Criminology- Midterm 1

Why do research methods matter?

It matters because it better understands crime patterns, helps create policies and criminal justice interventions

What is Inductive Reasoning?

A method of reasoning. Researchers develop a theory and then use data and testing to see if it works

What is Deductive Reasoning?

The process of developing valid inferences. Using data to develop a theory

What are Quantitative Research Methods?

The process of collecting and analyzing numerical data

What are Qualitative Research Methods?

Information is gained through non numerical data such as interviews

What is Mixed Method Research?

Combining numerical and interview based research to gain the best understanding

What is the Uniform Crime Reporting Survey

All offences reported to the police are turned into data to measure crime characteristics across the country

What are the three research principles when it comes to Indigenous Methodology?

Respect, Responsibility, and Reciprocity

What Biological Factors are studied when it comes to Criminal behaviour?

The main research factors are genetics, brain processing, and physiology

Who was Franz Gall?

He was a physiologist who developed a pseudoscience theory where the shape of the skulls indicates personality traits and who would commit crime. It was believed due to Confirmation Bias; people with a certain skull shape weren’t hired and couldn’t find a place to live, so they would resort to stealing and a life of crime, proving his theory

What was Cesare Lombroso’s Atavism Theory?

His theory was that some people were born criminals and their physical traits proved this

What is the difference between Positive and Negative Eugenics?

Positive Eugenics encourages reproducing desirable traits while Negative Eugenics tries to prevent reproducing undesirable traits

What emotions do neurotransmitters regulate?

Neurotransmitters regulate impulse control, aggression, and emotional regulation

Critiques of Biological Determinism?

Correlation does not equal causation, ignores social context, misinterpreting cultural behaviors

What are Psychological Theories used for?

These theories are used to explain certain behaviors/reasoning. Used in social programs to help people

Why is Individual Psychology looked at?

Studies how people react to their emotions, and how impulsivity causes crime

What are Cognitive Distortions/Faulty Thinking?

Irrational thoughts impact how a person perceive their surroundings, emotions, and how they act

What is Moral Disengagement?

Certain behaviors/actions can be justified by some people even though they are immoral

What is Hostile Attribution Bias?

The actions of others are viewed as threatening, even when they aren’t

What is Cognitive Behavioral Theory?

The belief that criminal behavior can be unlearned. Focuses on reforming minors with social programs

What is Evolutionary Psychology?

Studies how criminal behavior may have developed due to evolution. Different method to studying mental illness and inherited traits

What is Cultural Psychology?

How behavior and cultural norms are perceived by other cultural beliefs

What are Social Structure Theories?

Crime is shaped by social environments, not just by individual choices. Focuses on what leads people to commit crimes

What were Emile Durkheim’s main theories?

Crime is normal in all societies, but it should be monitored; it can help define moral boundaries, and rapid change can lead to anomie

What is the Chicago School Theory?

Social disorganization leads to more crime. Factors like poverty, minorities, and weak institutions can cause this

What is Strain Theory?

Used to correlate social factors and crime. Correlation between limited opportunities and crime

What is Subculture Theory?

Builds off of Strain Theory, when youths develop different beliefs compared to older generations. Can encourage deviant behaviour

What is Differential Opportunity Theory?

Different types of subcultures exist depending on location and opportunity. Doesn’t explain all criminal behaviour/subcultures

What is Social Control Theory?

Developed by Hirschi, why people do or do not commit crime. People don’t commit crime because of social expectations, while others may commit unnoticeable crimes such as jaywalking, or eating a grape in the grocery store

What is Labeling Theory?

Becker and Lemert claim crime is caused by social reactions. Publicly labeling someone as a criminal will limit their opportunities and they have to resort to crime again

What is Differential Association Theory?

Developed by Edwin Sutherland; crime is a learned behaviour due to interactions with others

What is Social Process Theory

Focuses on individual traits and factors that would lead to crime. Poverty, education, location, inequality, etc.

What are the core assumptions of Learning Theories?

No one is born a criminal, behaviour is learned through interactions which can lead to deviance

What is Critical Criminology?

Analyzes social structures to understand criminology and the criminal justice system better. Also studies the inequalities of the justice system

Karl Marx’s Contributions to Criminology

Society is structured around social conflict; Capitalism leads to exploitation. Law is an ideology

What was Michael Foucault’s Philosophy?

Power is everywhere. Shifted focus from economic power to discursive power

How does a Panopticon Prison work?

A form of prison where the cells are in a circular building with a guard tower in the middle. Better viewing point, and the prisoners are more likely to get caught. This model encourages better regulation because someone is always watching.

What is Abolitionism?

Building alternatives, Investing in programs, Reducing reliance in punishment

What is the difference between Reform and Abolition?

Reform is focusing on accountability and improving the current system. Abolition is trying to prioritize other programs besides policing.

Why was early Criminology an issue for women?

These theories were only developed for men, and didn’t consider women’s reasoning to commit crime

What was Second-Wave Feminism trying to change?

The goal was to dismantle the patriarchy since it’s a system that only benefits men.

What is Liberal Feminism?

All genders being treated equally by the law

What is Radical Feminism?

The Patriarchy is a system of oppression which needs to be changed

What is Marxist/Socialist Feminism?

Focusing on capitalism and how it relates to gender inequality

What is Intersectional Feminism?

Looking at the different layers of inequality happening at the same time.

What is the Chivalry Thesis?

Women are less likely to be arrested and receive shorter sentences compared to male criminals

What is the Double Deviance Thesis?

Women are treated worse than men in the justice system, especially when it comes to crimes relating children

What is Cultural Criminology?

Studies how culture impacts interactions with others, and how some behaviours can be seen as criminal from other perspectives

What is Symbolic Interactionism?

Focuses on how people interact (language, body language)

What theories can be used to understand Cultural Criminology?

Using Chicago School and Symbolic Interactionism to understand the different social environment and how we interact with them

How was Culture studied previously?

Using Deviance, Social Norms, and Subculture Theories to understand how cultures are perceived and treated, and how minority groups behave

What is the “Something Borrowed” mindset to study Culture?

Anthropology, cultural studies, media, and sociology can be used