Crim. Exam 1

crime control

a reactive approach after a crime occurs

crime prevention

a proactive approach before a crime can occur

violent crime

the use of physical assault force against another

property crime

theft/destruction of someone else’s property

white collar crime

nonviolent, committed for financial gain

hate crime

motivated by prejudice against a minority group

theory

a set of statements involving abstract concepts, the purpose of which is to explain why some phenomenon occurs

classical criminology

theoretical perspective suggesting that people choose to commit crime and that crime can be controlled if potential criminals fear punishment

positive criminology

A school of criminology that views behavior as stemming from social, biological, and psychological factors. It argues that punishment should be tailored to the individual needs of the offender.

social integration

how individuals are attached to society

social regulation

norms by which people’s behaviors are regulated

social control theory

The view that everyone has the potential to become a criminal, but most people are controlled by their bonds to society. Crime occurs when the forces that bind people to society are weakened or broken.

self control theory

The view that the cause of delinquent behavior is an impulsive personality. Kids who are impulsive may find that their bond to society is weak.

classical strain theory

the idea that people who experience anger and frustration when they cannot achieve cultural goals through legitimate means try to achieve these goals through illegitimate means

general strain theory

The view that multiple sources of strain interact with an individual's emotional traits and responses to produce criminality

social learning theory

the theory that we learn social behavior by observing and imitating and by being rewarded or punished

differential association theory

a theory that states individuals learn deviant behavior from those close to them who provide models of and opportunities for deviance

social disorganization theory

a theory that asserts crime occurs in communities with weak social ties and the absence of social control

critical criminology

theories that assume criminal law and the criminal justice system are primarily a means of controlling the lower classes, women, and minorities

labeling theory

theory that society creates deviance by identifying particular members as deviant

rational choice

A theory that states that individuals act in their own best interest

deterrence

theory of deviance positing that people will be prevented from engaging in a deviant act if they judge the costs of such an act to outweigh its benefits

cultural deviance theory

a theory that suggests conformity to the prevailing cultural norms of lower-class society causes crime