Theories of Crime Causation – Lecture Overview

28 question-and-answer flashcards covering major concepts, theorists, and classifications from the lecture on theories of crime causation.

What are "Theories of Crime Causation"?

Abstract, systematic explanations that describe the origins or causes of criminal behavior, often offering empirical insights for crime analysis.

What is the central claim of the Demonological Theory of crime?

Crime is the result of possession by evil spirits or supernatural forces beyond an individual’s control.

According to the Demonological perspective, what compels people to commit crimes?

An external evil spirit or supernatural force.

Which school of thought views crime as a product of free will, hedonism, and rational choice?

The Classical School of criminology.

What does the hedonistic ("pain-and-pleasure") principle state?

People seek pleasure and avoid pain, guiding their decision-making.

How does the Classical School define rationality?

Acting or deciding with sound judgment, logic, and conformity to societal norms after weighing costs and benefits.

Who is considered the founder of the Classical School and what influential essay did he write?

Cesare Beccaria; the 1764 essay "On Crimes and Punishment."

What is utilitarianism and who developed it?

A philosophy aiming for "the greatest happiness for the greatest number"; developed by Jeremy Bentham.

What was Jeremy Bentham’s Panopticon?

A circular prison design with a central tower allowing staff to observe all cells, encouraging prisoner self-regulation.

How does the Neo-Classical School modify Classical ideas?

It recognizes that children and the mentally ill cannot fully calculate pain and pleasure, advocating different treatment for them.

How does the Positivist (Italian) School explain crime causation?

Crime results from internal and external factors beyond individual control and favors scientific explanations and individualized treatment.

Who is called the "father of modern criminology"?

Dr. Cesare Lombroso.

What is Lombroso’s landmark book and its main idea?

"Criminal Man"; it argued criminals can be identified by biological or physical traits.

What do Biological Theories of crime suggest about human genetics?

That criminality may be linked to inherited or biological dispositions in an individual’s genetic blueprint.

What is Lombroso’s Theory of Atavism or the "Born Criminal" concept?

The belief that criminals display evolutionary throwbacks (atavistic stigmata) distinguishing them from law-abiding people.

Give at least three physical stigmata Lombroso associated with criminals.

Examples include twisted or flat nose, long arms, protruding jaws, large ears, drooping eyes, sloped forehead, dark skin, or deformed skulls.

List Lombroso’s four major classifications of criminals.

Born criminals, Insane criminals, Criminals by passion, and Occasional criminals (with subtypes criminaloid, epileptoid, habitual, pseudocriminal).

Who are "criminaloids" in Lombroso’s typology?

Normal individuals easily swayed by circumstance to commit crimes under pressure.

What is physiognomy in criminology?

"Face reading"—inferring personality traits from facial appearance.

What does phrenology study?

Personality traits and character based on skull shape and formations.

Which body type did Kretschmer link to petty theft and fraud, and what are its traits?

Asthenic—thin, narrow-shouldered individuals who are shy, introverted, and studious.

According to Kretschmer, which physique is associated with aggression and violence?

Athletic—muscular individuals with well-developed skeletons.

Which Kretschmer body type is prone to fraud, deception, mood swings, and occasional violence?

Pyknic—round, fleshy bodies with extroverted yet changeable moods.

What is the Dysplastic (Mixed) type in Kretschmer’s system?

Individuals whose physiques do not fit a single category, often associated with crimes against decency and morality.

Who created the Somatotype theory and what are its three body types?

William Sheldon; ectomorph, endomorph, and mesomorph.

Describe the ectomorph somatotype and its temperament.

Thin/slender body; cerebrotonic temperament—introverted, sensitive, self-conscious, prone to insomnia.

Describe the mesomorph somatotype and its associated traits.

Muscular body with dominant muscles; somotonic temperament—active, aggressive, dynamic, and most prone to violence.

Describe the endomorph somatotype and its associated traits.

Soft, round, fat body; viscerotonic temperament—jolly, relaxed, sociable, but potentially lazy.