Introduction to Theories of Crime Causation with Crime Prevention (Video Notes)

Vocabulary flashcards covering core concepts, theories, and key figures from the lecture notes on crime causation and prevention.

Criminology

The interdisciplinary study of crime, criminals, crime control, and the social, cultural, and individual causes of illegal behavior.

Hypotheses

Statements about relationships between factors derived from theories, testable by empirical data.

Theory

A logically interconnected set of propositions explaining relationships among phenomena, generating testable hypotheses; aims to predict and guide research and policy.

Predictive Accuracy

The degree to which a theory correctly predicts observed outcomes; a core criterion for theory merit.

Predictive Scope

The range of empirical phenomena a theory can account for or derive hypotheses about.

Parsimony

Preference for simpler explanations with fewer independent variables when predictive power is similar.

Falsifiability

The quality of a theory being testable and disprovable.

Macro Theories

Theories that explain crime at the societal or global level, dealing with social structures and processes.

Micro Theories

Theories focusing on individuals or small groups, explaining variations in criminal behavior; often called role theories.

Epidemiology (in criminology)

The study of crime rates and their distribution across populations; used to describe macro patterns.

The Seven Approaches to Criminology

Theoretical Science; Problem Solving; Verstehen; Descriptive Approaches; Critical Work; Nihilistic Thinking; Amelioration.

Theoretical Science

A criminology approach that uses theory to explain why/how phenomena occur; seeks deductive, testable theories.

Problem Solving Criminology

Focus on solving crime problems; includes evaluations of programs and ad hoc explanations.

Verstehen

German for 'to understand'; researchers seek to understand actions from the subjects' point of view.

Descriptive Approaches

Describe crime phenomena and classify variables; often theory-neutral.

Critical Work

Analyzes social conditions causing suffering or injustice related to crime; links to capitalism, inequality.

Nihilistic Thinking

A view denying the possibility of knowledge in criminology; theory seen as biased or meaningless.

Amelioration

A style of criminology that emphasizes remedies and practical changes to reduce crime; action-oriented.

Routine Activities Theory

Crime requires a motivated offender, a suitable target, and lack of capable guardians.

Deterrence

Punishments deter crime; core elements are certainty, swiftness (celerity), and severity; plus perceptual deterrence.

Perceptual Deterrence

An individual’s belief about the likelihood of arrest and the severity of punishment, which may differ from reality.

Beccaria

Father of classical criminology; argued for free will, rational choice, and deterrence; punishment should deter.

Classical Criminology

Crime as a rational choice; deterrence-based; emphasizes free will and punishment to deter.

CPTED

Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design; modifying environments to make targets less attractive.

Rational Choice Theory

1980s formulation focusing on cost-benefit calculations of committing crime; linked to situational crime prevention.

Left Realism

Criminology that emphasizes victims and relative deprivation; advocates social reform and realistic crime prevention.

Right Realism

Deterrence- and surveillance-focused criminology; emphasizes rational actor and preventive measures.

Anomie/Strain Theory (Merton)

Crime arises when there is a gap between cultural goals and legitimate means; leads to conformist, innovator, ritualist, retreatist, or rebel adaptations.

Subcultural Theory

Cohen’s status frustration and differential opportunity (Cloward & Ohlin) explain delinquency through subcultures with distinct values.

Social Bonding Theory (Hirschi)

People conform when strong social bonds (attachment, commitment, involvement, belief) exist; weakened bonds increase delinquency.

Social Control Theory

Explains why people obey; emphasizes informal controls (family, school, peers) and containment.

Labeling Theory

Deviance results from societal labeling; primary vs secondary deviance; self-fulfilling prophecy via looking-glass self.

Differential Association (Sutherland)

Criminal behavior learned through interactions with others and their normative definitions.

Differential Reinforcement (Akers)

Criminal behavior is influenced by rewards and punishments that follow or deter actions.

Social Learning Theory (Akers)

Criminality is transmitted through learned behavior via differential association, reinforcement, imitation, and other processes.

Imitation

Copying behavior modeled by others; influenced by perceived rewards and risks.

Biological Theories of Crime

Crime rooted in biology: genetics, brain function, hormones, and physiology, often interacting with environment.

Lombroso

Proposed the 'born criminal' and atavistic biology; later criticized; foundational to biological positivism.

Atavism

Criminals as biological throwbacks with primitive traits; linked to Lombroso’s early theory.

Chicago School / Social Disorganization

Crime linked to neighborhood structure; disorganized communities produce higher delinquency.

Life-Course Theory

Developmental approach examining onset, persistence, and desistance of criminal behavior over a life span.

Merton’s Anomie Theory Adaptations

Conformist, innovator, ritualist, retreatist, rebel—ways individuals respond to blocked goals.

Differential Opportunity Theory (Cloward & Ohlin)

Illegitimate opportunities are distributed unevenly; subcultures arise as adaptations: criminal, conflict, retreatist.

Neoclassical/Deterrence Policy Implications

The practical use of deterrence and other theories to shape crime prevention and policing.

Life-Course Turning Points

Events that redirect an individual’s criminal trajectory (e.g., marriage, employment,military service).

Social Development Model (SDM)

An integration of bonding, social learning, and development perspectives; supports positive attachments and commitments.

Self-Control Theory (Gottfredson & Hirschi)

A single, stable trait—low self-control—predicts criminal and deviant behavior across contexts.

Containment Theory

Internal and external supports resist impulses toward crime, reducing delinquency.

Propensity vs Opportunity

Criminal behavior results from an interplay of individual propensity and favorable opportunities.

Opportunity Theory (Cohen, Cloward & Ohlin)

Criminal opportunities arise when environments provide easy means to commit offenses.

Merton vs Cohen on Deviance

Different lenses: Merton focuses on goal-means gap; Cohen emphasizes status frustration and subculture response.

Policy Implications of Criminology

Applications of theory to programs, laws, and practices intended to prevent crime and aid victims.

Falsifiability (Ellis reference)

A theory must be testable and open to being disproven by evidence.

Empirical Validity

Support for a theory derived from and consistent with research findings.

Macro vs Micro Epistemology

Macro explains big-picture crime patterns; micro explains individual behavior and processes.

Neurophysiological Conditions

Brain functioning and neurotransmitter balance influencing behavior and aggression.

Predictive Scope vs Simplicity

Trade-off between explaining more phenomena and staying simple; focused theories preferred when predictive power is similar.

Behavioral Genetics

Studies how genetics and environment interact to influence behavior, including criminality.

Public Policy and Crime Prevention

Strategies derived from theory to reduce crime, such as education, surveillance, and social programs.