Recording-2025-03-12T01:12:13.854Z

Introduction to Deterrence Theory

• Deterrence theory often paired with rational choice theory.

• Originates from Cesare Beccaria, a key figure in criminological thought but not a criminologist by modern definitions.

Cesare Beccaria's Ideas about Effective Punishment

• Proposed three key ideas for punishment effectiveness:

  • Certainty: Punishment must be certain; if offenders believe they won't be caught, they are more likely to commit crimes.

  • Swiftness: Punishment must be administered swiftly to create a direct association between the crime and consequences.

  • Severity: Punishment must outweigh the pleasure derived from the crime; example: if stealing $25 has a punishment of $40, the deterrent effect is established.

• These principles have shaped contemporary deterrence theory and policies regarding proportionate sentencing.

Specific vs. General Deterrence

• Specific Deterrence: Targets individual offenders to prevent them from re-offending.

  • Example: Personal punishment for a crime discourages that individual from committing the same crime again.

• General Deterrence: Aims to deter the public at large from committing crimes by publicizing punishments.

  • People will refrain from criminal behavior if they see others facing consequences.

Routine Activities Theory

• Introduced by Felson and Cohen in the late 1970s.

• Asserts three elements must converge for a crime to occur:

  • Motivated Offender: Needs some motivation or need (e.g., financial troubles).

  • Suitable Target: The target must be accessible and unprotected (e.g., a store with an inattentive cashier).

  • Absence of Capable Guardians: Without guardians (e.g., police presence or security), crime is more likely to occur.

• Policy implications: focus on situational crime prevention and improving community safety measures.

Biological Theories of Crime

• Biological theories have largely been debunked but historical influences are worth noting.

• Lombroso's phrenology and atavistic criminal theory linked biological makeup to criminality, now considered discredited.

• William Sheldon’s body somatotyping suggested mesomorphs were more likely to commit crimes based on his prison studies.

  • Research flaws highlighted due to the limited sample (incarcerated populations).

Social Factors in Crime

• Social Disorganization Theory: Crime is prevalent in communities with weakened social structures, common in lower-income urban areas.

• Broken Windows Theory: Physical signs of disorder (like broken windows) encourage crime due to perceived lawlessness.

  • Linked to zero-tolerance policing policies; however, such practices often led to over-policing and discrimination.

Subcultural Theories and Conflict Theory

• Subcultural Theories: Explain crime through norms and values of specific groups (e.g., gangs).

• Conflict Theory: Crime is a product of power disparities in society, the law serves the interests of the ruling class and criminalizes the actions of the underclass.

Social Strain Theory

• Originates from Emile Durkheim’s concept of anomie, focusing on the gap between societal goals and legitimate means to achieve them.

• Robert Merton posited that this strain leads individuals to turn to crime when legitimate paths are unavailable.

Life Course Theory

• Examines how life experiences (including social bonds and turning points like marriage and employment) affect criminal behavior.

• Argues that desistance from crime often correlates with important life transitions.

General Strain Theory

• Developed by Robert Agnew, identifying sources of strain:

  • Failure to achieve positive goals (e.g., not being able to afford desired items).

  • Removal of positive stimuli (e.g., loss of support systems).

  • Exposure to negative stimuli (e.g., bad influences).

Social Control Theory

• Focuses on why individuals do not commit crimes, emphasizing strong social bonds (family, community) as protective factors against criminal behavior.

Self-Control Theory

• Proposes that low self-control leads to criminal behavior, correlating with impulsivity and risk-taking.

Cognitive Processes in Crime

Neutralization Theory

• Suggests that offenders rationalize their actions to justify deviance, employing techniques of neutralization to appeal to their moral framework.

  • Examples include denial of responsibility and denial of injury.

Learning Theories

• Criminal behavior, like any behavior, is learned through interaction with others, especially within primary relationships of family and peers.

• Emphasizes the role of pro-social learning and cognitive restructuring in reducing crime.

Labeling Theory

• Claims that no act is inherently criminal; rather, it becomes criminal when labeled as such, leading to potential secondary deviance.

  • Becker's concepts of primary and secondary deviance illustrate the process of internalizing criminal labels, which can affect future behavior.

Policy Implications of Theories

• Highlight the importance of detecting the intricate relationship between criminological theory, policy, and societal outcomes.

• Recognition of the significance of diversionary programs for first-time offenders to prevent labeling and stigma.

• Understanding of policies such as zero tolerance that can backfire by increasing stigma, discrimination, and subsequent criminal behavior.

Conclusion and Future Directions

• Encouragement for further exploration into diverse criminological theories, including feminist theory, Marxist criminology, and critical criminology, among others.