soc109

How does criminology apply concepts of deterrence to offending?

The classical criminology school contributed to the growth of individualistic explanations for criminality and deviance.

What was the focus of criminology in the reasoning criminal model?

Overly focused on individual-level factors, with offenders and non-offenders engaging in similar decision-making processes.

What was the focus of punishment in the reasoning criminal model?

Punishing the body, primarily punishments that involved torture and death, which were quite common.

When did the Enlightenment period begin?

In 17th and 18th century Europe.

What was the Enlightenment described as?

The 'age of reason'.

What were the changes focused on during the Enlightenment?

Changes in culture, politics, economics, and social life.

What was the focus of the Enlightenment in terms of rejecting the past?

Rejecting spiritualism and the idea that people were possessed by demons.

What method was used to study humanity during the Enlightenment?

The scientific method.

What did the Enlightenment favor in terms of knowledge?

Science and the scientific method, knowledge, and empiricism.

What did the spread of rationalism and social optimism in Europe signify?

A shift in thinking and societal outlook.

According to the Enlightenment, are humans inherently sinful?

No, humans are not inherently sinful.

What did the Enlightenment thinkers believe about crime causation?

That societal factors contribute to crime.

What was the primary purpose of punishments according to the Classical School?

Deterrence rather than vengeance.

What did the Classical School argue about individuals?

That individuals enjoy rationality and free will.

What was the focus of punishments according to the Classical School?

Deterrence, making the possible punishments of committing a crime seem greater than the possible benefits.

What are the two key aspects of punishment individualization according to the Classical School?

Punishment has to suit the crime, circumstances, and individual, and it must be proportional.

What was the recent news case about?

A 54-year-old single mother in the USA sentenced to prison for trying to smuggle 25 firearms from the US into Canada.

What were the circumstances of the recent news case?

She had no prior criminal record and lived in a law-abiding way.

Why did the judge justify a more severe penalty?

To deter people from committing a more serious offense.

How did the judge describe the community as a whole?

As victimized because of the offense, losing their sense of safety and security.

What are the two sentencing objectives achieved by the sentence?

Deterrence and denunciation.

What are the objectives of punishment in Canada?

General deterrence, specific deterrence, denunciation, incapacitation, rehabilitation, reparations/restitution, and retribution.

What is the concept at the core of the neo-classical approach?

Just deserts.

When did the neo-classical shift happen?

In the 1960s.

What does 'just deserts' mean?

They get what they deserve.

What are the three key elements related to punishment for crimes?

Certainty of punishment, swiftness of punishment, and severity of punishment.

What is the most effective element of deterrence according to the text?

The certainty of punishment.

What is the degree to which we know we will be punished for a crime called?

Certainty of punishment.

What is the term used for how quickly one will be punished if a crime happens?

Swiftness of punishment.

According to contemporary scholarship, what is the most important aspect in pursuing a deterrent effect?

Certainty of punishment.

What did Cornish and Clarke argue about historical criminology?

It focused too much on biological and psychological factors related to crime.

What did Cornish and Clarke suggest about people who commit crimes?

They are not psychologically different from others in society.

What kind of decision-making process do offenders and non-offenders engage in?

Similar decision-making processes.

What did criminology focus too much on, according to the text?

Individual-level factors.

What are the two types of decisions included in the text?

Involvement and event decisions.

What is involvement decision in the context of criminology?

Deciding to be involved in crime and deviance based on background factors, prior experience, and solutions to needs.

What are some factors that could contribute to involvement decisions?

Financial, vengeance, etc.

What are event decisions in criminology?

Deciding to commit a specific crime, considering immediate and situational factors.

What is bounded rationality in criminology?

Making the best decision based on available information and cognitive abilities.

What is the Routine Activities Theory in criminology?

The theory that lifestyle shapes how much crime happens in society and who becomes a victim of crime.

How did changes in lifestyle contribute to increased victimization according to the Routine Activities Theory?

Changes in lifestyle provided more opportunities for crime.

How is crime explained according to the Routine Activities Theory?

As normal and can be explained by rational calculus.

What are the three important elements in situational crime prevention?

Motivated offender, suitable target, absence of a capable guardian.

What is a motivated offender in the context of situational crime prevention?

People who have problems to address in their life and can choose law-abiding or criminal ways to do so.

What is a suitable target in the context of situational crime prevention?

An appropriate target, such as homes for burglars or someone using an ATM at night.

What is the absence of a capable guardian in the context of situational crime prevention?

Lack of capable guardianship like a sleepy security guard or someone or something that can stop you from committing a crime.

What are some formal sources of guardianship mentioned in the text?

Police officer, security guard, CCTV camera, motion sensor lights.

What are some informal sources of guardianship mentioned in the text?

Neighborhood watch, concerned bystanders, keeping an eye out for each other.

What is the important framework in the deterrence rational perspective?

Situational crime prevention.

Why is it argued that it's much easier to predict risky places than risky individuals?

It is argued that criminal profiling isn't reliable and it's easier to predict risky locations like jewelry stores in shopping malls.

What are the five techniques mentioned in the text for situational crime prevention?

1. Increasing the effort of committing crime 2) Increasing the risk of crime 3) Reducing the rewards of crime 4) Reducing the provocations 5) And reducing excuses.

How does situational crime prevention aim to make the crime itself less appealing?

By making it more challenging, dangerous, and less tempting in the first place.

How do rational choice theories account for illogical or expressive crimes?

Rational choice theories don't sufficiently account for social, structural, and individual influences.