Criminology Unit 5

Theory

seeks to explain why crime occurs, not to justify or excuse it. Explaining crime is often misunderstood as defending it, but it is essential for understanding causes to make effective policies.

Pure Theory

aims to understand underlying causes of crime (ex. theory explaining poverty increasing crime)

Applied Theory

uses those ideas to inform policy, programs, and practice (ex. economic theory informing policy to reduce poverty to then reduce crime)

Demonological Theory

treat crime as sin and justify divine punishment and interpret crime through lens of theology. Criminal as evil, sinner, supernatural pawn. Created by traditional authority.

Classical Theory

includes-- free will and rationality (people choose crime by weighing pros and cons, rooted in natural rights and rational choice), punishment and justice (Beccaria: Let the punishment fit the crime, fair proportionate, and lawful. Justice should be harsh, swift, and certain), hedonism and crime, and free actor. Incapacitation, punishment, deterrence.)

Hedonism

a pleasure principle, the assumption that the main purpose of life is to maximize pleasure while minimizing pain. Individuals are viewed as completely rational in their decision-making process to maximize pleasure until the risk of pain outweighs the potential pleasure

Neoclassical Theory

built on classical theory ideas of free will and rational choice. Added recognition of individual differences (age, intent, mental state). Saw crime as choice within context, not purely equal rationally. Shifted focus from pure deterrence to justice and fairness.

Rational Choice

People weigh costs, benefits, and opportunities before offending. Crime is a rational decision, but not always perfectly planned. Focuses on specific crimes and situation prevention. Social factors, such as personality, come into play.

Deterrence Theory

people are rational actors who respond to punishment and risk (harsher, certain, and swift punishments deters crime). Four purposes of punishment: retribution (moral payback. Ex. severity of punishment, such as murder), deterrence (warning to others. Ex. severity of punishment deter others from murdering), incapacitation (remove offenders. Ex. offender in prison cannot commit crime), rehabilitation (reform offender. Ex. educational programs to increase reintegration and reduce recidivism). Deterrence works best when punishment is certain, not just severe.

Ecological theory

also called statistical, geographic, or cartographic school. Focus on environment (structural factors such as poverty) + crime patterns (not individual choice). Found crime higher where opportunity + population density rise.

Thermic Law

violent crime is higher in warmer areas, property crime is higher in colder areas

Economic theory of crime

inspired by Karl Marx. Insisted that the economic substructure determines the nature of all other institutions and social relationships in society. In his view, the emergence of capitalism produces economic inequality in which the proletariat (workers) is exploited by the bourgeoise (owners or capitalist class). This exploitation creates crime and poverty. Wants to address structural injustice, not punish individuals

Bourgeoise

owners/rich

Proletariat

workers