Theories of Crime Flashcards

classical theory (criminology)

classical theory (criminology)

• crime is calculated and rational

• person chooses to commit a crime once they determine that the benefits outweigh the risks

  • ignores crimes of passion & factors outside of individual control

positive theory (criminology)

• correlates biological factors (e.g. brain and hormone disorders & heredity) with criminal behaviour

• these are the reason for criminal activity & therefore need treatment and not punishment

• nature as opposed to nurture

• commit crimes for reasons outside of an individuals control

psychoanalytic theory (psychology)

• based on freud’s theory

  • id = impulses

  • superego = controls the impulses

  • ego = tries to satisfy the id’s desires in a socially appropriate way

• people commit crimes when their superego isn’t fully developed, so they feel no remorse

• superego fails to properly develop when kids don’t have strong connections to adult figures b/c they are emotionally/physically unavailable

moral development theory (psychology)

• individuals develop through stages where they learn about right and wrong and how to morally reason

• people commit crimes b/c they skip or stagnate during moral development stages and thus don’t know right from wrong

personality theories (psychology)

• tries to show how personal characteristics tie into criminal behaviour

• e.g. aggression, lack of anger management, lack of remorse, lack of empathy for others, impulsivity, etc

consensus theory (sociology)

• assumes a universal understanding of right and wrong

• individuals who commit crimes are not in alignment w these conventional values (don’t identify w them)

conflict theory (sociology)

• social groups struggle to maintain or gain power and crimes are a result of people being unable to legally obtain this goal

• different social groups/classes/cultures have different expectations → laws tend to support the interests of economically/politically advantaged groups

interactionist theory (sociology)

• behaviour of criminals once they have started illegal activities

• association w criminals and acquiring a criminal identity leads to a continuing of criminal behaviours

• people surrounded by criminals are more likely to partake in crimes - you become who you engage w

social control theory (sociology)

individuals with weak bonds to traditional institutions are more likely to be involved w crime bc institutions control behaviour