Understanding Theories in Criminology

Flashcards covering key concepts in criminology theories, differentiating between various theoretical perspectives and their implications.

Everyday Theory

A guess or hypothesis proposed to explain phenomena in daily life, based on assumptions.

Scholarly Theory

A hypothesis that seeks to explain phenomena but must be generalizable, precise, and testable.

Deterrence Theory

The theory that fair, swift, and certain punishment will deter wrongdoing, requiring individuals to be aware of laws.

Bias

A tendency that affects understanding, leading to unspoken assumptions and blind spots in both everyday and scholarly theories.

Classicalism

One of the three main paradigms in criminology focusing on free will and rational choice.

Positivism

A paradigm in criminology that applies scientific methods and emphasizes biological and environmental influences on behavior.

Critical Theory

A framework that involves examining social inequalities and challenges mainstream perspectives, often focusing on race, gender, and class.

Labelling Theory

The theory that explores how being labelled as deviant affects individuals' behavior and social consequences.

Feminism in Criminology

Challenges traditional criminology's focus on male experiences, recognizing women's victimization and societal disadvantages.

Critical Race Theory (CRT)

A perspective in criminology that examines racism and its structural aspects in law and society.

Empirical Validation

The principle that good theories must be tested across various contexts to ensure their reliability and acceptance.

Parsimony

A quality of good theories where the simpler explanation is preferred if it equally explains a phenomenon, in line with Occam's razor.

Complex Relationships

The understanding that crime is usually influenced by multiple, intertwined factors including biological, psychological, and social.

Consensus Theory

A theory attributed to Durkheim that holds shared societal values underpin laws and views criminal behavior as deviance.

Conflict Theory

A theory based on Marx's views that laws reflect the interests of powerful groups and are rooted in social inequality.