Class #5: 2-13-25

Understanding Criminal Offending

• Introduction to theories of crime

• Discussion of criminology and psychology

  • Importance of social psychology in understanding behaviors and influences

  • Lack of a single theory to explain criminal behavior

Historical Context and Theories

• Social Psychology: Focuses on the self and behaviors in social contexts.

• **Theoretical Frameworks:

  • Criminological Theory:** Discussions include sociological and biological perspectives influencing criminal actions.

  • No single theory is universally accepted as definitive for explaining crime.

Community and Crime Trends

• Notable decrease in property crimes from 2015 to 2019:

  • 43% decrease in youth property crimes noted.

  • Significant crime rate reductions attributed to community collaboration and public policies.

• Events between 2014-2018 contributed to crime trends:

  • Identified drop during the political climate and community support during this period.

  • Mention of factors such as vehicle advancements making them harder to steal.

Violence and Crime Statistics

• Continuous decline in serious violent offenses among juveniles:

  • Youth aged 12-17 responsible for 61% decrease in serious offenses between 2005 and 2015.

  • Despite declines, violent crime rates remain high with vulnerable groups affected.

Economic Influences on Crime

• Discussion of inflation and socio-economic factors:

  • Rising costs may lead to increased crime rates, as people become economically distressed.

  • Mental health correlation with crime discussed, indicating a growing concern about its impact on behavior.

• Critique of political decisions and public safety policies:

  • Concerns about political influence on law enforcement and justice.

Representation of Violence in Media

• Media portrayal of school violence vs. street violence:

  • Misconceptions on where most violence occurs, with school shootings often overshadowing everyday violence.

  • Discussion on public perception influenced by sensationalism.

School Violence and Public Perception

• Contrast between school shootings and daily violence among youth:

  • Examples of mass shootings in schools versus violence in neighborhoods.

  • Emphasis on the need for equal concern for all types of violence impacting youth.

Theories in Psychology and Criminology

• Exploration of crime theories:

  • Definition of a theory within psychology and criminology.

  • Acknowledgment of multifactorial causes of criminal behavior, including:

    • Biological influences, parental relationships, and community factors.

• Integration of理论和心理学在法律中的重要性:

  • Relation between crime theories and the formation of legal policies and rehabilitation strategies.