Criminology Test - Chapters 5 & 6

These flashcards cover key concepts and definitions from Chapters 5 & 6 of the criminology test.

Biocriminology

The search for causes of antisocial behavior within the brain or body.

Behaviorism

The theory that environment and learning determine how individuals behave.

Operant conditioning

A form of learning based on positive or negative consequences of behavior.

Positive reinforcement

Rewarding successful actions to encourage desired behavior.

Negative reinforcement

Engaging in behavior to avoid something unpleasant.

Cognitive psychology

The study of memory, language, perception, problem solving, and thinking.

Antisocial personality disorder

A mental disorder resulting in disregard for the rights of others and impulsive or violent behavior.

Psychopathy

A mental disorder involving a lack of empathy.

Anomie

The erosion of standards resulting from a lack of social control and values that lead to social instability.

Classical strain theory

Says people who cannot achieve goals through legal means may try to achieve them illegally.

General strain theory

Identifies three types of strain: failure to achieve goals, loss of positive stimuli, and gain of negative stimuli.

Life-course persistent offenders

Individuals who commit antisocial behavior that continues throughout adulthood.

Adolescence-limited offenders

Those who commit antisocial behavior that is limited to the teenage years.

Collective efficacy

The measure of informal social control and social cohesion, or trust, in a community.

Labeling theory

The idea that society defines an individual, treats them differently, and the individual internalizes that label.

Control theory

Questions why most people do not break the law.

Concentric zones theory

The idea that geographical areas radiate out from an expanding urban center and each area has dominant social attitudes.

Differential association theory

The idea that offenders learn crime from each other.

Techniques of neutralization

The excuses offenders use to justify breaking the law.

Moffitt's life-course theory

Posits that individuals who commit crimes throughout their lives were never fully integrated into conventional society.

Émile Durkheim

The sociologist who created the original theory of anomie.