CRIM Ch 5

Demonological theory

supernatural explanations of criminality dominated thinking from early history well into the 18th century

Classical theory

contained in the writings of Beccaria and Bentham, these theories assume that criminals are rational actors who weigh the pleasure and pain of an activity

Utillitarianism

a practical philosophical view that claims “we should always act so as to produce the greatest possible ratio of good to evil for all concerned

Hedonism

a pleasure-seeking philosophy

Neoclassical theory

new classical theories that view crime as influenced by criminal opportunities to commit crime

Deterrence theory

the criminal is a rational actor and will be deterred by more severe and certain punishment

Rational Choice theory

offenders weigh the opportunities, costs, and benefits of particular crimes

Retribution

the social counterpart of individual revenge

Deterrence

refers to the belief that perceived punishment will serve as a warning and inhibit individuals and groups from involvement in criminal activity

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Incapacitation

the prevention of crime by keeping criminals behind bars for longer periods

Rehabilitation

assumes that the purpose of punishing criminals is to reform or resocialize them to conventional, law-abiding values

Protection

the upholding of social solidarity

If you argue that people commit crime bc they are possessed by the devil, you are using a ___ theory of crime

Demonological

Beccaria argued that the seriousness of a crime is determined by the harm it causes society

true

According to hedonism, we are motivated to act based on our desire to seek ___

pleasure

Rational choice theory proposes that people do not weigh the costs and benefits of their actions before engaging in them

False

Ecological school

criminological theory is also referred to as the statistical, geographic, or cartographic school

Ecology

that branch of biology that deals with interrelationships between organisms and their environment

Statistical

the first to attempt to apply official data and statistics to the problem of explaining criminality

Geographical and cartographic

tended to rely on maps and aerial data in their investigations

Quetelet’s theory

that violent crime increases toward the equator

Economic theory

influenced by the writings of karl marx and views inequality and capitalism as the causes of crime

Proletariat

refers to the working class in marx’s writings

Bourgeoisie

marx’s term for the capitalists or owners of industry

Theory

a plausible explanation of given reality