Soci Midterm 2

What do sociological theories explain about crime?

Crime is explained through social context and the influence of an individual's environment and social relationships.

Who is Emile Durkheim and what is his contribution to criminology?

Founder of sociology; he examined the relationship between social cohesion and suicide rates, highlighting the importance of social solidarity.

What is anomie according to Durkheim?

A state where societal norms break down, leading to a lack of grounding for individuals.

What did the Chicago School scholars argue regarding crime?

Crime and juvenile delinquency are not randomly distributed; they vary based on neighborhood types.

What is collective efficacy?

The positive capacities of a community that can lead to social order, despite a lack of resources.

What are Merton's five modes of adaptation to strain?

Conformity, innovation, retreatism, ritualism, and rebellion.

What does innovation refer to in the context of Merton's strain theory?

The acceptance of culturally defined goals but the rejection of means to achieve them, often involving criminal behavior.

What is social control theory focused on?

Why individuals refrain from deviant behavior and what societal bonds keep them in conformity.

Who developed the social bond theory?

Travis Hirschi.

What are the four components of social bond theory?

Attachment, commitments, involvement, and beliefs.

What is differential association theory?

The theory that criminal behavior is learned through social interactions and exposure to criminals.

What does labelling theory focus on?

How society defines crime and how power dynamics influence the labeling process.

What is the difference between primary and secondary deviance?

Primary deviance is initial, infrequent acts of deviance; secondary deviance is when the label internalized leads to a deviant lifestyle.

What does critical criminology focus on?

Struggle and conflict between powerful and less powerful classes, and how societal structures maintain economic elites' interests.

What is left realism in criminology?

Acknowledges that victims of crime often come from vulnerable communities and seeks to address relative deprivation.

What hypothesis did Adler and Simon propose in feminist criminology?

The liberation/emancipation hypothesis, which suggests gender variation in crime is related to women's changing roles in society.

What are the main types of domestic violence?

Physical, emotional, and sexual abuse occurring primarily within intimate relationships.

What are the implications of the general theory of crime by Gottfredson and Hirschi?

It posits that low self-control is a key factor in criminal behavior across a person's lifetime.

What is general strain theory?

It expands on Merton's theory, suggesting various negative experiences can lead to strain, not just economic factors.

What does rational choice theory suggest about criminal behavior?

That crime results from rational decision-making processes where potential benefits are weighed against risks.

Describe routine activity theory. Who are its founders?

Proposed by Cohen & Felson; suggests crime occurs when a motivated offender and a suitable victim converge in a space lacking protection.

What is the focus of crime prevention through environmental design?

Utilizing design strategies to enhance natural surveillance, access control, territorial reinforcement, and maintenance.

What is the importance of social exclusion in criminology?

It refers to being shut out from social, economic, and political systems, which can lead to criminal behavior.

What role does homelessness play in youth crime?

Homelessness is both a cause and a consequence of criminal behavior among at-risk youth.

How does social exclusion affect Indigenous peoples in Canada?

Social exclusion has led to higher rates of crime, victimization, and incarceration among Indigenous populations.

What are hate crimes?

Crimes motivated by bias against a person or group based on race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or other identity markers.

What are key characteristics of white-collar crime?

Crime committed by individuals in high-status occupations, often in business, for personal gain.

What distinguishes occupational crime from corporate crime?

Occupational crime benefits individuals in their workplace, while corporate crime benefits the entire corporation.

What is a Ponzi scheme?

A form of investment fraud where returns are paid to earlier investors using the capital of newer investors.

Why are white-collar crimes often not prosecuted?

They are complex to investigate, and societal focus tends to prioritize violent crime.

What do regulatory failures in corporate environments often lead to?

Serious consequences, such as the financial collapse of institutions or harmful public health outcomes.

What does green criminology study?

Environmental harm caused by human activity, focusing on crimes against the environment.

What did the term 'state corporate crime' refer to?

Illegal actions that occur when government entities collaborate with businesses, often for profit.

What role does discretion play in police misconduct?

Discretion allows for subjective decision-making, which can lead to biased or unethical behavior.

What factors contribute to violence according to sociological explanations?

Social interactions, emotional energies, audience presence, and situational triggers like alcohol.

What is the significance of the term 'ideal victim'?

An ideal victim is often viewed in terms of race, gender, and social power, influencing societal perception of victimhood.

How is deviance theorized in social control theory?

Deviance needs to be explained through the failure of social bonds that keep individuals in conformity.

What are the critiques of strain theory?

It does not adequately explain why successful individuals or gender differences in crime exist.