytic Theories: Crime results from a weak ego and superego that cannot control antisocial id impulses.
Criminal Thinking Patterns
- Yochelson and Samenow propose that criminals exhibit fundamentally different thinking patterns that are erroneous and irresponsible.
Personality-Based Explanations of Criminality
- Low levels of agreeableness and conscientiousness correlate with higher offending rates.
- Psychopathy: Characterized by deceitful, manipulative behavior and lack of remorse; measured by Hare PCL and PCL-R.
Causes of Psychopathic Behavior
- Potential left hemisphere deficiencies affecting behavior regulation and executive functioning.
- Stimulation-Seeking Theory suggests that psychopaths engage in thrill-seeking to increase sensory input and arousal.
Social-Psychological Theories of Crime
- Control Theory: Suggests individuals will behave antisocially unless they learn otherwise.
- Learning Theory: Describes how individuals acquire antisocial behaviors, emphasizing cognitive and observational learning.
- Cognitive Development Theory: Argues offenders fail to develop moral judgment past the pre-conventional level, with distinct stages in moral reasoning from childhood to adulthood.
Integration of Theories of Crime
- No single cause for crime exists; contributors follow a sequence:
- Antecedent conditions
- Early indicators
- Developmental processes
- Maintenance factors
Psychology of Police
Misconduct by Law Enforcement Officials
- Common misconduct involves manipulation during identification procedures and coercion of false confessions, along with other deceptive practices.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
This quiz explores the tragic case of the Virginia Tech Massacre, examining the perpetrator's background and the characteristics of school shooters. It delves into the broader context of school violence in the United States and the societal implications of such incidents. Gain insight into the patterns and motivations behind criminal behavior in educational settings.
