Notes Flashcards

Feminist Criminology

A field of study that examines why men commit more crime than women, how traditional theories explain women's crime, and how gender shapes offending and victimization.

Patriarchy

A social system in which men hold primary power, influencing societal structures and norms.

Gender Roles

Socially constructed expectations regarding behavior, appearance, feelings, and thinking associated with being male or female.

Gender Ratio Problem

The issue of why men commit more crime than women, often attributed to socio-cultural factors.

Generalizability Problem

The question of whether traditional criminology theories apply to women's experiences of crime.

Feminization of Poverty

The increasing representation of women among the poor, which helps explain women's involvement in petty and property crimes.

Gender Entrapment

The process by which women's pathways to crime are influenced by abuse, victimization, and societal expectations.

Power-Control Theory

A theory suggesting that gender differences in crime arise from parental supervision practices, differentiating the experiences of boys and girls.

Social Bond Theory

A theory asserting that four elements—attachment, commitment, involvement, and belief—are key to preventing criminal behavior.

Rational Choice Theory

The theory that crime occurs when individuals weigh the risks and rewards of committing an offense.

Cognitive Dissonance

The discomfort experienced when a person holds conflicting beliefs or engages in contradictory behaviors.

Doing Gender

The concept that crime can be a means for individuals, particularly men, to perform masculinity and assert their gender identity.

Masculinity

Socially constructed attributes, behaviors, and roles that society associates with being male.

Deterrence

The idea that potential offenders will avoid crime if they believe punishment is likely or severe.

Conformity

The act of aligning one's beliefs and behaviors to group norms and expectations.

Bystander Effect

A social phenomenon where individuals are less likely to offer help to a victim when other people are present.