4.2 Criminology

What is social control?

Enforcement of conformity by society

What is self control?

What we feel is morally right to do

What is socialisation?

We conform to rules and internalise them

What is the superego? (Freud)

our moral compass

What are the issues that can occur with the superego?

Weakly developed - impulsive, no guilt

Too unforgiving - compulsive, craves punishment

Deviant - internalise crime

What is Kohlberg’s theory?

There are six stages of development and criminals don’t progress past stage 4

Evaluation of internal forms of social control

Inconsistent across individuals

Allows criminals to blame their superego

Doesn’t address situational pressures or the root of societal issues

What is coercion?

The action of persuasion through force or threats

How does Social Learning Theory link to social control?

Authoritative figures model behaviour

How do Left and Right Realism link to social control?

Reform CJS agencies to increase their efficiency

How does Marxism link to social control?

Exploitation from hierarchy and inequality

How does Functionalism link to social control?

Agencies are cultural reproduction

What is control theory? (1969)

Individuals conform due to their bonds to society

What are the four steps to control theory?

Attachment - close bonds, don’t want to disappoint others

Commitment - cultural goals, don’t want to risk losing assets/job

Involvement - too busy, no time for crime

Belief - ideological agreement to follow laws

What is sex role theory?

Living in a patriarchal society means men have more opportunities to commit crime

What is containment theory?

Self control and external discipline/supervision work together

Evaluation of control theory:

Only benefits the ruling class

Legitimises increased force

(Labelling theory) Crime is a response to social control

Criminalises everyday life

Creates a society of saints

What is retribution?

Inflicting punishment on an offender as revenge for their crime

What theory links to retribution?

Right Realism - offenders act rationally, tough punishments should be used

What criticisms are there of retribution?

Offender deserves forgiveness

Doesn’t undress underlying causes

What is a proportionate punishment?

What is rehabilitation?

Punishment that changes an offender’s behaviour to prevent recidivism

What theories link to rehabilitation?

Left Realism - addresses the root causes, challenge traditional CJS agencies

Cognitive - behaviour affected by mental processes

Operant Learning - consequences shape behaviour

What is deterrance?

Discouraging an individual from committing a crime (general or specific)

What theories link to deterrance?

Right Realism - offenders make rational choices so weigh up costs and benefits

Social Learning - behaviour is a result of modelling others

What criticisms are there of deterrance?

Assumes criminal make rational decisions

Assumes consequences are known

What is a severe punishment?

There is still a 50% recividism rate!

What is public protection?

Protect the public by removing an offender’s ability to reoffend (execution or incapacitation)

What theories link to public protection?

Right Realism - zero tolerance policing

Biological Theories - criminals can’t change so killing them will stop them

What criticisms are there of public protection?

Increases overcrowding in prisons

Ignores the causes of crime

Unjust?

What is reparation?

Offender makes amends for their actions (e.g Restorative Justice)

What theories link to reparation?

Functionalism - repair is essential for society to function

Labelling Theory - reparation counters the negative effects of labelling

What aims of punishment does imprisonment meet?

Retribution, Deterrance and Public Protection

Statistics from Bromley Briefings on Community Sentences:

Only used in 9% of cases

Use has fallen by 46% since 2006

8.3% more effective than imprisonment

What aims of punishment do community sentences meet?

Reparation and Rehabilitation

What aims of punishment do discharges meet?

Conditional - deterrence (requires good behaviour otherwise sanctions imposed)

Absolute - deterrence (experience alone as there is no punishment)

Statistics on the use of financial penalties:

61% of fines are written off or uncollected

What aims of punishment do financial penalties meet?

None - they are the least effective form of punishment