Download Criminological Theories: Rational Choice, Deterrence, and Social Learning Explained and more Exams Advanced Education in PDF only on Docsity!
CCJ3011 Midterm Exam With
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What are the assumptions in Rational Choice Theory - ANSWER people are not empty vessels people are self-interested people are rational What does Rational Choice Theory Argue - ANSWER crime is an outcome of an individual's rational considerations of the risk to reward Weaknesses of Rational Choice Theory - ANSWER limited knowledge- education cognitive capacity- mental illness time limits- cant fully analyze situation overemphasis on individual will What school is deterrence theory in - ANSWER classical school what is the goal of punishment - ANSWER retribution incapacitation rehabilitation deterrence what was the process of traditional deterrence theory in 1400s - ANSWER
emphasis on retribution supernatural forces public trial (hanging) what does deterrence theory argue - ANSWER the primary purpose of law is deterrence punishment has to be severe, certain, and swift for citizens to be deterred what are the types of deterrence - ANSWER general deterrence specific deterrence general deterrence - ANSWER The state's punishment of offenders serves as an example to those in the general public who have not yet committed a crime, instilling in them enough fear of state punishment to deter them from crime specific deterrence - ANSWER Apprehended and punished offenders will refrain from repeating crimes if they are certainly caught and severely punished Perceptual deterrence theory - ANSWER Perceptions of reality, in this case punishment, and not actual or objective reality are what shape behavior weaknesses of perceptual deterrence theory - ANSWER limited empirical evidence
- moderate to null effects temporary effects unintended consequences of punishment
increase the risks of attempting to commit a crime who makes up the crime triangle - ANSWER handlers guardians managers handlers - ANSWER people they know who deter the offender from wanting to commit a crime guardians - ANSWER targets and victims have these on their property or traveling in groups managers - ANSWER responsible for the proper functioning of a particular place (guardians) what is the challenge of routine activity theory - ANSWER crime displacement the relocation of crime from one place, time, target, etc to another is crime displacement true - ANSWER not always it takes time and effort choice structuring properties - ANSWER ex if a burglary is prevented the offender may not be willing to engage in another crime to get the same rewards criminal opportunity may diminish - ANSWER a disruption in a community's criminal opportunity structure may diminish offending until new routines and cognitive maps are developed weaknesses of routine activity theory - ANSWER cant explain victimless crime
it is difficult to measure ignores motivated offenders spiritualism - ANSWER possessions are root of evil if you are innocent god will save you Biological positivism assumptions - ANSWER crime is caused by features within the individual lombrosos theory of the criminal man - ANSWER there are physical traits that determine who is a criminal you can be born a criminal, insane, occasional criminal, or criminal of passion
critics of atavism - ANSWER fails to consider environment and doesnt apply to all criminals well
enrico ferri - ANSWER criminality could be explained by studying the interactive effects among physical (race), individual (age), and social (population)
raffaele garofalo - ANSWER crimes are offenses were against the law of nature probity and pity
active genetics - ANSWER people seek out environment that may amplify things they are predisposed to
evocative genetics - ANSWER different people evoke different responses from their environment even when identical
what school is disorganization theory in - ANSWER chicago school
what perspectives are disorganization theory - ANSWER biological and sociological
what are the 5 zones in park and burgess concentric zone models - ANSWER central business district zone of transition working class residential commuter
shaw and mckay - ANSWER found that crime is highest in zone of transition, which has high poverty
arguments of social disorganization theory - ANSWER poverty, residential mobility and ethnic heterogeneity
weakness of social disorganization theory - ANSWER shaw and mckay never defined social disorganization transmission of criminal values is incompatible with theory
arguments for the systemic model - ANSWER social disorganization weakens informal social control which leads to crime neighborhoods are characterized by a system of social networks and ties
weakness of systemic model - ANSWER the presence of strong ties is not enough to prevent crime
formal social control - ANSWER regulation imposed by the state ex: police surveillance
