Criminology Final

Conduct Norms

Rules that govern everyday behavior within a subculture (e.g., honor, retaliation). Conflict occurs when conduct norms contradict criminal law

Culture Conflict

When the legal system’s rules are incompatible with subcultural conduct norms → results in crime.

Criminal Gangs

Stable adult criminal networks available, Youth learn organized, profit-making crime

Conflict Gangs

Disorganized areas with no stable adult criminals, Youth gain status through violence and turf conflict

Retreatist Gangs

“Double failures” who fail at both conventional and criminal pathways, Drug use, escape, withdrawal

Status frustration / status deprivation

Inability to meet middle-class expectations → frustration → delinquent subcultures.

Middle-class measuring rods

Teacher and authority expectations for behavior, speech, conduct.

Subculture of Violence

Certain subcultures normalize violence as acceptable. Supported by some studies (Ellison & McCall; Nisbett & Cohen) but contradicted by others.

Southern Hypothesis

Violence norms stronger in the American South; some empirical support, some refutation.

Decent Families

Commit to mainstream values despite poverty, Emphasize hard work, self-reliance, and sacrifice

Street Families

Oppositional culture, Lack of discipline/structure, Children socialized into the street code

“Respect”

Must be constantly maintained and defended, “Campaigning for respect” through appearance, manhood, readiness for violence

Theory Competition

Comparing theories empirically/conceptually to determine which explains crime best. (Hirschi & Gottfredson)

Theory integration

Combining strengths from multiple theories to form a better explanation.

Conceptual Absorption

One theory absorbs concepts from another as special cases (Akers absorbing differential association concepts into social learning).

Theory elaboration

Extending an existing theory logically (Thornberry).

Latent-trait Theories

A master trait (e.g., self-control) is stable and drives behavior.

Life-Course Theories

Behavior changes as individuals encounter new social bonds, transitions.

Early onset

stronger predictor of persistent offending

Desistance/ age of disistance?

often linked to social bonds (marriage, work).
(From Sampson & Laub content). Tied to early onset

AL Offenders

Offend during teenage years due to peer influence, Desist as they enter adulthood

LCP Offenders

Early onset antisocial behavior, Persistent into adulthood, Neuropsych + environment interactions

Childhood-limited / low-level chronic offenders

Present antisocial behavior that does not escalate long term.

Authority conflict pathway

 (stubborn → defiant → authority avoidance)

Covert Pathway

 (lying → property damage → theft)

Overt Pathway

 (aggression → fighting → violence)
Youth may be on multiple paths, may specialize or diversify.

Trajectories

Long-term behavior patterns (e.g., employment, crime).

Transitions

Short-term events (marriage, job).

Turning Points

Events that redirect life pathways (e.g., stable work reducing crime). Strong social capital and interdependent ties → lower crime.

Pre-capitalism

altruism in communal societies

Capitalism

egoism increases → crime

Marxist Perspective

focus on economic class domination.

Pluralist Perspective

Power comes from multiple competing groups, not only class. (Law is a resource different groups fight over.)

Class Consciousness

awareness of oppression/class position

False Consciousness

acceptance of the dominant ideology that hides exploitation

Nativism & Immigration

Irish/Italian immigrants: Faced hostility, discrimination, Turned to political machines for resources, Ethnic isolation contributed to OC formation

Saloons

Social/political centers, Linked political machines and criminal organizations

The Machine

Political patronage systems that distributed jobs, favors, contracts; connected to OC.

Prohibition & Volstead Act

18th Amendment established prohibition, Prohibition Bureau inefficient, corrupt + Massive increase in OC and violence

Boys from Brooklyn / Murder, Inc.

National hit squad enforcing the Mafia’s rules.

Thomas Dewey

Special prosecutor who targeted Luciano, leading to his conviction.

Castellammarese War

Battle between two Mafia factions; led to restructuring of NY Mafia and formation of Five Families.

Lucky Luciano

Reorganized NY Mafia, created The Commission, major national influence.

The Commission

Governing body regulating Mafia families, approving hits, resolving disputes.

Street taxes & licenses

OC charges individuals/businesses for permission to operate (extortion).