Chapter 02 Criminological Theory PDF

02 - The origins of criminological theory: early explanations of crime and deviance Reasons of criminal acts: Complex motivations: socioeconomic status, psychological issues, and environmental influences. Spectrum of crime: exists on a spectrum. Gender trends: recent stats show an i...

02 - The origins of criminological theory: early explanations of crime and deviance Reasons of criminal acts: Complex motivations: socioeconomic status, psychological issues, and environmental influences. Spectrum of crime: exists on a spectrum. Gender trends: recent stats show an increase in women's crime rates. Theories: · Provides structure for explaining an incident on the basis of empirical evidence. Abstract ideas: foundation for researching and guiding hypothesis. - - Imperial research methods: crucial for verifying and validating theories. - - Paradigm: · Bias and power dynamic: paradigms are influenced by societal biases, and dominant groups, - - = Paradigms can shift through changing values and events Supernatural [prescientific] theories: Deviance in the 15th century was explained by supernatural belief systems. · = E.g: demonic possession and witchcraft = Was "treated" by exorcisms, and burning at the stakes Because of its existence harsh punishments were often justified, and - discrimination against marginalrized groups wasn't viewed as abnormal. Supernatural influence on deviant behaviour is still very believed in by certain societies. It is punishable by law if used to scam an individual. - Social Control was maintained by enforcing fear of the supernatural.. Scientific criminology: early attempts Cesare Lombroso [1835 - 1909] - Biological Determinism Theorized that criminals had distinct biological features - "Atavistic traits" Certain individuals are "born criminals". Criminal profiling: despite its early practice being inaccurate Cesare Beccaria [1738 - 1794] - Classical Criminology Supported reforming crime control and the ethics of punishment Advocated for rationalizing and humanizing the Criminal Justice system. Deterrence: punishment should be swift and appropriate according to the - - severity of the crime. Legal rights: pushed the idea of criminal protection and the due process - - model. - Justice can be manipulated through bribery, corruption, and favouritism.. Jeremy Bentham [1748-1832] - Utilitarian and Rational Choice Theory Human behaviour was driven by seeking pleasure to avoid the pain Hedonism: a belief that self-pleasure is above all. Rational choice: individuals weigh the risks before committing a crime.. Panopticon: made a prison design for continuous surveillance, this also promoted self-regulation among themselves Psychological theories: · Individual factors: emphasizes psychological aspects that influence criminal behaviour · Impaired thought patterns: cognitive distortions and personality disorders may lead to criminal actions. · Learning theory: criminal behaviour is learned through social interactions, environmental factors, and peer groups.  John Dollars and Colleagues - Frustration-Aggression Hypothesis Frustration-Aggression Hypothesis: individuals feeling frustrated may channel their feelings into aggression. Unresolved conflicts lead to criminal acts sociological perspective: Èmil Durkheim [1858 - 1917] - Functionalism and Anomie Crime is a natural, and necessary part of society that can reinforce social - norms and promote social change. Anomie: when societal norms are unclear., leading to confusion about acceptable behaviour. Crime and deviance are seen as normal. Strong integration reduces anomie [Social Bonds] - = Too much or too little integration can lead to deviance Anomie arises when regulation breaks down - Loss of one's self, and breakdown of Robert Merton [1910 - 2003] - Strain Theory Expanded on how societal pressure to achieve success can lead to deviance Strain Theory: everyone adapts to strain in their own way. Some may turn to deviance when experiencing failure in achieving an important goal. · Cultural Goals & Institutional Means: different societal aspirations and legitimate ways to achieve them. Goals and means vary by cultures. Individual Adaptations: Conformity: accepting both goals and means - Innovation: accepting goals but using illegitimate means to achieve them - - Ritualism: abandoning goals but rigidly adhering to means - Retreatism: rejecting both goals and means - Rebellion: rejecting established rules and making new ones - - - Edwin Sutherland [1883 - 1950) - Differential Association Theory Individuals learn criminal behaviour through social interactions and is not biological.. It is learned through family, friends, and peers. They also develop motives, attitudes - and rationalizations that justify their behaviour. - There is a balance between favourable and unfavourable to crime. If the balance tips in favour to crime, the person is most likely to follow crimes path.. There needs to be a balance. Youth Gangs: over time members learn to abide by the rules of said gangs. They develop the idea of "us against the system" and use that to justify their - - actions. - Long-term exposure and frequent occurrence of emotional relationships with deviant individuals lead to criminal activity. White-Collar Crime: individuals in corporate settings learn crimes through - their colleagues and superiors. - Subcultural & control theories: Subcultural Theory: deviant subcultures promote normalcy of criminal behaviour. - - Focuses on the influence of group dynamics on individuals. - Control Theory: strong social bonds reduce the likelihood of deviance. - Attachment: emotional connection to loved ones discourage crime - Commitment: investment in activities decreases crime - Involvement: active participation in societal activities decreases crime - Belief: acceptance of societal norms influences conformity - - Skyes & Matza - Techniques Of Neutralization Offenders use rationalization to justify their actions. - Denial of Responsibility.: blaming external circumstances for their actions - Denial of Injury: minimizing harm caused by their actions - Denial of Victim: seeing the victim as deserving of the crime -  Condemnation of the Condemners: deflecting guilt by attacking critisizes - Appeal to Higher Loyalties: justifying actions to show loyalty to a group - Questions: 1. What were Cesare Beccaria's key ideas about the legal system and punishment? 2. What was problematic abut early criminal typologies? 3. How were supernatural beliefs used as mechanisms of Social Control? 4. How does corruption impact fairness in the legal system? 5. How does Utilitarian relate to crime? 6. How does Anomie relate to crime in social change? 7. How does Strain Theory relate to Anomie?