SFU Crim 101 exam review

script

the steps in decision making for actions of a criminal event

Crime Opportunity Theory

the level of crime opportunities is the main cause of crime

Dispositional Theories

biologically or psychologically explaining individuals tendency to commit a crime

SCP - Situational crime prevention

measures taken to reduce crime opportunities, looks at factors influencing crime ie environment, risks, rewards

anomie (Durkheim)

periods of lawlessness, formlessness, unrestrained choice, or a breakdown in social solidarity

social disorganized theory

breakdown of norms and networks in neighbourhoods can lead to greater crime and violence

differential association theory (sutherland)

criminal behaviour is learned through social interaction

symbolic interactionism

(chicago school) meaning and reality are socially constructed through gestures/symbols/words

neutralization

criminals learn motivations and rationalizations to justify their behaviour

sociology of deviance

(chicago school) looks at how crime is used to maintain social boundaries - certain groups come to be "social problems"

labelling theory

individuals may develop and deviant self-image due to the labels they are given (feelings of separation from the "normal" commiunity)

chicago school

first school of sociology in usa, all the theories relate back to this school

white-collar crime

crime committed by an individual of high social status in the course of their occupation (ex. Enron)

life course developmental theory

(sampson and laub) life events can help lead an individual away from criminal behaviour

social bond theory

(Hirschi) 1. attachment 2. commitment 3. involvement 4. belief

social control theory

(Durkheim) social bonds and social controls restrain teen delinquency

social learning theory

reward or punishment for past behaviour and anticipated consequences of persistance

general strain theory

delinquent acts by teens - teens have more strains and stresses than adults ie. bullying, popularity etc.

cultural transmission theory

(chicago school) criminal subcultures develop their own values and norms which are passed on from gang to gang or generation to generation

anomie strain theory

(merton) disjunction between cultural goals of "american dream" and institutional means to achieve those goals

criminology

the scientific study of crime and criminal behaviour, which are defined by reference to criminal law

qualitative

study of phenomena based on exploration of reasons for human behaviour and qualities of subjective experience

deviance

behaviour challenging accepted values, can be criminal or non-criminal

mens rea

mental element of a criminal offence

actus rea

the criminal act relating to a crime

empirical

experiment, measurement, direct observation

quantitative

measurement of something