Theories of Crime Flashcards

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