Theories of Criminal Behavior — Lectures 1–4

Theory

A set of interrelated concepts, definitions, and propositions that presents a systematic view of a phenomenon.

Theory vs. Hypothesis

Theory is a broad framework; a hypothesis is a specific, testable prediction derived from it.

Normal Science & Paradigm

Scientists working within a shared research tradition, specialized language, and interpretive framework.

Crime Definition

Conduct or failure to act that violates criminal law and is subject to legal penalties.

Uniform Crime Reports (UCR)

Crime data based on crimes known to police, arrests, and the hierarchy rule.

Dark Figure of Crime

Crimes that occur but are not reported, discovered, or recorded by police.

NIBRS

National Incident-Based Reporting System providing detailed info about offenses, victims, and offenders.

Self-Report Surveys

Individuals report their own criminal or antisocial behavior, useful for studying youth.

Victimization Studies

Studies like NCVS where victims report crimes that happened to them.

Classical Perspective

Criminological view emphasizing free will, free choice, and deterrence.

Positivist Perspective

View emphasizing determinism and that behavior is influenced by prior experiences and determining factors.

Conformity Perspective

View that humans are born good and inclined to do the right thing.

Nonconformist Perspective

View that humans are undisciplined and need social controls and self-control.

Psychological Criminology

Focuses on individual factors like developmental differences, traits, intelligence, and mental processes.

Sociological Criminology

Focuses on social factors like peers, family, economic situations, and social structure.

Psychiatric Criminology

Focuses on internal states, mental disorders, diagnoses, and psychobiological determinants.

Risk Factors

Factors that increase the likelihood or probability of antisocial or criminal behavior.

Protective Factors

Factors that shield children or adolescents from serious antisocial behavior.

Cumulative Risk Model

Additive model where multiple risk factors accumulate to increase antisocial outcomes.

ACE Study

Adverse Childhood Experiences study demonstrating a dose-response relationship with later problems.

Developmental Cascade Model

Interactive model emphasizing how one problem influences another across developmental domains over time.

Resilience Criteria

Significant threat, positive adaptation, and sufficient protective factors.

Bowlby's Attachment Theory

Attachment system evolved to promote survival and protection through safe haven and secure base.

Secure Attachment

Seeks comfort when distressed; uses caregiver as safe haven and secure base (60-70%).

Avoidant Attachment

Minimizes attachment needs; associated with caregiver withdrawal (15-20%).

Resistant/Ambivalent Attachment

Seeks and resists contact; associated with inconsistent caregiving (10-15%).

Disorganized Attachment

Fright without solution; caregiver is both source of fear and comfort (5-10%).

Internal Working Models

Mental representations of attachment figures, self, and environment created through repeated interactions.

Executive Function

Higher-level cognitive processes involving planning and goals, associated with the prefrontal cortex.

Behavior Genetics

Examines the role genes play in behavior, estimating genetic effects for antisocial behavior at ~50%.

Genetic Influence vs. Destiny

Genetic influence does not equal genetic destiny; heritability describes variation within a population.

Diathesis-Stress Model

A genetic predisposition interacts with stress or adversity to increase negative outcomes.

Differential Susceptibility

Sensitivity to both adverse and supportive environments (orchids vs. dandelions).

MAOA-L Gene

Low-activity MAOA gene ('warrior gene') showing more problems under abuse/adversity.

Behaviorism

Emphasizes observable behavior and the prediction and control of behavior (John Watson).

Classical Conditioning

Learning through associations between stimuli (Pavlov).

Operant Conditioning

Learning through consequences of one's own behavior via reinforcement and punishment (Skinner).

Positive vs. Negative (Operant)

Positive means ADD; negative means REMOVE.

Reinforcement vs. Punishment

Reinforcement increases behavior; punishment decreases behavior.

Social Learning Theory

Emphasizes cognitive processes, observation, and social environment (Bandura's Bobo doll).

Differential Association-Reinforcement

Deviant behavior is learned through interpersonal interactions and social reinforcement (Akers).

Milgram's Obedience Studies

Examined obedience to authority as a function of physical distance.

Deindividuation

Loss of individuality and self-imposed controls in crowds, contributing to group violence.

Bystander Effect

Individuals are less likely to help in an emergency when more people are present.

Moral Disengagement

Detachment from moral principles allowing harmful behavior without moral conflict.