Theories to Crime Causation

A comprehensive set of flashcards covering key concepts from the study of crime causation theories.

What is Rational Choice Theory?

A theory suggesting individuals weigh the costs and benefits before committing crimes, evolved from classical criminology.

Who developed the concept of Utilitarianism?

Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill.

What key concepts form Rational Choice Theory?

Cost-benefit analysis, bounded rationality, deterrence, and purposeful crime choices.

How is drug dealing seen through the lens of Rational Choice Theory?

Individuals weigh the risks and profits before engaging in drug dealing.

What are elements of Situational Crime Prevention?

Target hardening, increasing detection risks, reducing rewards, removing excuses, and reducing provocations.

What does 'Defensible Space' refer to?

A concept by Oscar Newman suggesting that urban design can reduce crime by enhancing natural surveillance.

What strategies are included in Crime Prevention?

Situational prevention, environmental design, community-based interventions, and legal deterrents.

What is Diffusion in crime prevention?

Crime reduction that spreads beyond the initially targeted area.

What does 'Displacement' mean in the context of crime prevention strategies?

When crime shifts to another area due to prevention efforts.

What is General Deterrence?

Discouraging crime through severity, certainty, and swiftness of punishment.

What is the most important element of punishment according to Deterrence Theories?

Certainty of punishment.

What are the basic concepts of Specific Deterrence?

Punishing individuals to prevent future offending.

Why might tougher punishments be ineffective?

Criminals may act impulsively or in environments where punishment isn't a deterrent.

Who was Cesare Lombroso?

An early criminologist who suggested that criminals possess specific biological traits.

What are the three somatypes according to William Sheldon?

Endomorph, mesomorph (most criminally inclined), and ectomorph.

What distinguishes Biological Theories from Biosocial Theories?

Biological Theories focus solely on genetic/physiological causes, while Biosocial Theories consider the interplay of biology and environment.

What is the Individual Vulnerability Model?

The idea that some individuals have a biological predisposition to crime.

What are Biochemical Conditions that can produce crime?

Poor nutrition, hormonal imbalances, and exposure to toxins.

What research techniques link genetics to crime?

Twin studies, adoption studies, and family lineage research.

What is the Evolutionary View on Crime?

Crime is seen as a behavior driven by survival instincts.

What does Freud's Psychodynamic Perspective include?

The id, ego, and superego framework connecting unconscious conflicts to criminal behavior.

How does Behavioral Theory relate to crime?

Criminal behavior is learned through conditioning and reinforcement.

What cognitive processes are associated with crime?

Criminal thinking patterns, justification, and risk perception.

How does IQ relate to crime?

A lower IQ is linked to a higher likelihood of criminal behavior.

What is the history of sociological criminology?

Rooted in social structure theories that focus on how environments influence crime.

What leads to crime according to the Association between Social Structure and Crime?

Crime results from poverty, inequality, and lack of opportunities.

What does Social Disorganization Theory explain?

High-crime neighborhoods stemming from urban decay and lack of social cohesion.

According to Shaw and McKay, where is crime concentrated?

In transitional neighborhoods.

How does Ecological Theory describe crime variation?

Crime varies by location due to economic and social factors.

What is Poverty Concentration?

Crime clusters in disadvantaged areas.

What does Siege Mentality refer to?

Residents developing distrust toward law enforcement.

How do strong social ties impact crime according to Collective Efficacy?

They reduce crime.

What are Strain and Anomie concepts?

Social strain leads to crime when goals cannot be legally achieved.

What are Merton's five behaviors related to crime?

Conformity, innovation (most likely criminal), ritualism, retreatism, rebellion.

What four value orientations are addressed in Institutional Anomie Theory?

Achievement, individualism, universalism, and fetishism of money.

What does Agnew mean by negative affective states?

Emotions like anger and frustration that can lead to crime due to strain.

What is Relative Deprivation Theory?

Crime results from perceived inequalities compared to others.

What forms of Cultural Deviance Theory exist?

Focal Concerns Theory, Differential Opportunity Theory, Subcultural Theory.

What types of criminal subcultures does Differential Opportunity describe?

Criminal, conflict, and retreatist subcultures.

What values are central in Focal Concerns Theory?

Trouble, toughness, smartness, excitement, fate, autonomy.

What is Status Frustration?

Lower-class youth's struggle to meet middle-class expectations leading to rejection of values.

What is Cultural Transmission?

The process of passing down criminal values and behaviors across generations.

What are some Social Structure Policies?

Community development, education initiatives, employment training, and social services.

What is Social Process Theory?

Crime results from interactions with individuals and institutions.

How do family relationships affect crime?

Weak ties can increase criminal tendencies; strong bonds reduce delinquency.

How does the educational setting influence crime?

Poor academic performance and high dropout rates increase delinquency.

What is the peer influence on delinquency?

Association with delinquent peers increases likelihood of offending.

How is criminal behavior acquired according to Sutherland’s Differential Association Theory?

Through interaction with others, particularly in intimate groups.

What are the 4 Modalities of Association in Sutherland's theory?

Frequency, duration, priority, and intensity.

What is Differential Reinforcement Theory?

Criminal behavior is learned through rewards and punishments.

What are the five Techniques of Neutralization?

Denial of responsibility, denial of injury, denial of victim, condemnation of condemners, appeal to higher loyalties.

What question does Control Theory ask?

Why don’t people commit crimes instead of why they do?

What does Control Theory assume about crime motivation?

Everyone has the potential to commit crime, but social bonds prevent it.

What are the 4 Components of Hirschi’s Social Bonding Theory?

Attachment, commitment, involvement, belief.

What are critiques of Control Theory?

It assumes people are naturally criminal and fails to explain impulsive or white-collar crimes.

What is Labeling Theory?

The idea that being labeled as a criminal leads to further deviance due to societal reactions.

What are Primary and Secondary Deviance according to Lemert?

Primary deviance is initial rule-breaking; secondary deviance is adopting a criminal identity.

What does Retrospective Interpretation mean?

Reinterpreting past behavior based on a new label.

What was the focus of the Schwartz and Skolnick Study?

Criminal labels negatively affect employment opportunities.

What distinguishes Labeling Theory from other theories?

It focuses on societal reaction rather than the act itself.

How should Social Process Theory be applied to crime prevention efforts?

By emphasizing positive socialization and rehabilitation programs.

What is Critical Criminology?

Examines how power structures create crime and injustice.

What is the basic premise of Marxist Theory?

Crime results from economic inequality and class struggle.

Who are the Bourgeoisie and the Proletariat?

Bourgeoisie: The ruling class; Proletariat: The working class.

What shapes law and crime according to Critical Criminology?

Power imbalances.

How is globalization associated with crime?

It increases opportunities for crimes like human trafficking and cybercrime.

What is meant by State-Organized Crime?

Crimes committed by governments, including corruption and war crimes.

What is the difference between Structural and Instrumental Theory?

Structural sees crime stemming from inequalities; Instrumental sees laws as protecting elite interests.

What are the subdivisions of Critical Criminology?

Includes left realism, peacemaking criminology, and feminist criminology.