Flashcards Comprehensive Crime Theories: Criminology, Social Disorganization, Strain, and Control

What was the percentage decrease in violent crime from 2024 to 2025?

-9.3 percent

Who defined criminology as the study of lawmaking, lawbreaking, and law enforcing?

Edwin Sutherland

What is the definition of crime?

The act proscribed (typically by law)

What does criminal behavior refer to?

The action of rule-breaking, the act of crime

What is criminality?

The propensity to commit crime

What are the two types of explanations in criminology theories?

Spiritual explanations and natural explanations

What is the difference between probability and certainty in social sciences?

Social sciences are probabilistic; they deal with factors that increase or decrease likelihoods.

What are the two schools of thought in criminology?

Classical and Positive

What is the classical perspective on crime?

Crime is caused by natural sources that can be observed and tested.

What is the primary purpose of Beccaria's 'On Crimes and Punishments'?

To critique the legal system and propose reforms.

What are the three elements of deterrence according to the classical school?

Severity, certainty, celerity (swiftness)

What does the positive school argue about criminal behavior?

It suggests that criminal behavior is influenced by factors outside of individual control.

What is the assumption of human nature in criminology regarding social concerns?

Humans are inherently benevolent but corrupted by society.

What is the dependent variable in criminology studies?

Crime and/or criminal behavior

What is the legalistic approach in defining crime?

An approach that focuses on laws and legal definitions.

What is meant by 'blank slate' in the context of human nature?

The idea that individuals are influenced by their surroundings from birth.

What is the significance of the certainty element in deterrence?

It is considered the most important factor in preventing crime.

What happens if punishment is too weak according to the classical school?

People won't be deterred from committing crimes.

What is the impact of the classical school on the U.S. legal system?

It laid the foundation for concepts of 'blind' justice.

What are individual difference theories in criminology?

Theories suggesting some individuals are more likely to commit crimes regardless of their situation.

What are structure/process theories in criminology?

Theories suggesting certain social situations are more likely to generate high crime rates.

What is the role of empirical evidence in relation to theories?

Empirical evidence cannot prove a theory is true.

What is the criticism of the classical school regarding motivation?

It assumes all motivation is self-interest, ignoring other potential motivations.

What does the term 'falsification' refer to in the context of theories?

The ability to prove a theory wrong.

What is the difference between hard determinism and soft determinism?

Hard determinism denies free will, while soft determinism allows for some degree of free will.

What is the goal of punishment according to Beccaria?

To prevent crime and deter future offenses.

What is the primary assertion of social disorganization theory?

Characteristics of neighborhoods cause crime.

Who is known as the 'Father of criminology'?

Cesare Lombroso

What method did Lombroso advocate for identifying criminal differences?

The scientific method

What theory did Lombroso develop regarding criminals?

Atavism, suggesting that criminals are 'born criminals' and genetically inferior.

How did Lombroso modify his theory over time?

He included other groups such as criminaloids and habitual offenders.

What did Lombroso later recognize as important in understanding crime?

The importance of social and environmental factors.

What was the outcome of subsequent research on Lombroso's theories?

His work was thoroughly discredited.

What does the positive school of criminology focus on?

Identifying determinants and causes of crime through scientific methods.

What are the five zones in the concentric zone model?

1. Central business district, 2. Transitional zone, 3. Working-class area, 4. Residential zone, 5. Commuter zone.

What did Clifford Shaw and Henry McKay study?

The relationship between social environment and juvenile delinquency.

What are key characteristics of socially disorganized neighborhoods?

Disrupted families, disordered schools, weak social ties, and lack of informal social control.

What do social disorganization theory findings suggest about crime rates?

No racial or ethnic group exhibits a uniform crime rate; highest rates occur in inner zones.

What criticism is often directed at social disorganization theory?

It explains neighborhood crime rates but not why certain individuals commit crimes.

What is the difference between anomie and strain theories?

Anomie theories are macro-level (society), while strain theories are micro-level (individual).

What does 'anomie' refer to in criminology?