informal social control - ANSWER any actions taken to manage human conduct and interaction that are not made by legislation ex: met through daily routines
techniques, legal codes, and definitions
strengths of differential association theory - ANSWER can account for rich people committing crime
weaknesses of differential association theory - ANSWER some crime does not need much learning people actively seek opportunities to study criminal techniques not all people exposed to bad environment commit crime
hard determinism - ANSWER the view that forces outside of our control shape our behavior
soft determinism - ANSWER human agency and recognizes that various factors influence and limit actions but leave room for individual choice that cannot be predicted
assumption of social learning theory - ANSWER human agency and soft determinism
differential association - ANSWER the process through which individuals are exposed to defintions favorable and unfavorable to illegal and law-abiding
behavior
interactional dimension - ANSWER The direct association and interactions with others who engage in certain kinds of behavior, as well as the indirect association and identification with more distant reference groups
normative dimension - ANSWER The different patterns of norms and values to which an individual is exposed through this association
negative definitions - ANSWER disapprove of a behavior
positive definitions - ANSWER define the behavior as desirable or permissible
neutralizing definitions - ANSWER define act as wrong but justify it
sykes and matza techniques of neutralization - ANSWER Denial of Responsibility Denial of Injury Denial of the Victim Condemnation of Condemners Appeal to Higher Loyalty
anderson's code of the street - ANSWER The reason that why it is that so many inner-city young people are inclined to commit aggression and violence toward one another lies in the violent "code" that prevails in the inncer ciity and governs the choices that adolescents make in their daily lives
what is code of the street - ANSWER informal rules governing interpersonal public behavior, particularly violence
anomie - ANSWER a social condition in which institutionalized norms lost their power to regulate human needs and actions
anomie strain theory at macro level - ANSWER explains the concentration of crime not only in the lower class urban areas but also in lower class minorities in general
arguments for merton's strain theory - ANSWER the strong cultural emphasis on success goals in american is not matched by an equally strong emphasis on socially approved means
what are the goals merton says americans have - ANSWER economic success occupational status
full citizenship
what are the 6 institutionalized means and values - ANSWER individual initiative hard work education deferred gratification honesty equality
conformity merton's strain - ANSWER the most common accepts the state of affairs and continues to strive for success within the restricted conventional means available
ritualism merton's strain - ANSWER One gives up the struggle to get ahead and concentrates on retaining what little has been gained by adhering rigidly and zealously to the norms
innovation merton's strain - ANSWER The most common deviant response One maintains commitment to success goals but takes advantage of illegitimate means to attain them
strong social bonds
what factors encourage criminals to act out according to agnew - ANSWER low self control prior criminal learning internalization of antisocial beliefs blaming others
what emotion does agnew focus on - ANSWER anger
what strain is most likely to cause crime - ANSWER when individuals perceive that the strain they are feeling is due to unfair treatment
what are the 4 stages of the coping process in general strain theory - ANSWER 1. individuals experience a strain
- evaluate the strain
- experience a negative emotional reaction
- cope with the strain with their negative emotions
social institutions - ANSWER link culture and social structure together in the context of the basic social functions any society must carry out to survive
Adaptation to the environment (economy) Collective goal attainment (polity) Social integration (legal system) Maintenance of the society's fundamental normative patterns (family, religion)
messner and rosenfeld - ANSWER argue the economic institution dominates other social noneconomic institutions
american dream - ANSWER fosters the breakdown of normative control
Positive side of american dream - ANSWER creates space for innovation and for moving beyond outmoded ways of doing things
negative side of american dream - ANSWER The most efficient means to monetary gain is to often break the law, rob with a gun, or to defraud the stock market through insider trading
summary of institutional anomie theory - ANSWER the US' high rate of serious crime is caused by the nation's distinctive, mutually reinforcing culture and institutional structure The American Dream serves as a powerful cultural force that generates
