understanding crime and victimization. what causes crime? five theories
TRANSCRIPT
The Nature of CrimeUnderstanding Crime and Victimization
Question:
What Causes Crime?
Five Theories
Why does crime occur?
Because they want to: Choice Theory
Choice Theory
People choose to commit a crime after weighing the potential costs and benefits
Example: Drug dealing Benefit: large profit, prestige, power,
drugs Potential cost: apprehension,
punishment, loss of power
Choice Theory
According to “Choice Theory,” punishment must be strict, sure and swift to outweigh any benefits of the crime People will not choose crime if they fear
punishment (costs) Assumes that all criminals exhibit
rationality and make choices
Why does crime occur?
Because they want to: Choice TheoryBecause they’re different: Biological
Theory
Biological Theory:(Biochemical, Neurological, and
Genetic)
Linking physical traits (at birth or soon after) with tendencies toward violence, aggression, and anti-social behavior
Example: Low birth weight babies Low birth weight Poor educational
achievement Delinquency
Biochemical Factors
Antisocial behavior could be linked to:▪ Improper diet▪ High levels of sugar and caffeine▪ Environmental contaminants▪ Hormonal imbalance▪ Hypoglycemia
ABNORMAL levels of organic/inorganic substances could influence behavior
Neurological Factors
Abnormal Electroencephalograms (EEGs)▪ Hostile, nonconforming, impulsive behavior
Minimal brain dysfunction (MBD)▪ Explosive rage
Genetic Factors
Twin studies Monozygotic (identical) vs. Dizygotic
(fraternal) of the same sex Adopted children: If behavior runs
parallel with biological parents (especially father)
Why does crime occur?
Because they want to: Choice TheoryBecause they’re different: Biological
TheoryIt’s in their heads: Psychological
Theory
Psychological Theory
Linking psychological abnormality to criminal behavior
Psychological views of crime are divided into four major areas
Psychoanalytic Theory
Freudian Damage that occurs in childhood
causes an imbalance in later life▪ Neurotic: extremely anxious and fear that
impulse may break through their personality▪ Psychotic: primitive impulses have broken
through and control personality▪ Little evidence exists that mentally ill people
are any more criminal than mentally sound people
Behavioral Theory
Behavior is learned through interactions with others Social Learning Theory▪ Modeling behavior after violent adults and
reinforced by peers
Cognitive Theory
How people perceive and mentally represent the world Moral development theory▪ Distinguishing between right and wrong▪ Criminals lack ability to make moral
judgments
The Psychopath
Criminal behavior as a function of a disturbed personality Fail to learn from mistakes Not deterred by punishments Incapable of caring for others Abnormally low level of anxiety Thrill seekers; repeat offenders (serial
murderers/rapists)
Why does crime occur?
Because they want to: Choice Theory Because they’re different: Biological
Theory It’s in their heads: Psychological
Theory Society is the real culprit:
Sociological Theories
Social Structure Theory
United States is stratified Disorganized neighborhoods Deviant Values and Cultures Strain
Social Process Theory
People commit crimes as a result of socialization ▪ Family
Severe discipline, lacking warmth
▪ School Tracking, labeling Deviant peers High school dropouts
Why does crime occur?
Because they want to: Choice Theory Because they’re different: Biological
Theory It’s in their heads: Psychological
Theory Society is the real culprit:Sociological
Theories It’s Political: Conflict Theory
Conflict Theory
Economic and political forces cause criminality Criminal law and justice system control
the poor Powerful and rich impose their morality
on the entire society▪ Theft of $500 property by a poor person is
punished more severely than the misappropriation of millions by a large corporation
Other Theories
It’s a matter of development: Integrated Theories
It’s how you live: Victimization Theories