Normlessness or disjuncture between cultural goals and social structure.

According to Merton, what causes crime in relation to goals and means?

Excessive emphasis on monetary achievement without equal access to means.

What is the highly emphasized goal in the U.S. that contributes to crime?

Financial success ($$).

What is the relationship between poverty and crime according to Merton?

Poverty alone does not cause crime; it requires inequality and the goal of financial success.

What effect does the code of the street have on youth from street families?

Youth may learn a 'decent' orientation elsewhere, not completely trapped by the code.

What is meant by 'campaigning for respect and status' in criminology?

Displaying a predisposition to violence in response to trivial challenges or provocations.

How does the code affect the community's responsibility?

Everyone is held responsible for being familiar with the code.

What is a significant implication of the code for the criminal justice system?

The threat of peer justice is often more significant than police intervention.

What do structural conditions in socially disorganized communities lead to?

A tradition of criminal behavior and weak social relationships.

What is a major limitation of social disorganization theory?

It does not adequately explain the individual-level factors that lead to crime.

What are acquisitive crimes?

Crimes that involve monetary rewards, such as robberies and burglaries.

What does Merton's theory address?

It addresses why certain individuals and groups within society commit crime, particularly those 'pressured into crime.'

What is Cohen's perspective on gang delinquency?

Most delinquent behavior occurs in gangs and is often non-utilitarian, driven by status frustration rather than money.

What is the basic argument of Institutional Anomie Theory (IAT)?

Economic principles dominate other non-economic social institutions, leading to anomie and crime.

What is the 'dark side of the American Dream' according to IAT?

The commitment to material success pursued under conditions of open competition undermines other social institutions.

What are the four values driven by economic concerns in IAT?

Materialism, universalism, achievement, and individualism.

Who developed General Strain Theory (GST)?

Robert Agnew.

What are the three sources of strain in GST?

Objective strain, subjective strain, and anticipated strain.

What are the effects of strain that may lead to crime?

Strain produces negative emotions, increases the likelihood of criminal coping, and lowers the perceived costs of crime.

What is Differential Association Theory (DAT)?

A theory that posits criminal behavior is learned through interactions with others, primarily in intimate groups.

What is the principle of DAT regarding definitions of crime?

Favorable definitions of crime outweigh unfavorable definitions, leading to criminal behavior.

What are the four major concepts of Akers' social learning theory?

Differential association, definitions, differential reinforcement, and initiation.

What is the 'Code of the Street' as described by Elijah Anderson?

A set of informal rules governing public behavior, emphasizing respect, status, and reputation.

What are the two orientations within the Code of the Street?

Decent and street orientations.

What are the forms of social control mentioned in control theories?

External and internal controls, including family influence and self-discipline.

What are the five crime-justifying beliefs in neutralization theory?

Denial of responsibility, denial of injury, denial of victim, condemnation of the condemners, and appeal to higher loyalty.

What is collective efficacy?

The willingness of community members to intervene for the common good, characterized by social cohesion and trust.

What is legal cynicism?

A cultural framework through which people interpret the functioning of the law and its agents, often viewing them as illegitimate.

What are the sources of legal cynicism?

Neighborhood structural conditions and variations in police practices and resident interactions.

How does collective efficacy relate to crime?

Lower collective efficacy can lead to increased crime due to a lack of social capital and inability to mobilize against wrongdoing.

What is the significance of strain in relation to crime?

Strain can create conditions that lead individuals to resort to criminal behavior as a means of coping.

What does the term 'criminal coping' refer to?

Using crime as an easier solution than legal means to address negative emotions caused by strain.

What is the role of prior criminal behavior in social learning theory?

Prior criminal behavior and associations are central predictors of future criminal acts.

What is the relationship between social disorganization and crime?

Social disorganization theory suggests that crime is more likely in communities with weak social structures.

What is the main critique of Differential Association Theory?

Definitions of crime are often vague, and it does not adequately describe the learning process of criminal behavior.

What are the implications of anomie theories in social policy?

Anomie theories have influenced policies aimed at addressing poverty and social inequality.