Theories of Crime Causation

These flashcards cover critical vocabulary related to theories of crime causation, exploring definitions and variations of perspectives in criminology.

Crime

Conduct that is prohibited and has a specific punishment prescribed by public law.

Causation

The act or agency which produces an effect, often involving the actus reus (action) combined with mens rea (state of mind) to comprise the elements of guilt.

Crime Causation

The study of different theories and principles that explain how a person’s internal and external factors affect their actions.

Single/Unitary Theory

A theory that contends crime is produced by one factor, which may be biological, sociological, or psychological.

Eclectic Theory

A theory that suggests crime can stem from one or more factors, depending on the circumstances.

Multiple Factor Theory

A theory that views crime as not a product of a single cause, but rather a combination of several factors.

Integrated Theory

A theory that combines two or more theories to generate a single model or framework.

Classical Choice Perspective

A view that crime is a function of freewill and personal choice, where punishment serves as a deterrent.

Biological/Psychological Perspective

A view that crime arises from internal forces such as chemical, neurological, genetic, personality, intelligence, or mental traits.

Structural Perspective

A perspective that sees crime rates as functions of neighborhood conditions and cultural forces.

Process Perspective

A perspective that attributes crime to socialization forces like upbringing, learning, and control through influences from peers, parents, and teachers.

Conflict Perspective

A perspective that sees crime as a function of competition for limited resources and power, where class conflict produces crime.

Developmental Perspective

A perspective stating that crime can result from multiple forces, including biological, social-psychological, economic, and political influences.

Anthropological Approach

The study of the physical characteristics of offenders versus non-offenders to find differences in criminal behavior.

Medical Approach

The application of medical examinations to explain the mental and physical conditions of criminals before and after committing crimes.

Biological Approach

An evaluation of how genetic influences affect criminal behavior.

Psychological Approach

A study concerning the deprivation of psychological needs leading to deviations in behavior that can result in criminality.

Biosocial Theory

A theory that views both thought and behavior as a product of biological and social interactions.