Chapter 2: Why do we do it?

Question 1

Sociological criminology examines

Answer 1

• Patterns of crime within social structure
• Dynamics of interaction between individuals and social institutions
• Effects of social stratification

Question 2

Development of Biological Theory

Answer 2

Sociobiology and criminology

• Biology, environment and learning are mutually interdependent
• Personal traits separate deviant from non-deviant
• Personal traits account for different responses to similar conditions

Question 3

Cesare Lomboroso (1835-1909)

Answer 3

• Known as “father of criminology”
• Concept of ‘phrenology’
• Poor research method
  Ideas were abandoned in early 20th century

Question 4

Contemporary Trait Theories

Answer 4

• Criminality can be explained by individual differences
  Both biological and psychological
  May be genetic, neurological or chemical
• Focus on basic human drives, not legal definitions
  E.g., aggression, impulsivity
• Trait works in combination with environmental and social factors
  Focuses on chronic offenders, criminal careers

Question 5

Hormones

Answer 5

Used to explain gender differences in behaviour
- Associated with impulsivity, emotional volatility and antisocial emotions

Androgens
- Testosterone has been linked to violence

PMS

• Belief that antisocial behaviour increases shortly before menstruation
• Research evidence mixed
• PMS defence only used a few times

Question 6

Neurophysiology -

Brain Scans

Answer 6

Impairments in prefrontal lobes thalamus, medial temporal lobe, superior parietal and left angular gyrus areas of the brain

Question 7

Neurophysiology -

MBD (minimal brain dysfunction)

Answer 7

May be manifested in episodes of rage associated with child and spousal abuse, suicide, homicide
Common in prison populations

Question 8

Arousal Theory

Answer 8

• High risk activity causes arousal (stimulation)

- Too much arousal causes anxiety, too little causes boredom

Question 9

“Sensation seekers”

Answer 9

Require high levels of stimulation, seek our exciting activities
May include criminal & violent activities

Question 10

Level of arousal may be result of

Answer 10

Brain chemistry, number brain cells with neurotransmitter, receptor sites, heart rate

Question 11

Evolutionary Views of Crime

Answer 11

1) Aggression facilitates dominance over scarce resources
- Provides advantage in survival and reproduction
2) Gender differences in reproduction encourage aggression in males
- More sexual partners, more offspring
- Aggressive males have greater impact on gene pool
- Accounts for jealousy, war, spousal abuse

Question 12

Social Learning Theory

Answer 12

Basic premises of behaviourism
- Behaviour is supported by rewards, extinguished by punishments
Crime is learned response to life situations

Question 13

Social Learning Theory - Albert Banudra

Answer 13

• Aggression is learned, not innate
• Requires personal observation of aggression or rewards for aggression
• Involves behavior modeling of family members, community members and mass media

Question 14

Social Learning of Violence

Answer 14

Violence and aggression are produced by:

• An arousal event (provocation)
• Learned aggressive skills
• Expected success and rewards
• Pro-violence values

Question 15

Media & Violence

Answer 15

• Aggressive scripts
  Violence is copied
• TV violence increases arousal level
• TV violence promotes attitude change
• TV violence promotes justification for violence
• Media violence may disinhibit aggressive behaviour

Question 16

Rational Choice Theory
Classical Theorist
Cesare Beccaria (1738-1794)

Answer 16

• On crimes and punishment (1764)

- “Let the punishment fit the crime”

Question 17

Principles of Rational Choice Theory

Answer 17

• Crime is result of careful thought & planning
• Criminals choose crime based on
  Personal needs
  Situational factors
• Crime depends on
  Chances of being caught
  Anticipated punishment
  Need for gain

Question 18

Structuring Criminality

Decision to commit crime depends on:

Answer 18

1) The location
- Ability to avoid detection
2) The target
- No one home, cash in till
3) The available means & techniques
- Skills & tools needed for the job

Question 19

General Deterrence

Answer 19

Fear of punishment which inhibits crime results from

1) Certainty of punishment
2) Severity of punishment
3) Celerity (speed) of punishment

Question 20

Why Death Penalty Is Ineffective

Answer 20

• Murder is often a “crime of passion”, not planning
• Occurs under the influence of alcohol, drugs
• By-product of crimes related to poverty

Question 21

Specific Deterrence

Answer 21

Convicted criminals

• High rates of recidivism
• ⅔ of incarcerated are rearrested within 3 years
• Recidivism lower for those on probation

Question 22

Can Incapacitation Deter Crime?

Answer 22

• Research is inconclusive
• Incarceration may increase recidivism
• Strict incarceration may reduce violent crime

Question 23

Structural Theories of Violence

Basic Perspectives

Answer 23

• Economic class position is the primary cause of crime
• Economic and social forces in low income neighbourhoods push residents into crime
• Crime is mainly the work of youth gangs and underemployed young adults

Question 24

Social Structure Theories - Strain Theory

Answer 24

Barriers to achievement create frustration and anger, resulting in crime

Question 25

Strain Theory - | Poverty

Answer 25

- Development of isolated lower-class culture - Lack of conventional socal opportunities - Racial and ethnic discrimination

Question 26

Strain Theory - | Maintenance of Conventional Rules and Norms

Answer 26

- Remain loyal to conventional values and rules of dominant middle-class

Question 27

Strain Theory - | Strain

Answer 27

- Lack of opportunity coupled with desire for conventional success produces strain and frustration

Question 28

Strain Theory - | Formation of Gangs and Groups

Answer 28

- Youth form violating groups to seek alternative means of achieving success

Question 29

Strain Theory - | Crime and Deliquency

Answer 29

- Methods of groups (theft, violence, substance abuse) are defined as legal by the dominant culture

Question 30

Strain Theory - | Criminal Careers

Answer 30

- Most youthful gang members “age out” of crime | - Some continue as adult criminals

Question 31

Cultural Deviance Theory

Answer 31

Criminal behaviour reflects distinctive values and attitude of lower class

Question 32

Coping with Strain

Answer 32

Crime (violence) results from: - Continuous or repeated strain - Few resources for coping with strain

Question 33

Coping with Strain | Explains

Answer 33

Peaking of crime in adolescence

Question 34

Coping with Strain | Support for GST

Answer 34

- Indicators of strain (family break-up, school failure) are associated with crime - Stress and anger are associated with crime

Question 35

Jackman 4 themes | 1

Answer 35

the important of physical injuries vs. psychological, social, and material injuries

Question 36

Jackman 4 themes | 2

Answer 36

the weight placed on physical vs. verbal and written actions

Question 37

Jackman 4 themes | 3

Answer 37

the role of force vs. the victim complicity in the infliction of injuries

Question 38

Jackman 4 themes | 4

Answer 38

the emphasis on interpersonal vs. corporate agents and victims

Question 39

Code of the Street | Anderson

Answer 39

poor young African American male develops a code of the street when strong sense of personal honour combined with corresponding emphasis on guarding against personal affronts and insults

Question 40

Social Structure Theories - Social Disorganization Theory

Answer 40

Urban conditions of underemployment and poverty undermine social institutions which normally control criminal behaviour.

Question 41

Social Structure Theories - Cultural Deviance Theory

Answer 41

Criminal behaviour reflects distinctive values and attitudes of lower class.

Question 42

What theory best explains the phenomenon of violence?

Answer 42

no one theory can be used to explain the phenomenon of violence