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Criminology Study Guide: Key Concepts and Theories, Exams of Advanced Education

This study guide provides a concise overview of key concepts and theories in criminology, covering topics such as the classical and positivist schools, biological theories, and social disorganization. It explores the nature of crime, different theoretical perspectives, and the role of biological factors in criminal behavior. The guide also touches upon modern biocriminology and its limitations.

Typology: Exams

2024/2025

Available from 02/19/2025

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Criminology
scientific study of crime, especially why people commit crime...based on scientific
method
How is criminology scientifically observed
by testing predictions through observations and then applying the findings to a larger
body of knowledge
Where did criminology begin
The late 1700s in Europe, but the US became a major contributor later on
What is criminology a subdiscipline of
sociology
Is criminology interdsciplinary
yes
How is criminology different from criminal justice science as a field of study
criminology is an academic discipline that uses the scientific method to study the
nature, extent, cause, and control of criminal behavior
How is criminal justice different from criminology as a field of study
Criminal justice is a system made up of agencies of social control
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Criminologyscientific study of crime, especially why people commit crime...based on scientific method How is criminology scientifically observedby testing predictions through observations and then applying the findings to a larger body of knowledge Where did criminology beginThe late 1700s in Europe, but the US became a major contributor later on What is criminology a subdiscipline ofsociology Is criminology interdsciplinaryyes How is criminology different from criminal justice science as a field of studycriminology is an academic discipline that uses the scientific method to study the nature, extent, cause, and control of criminal behavior How is criminal justice different from criminology as a field of studyCriminal justice is a system made up of agencies of social control

What is a theory (model, perspective, approach)a sequence of statements made to explain why an event or phenomenon occurs What is crimeActs that are specifically prohibited by legal codes of a given jurisdiction (legalistic approach) What does "Mala in se" mean and what is an example of itevil in itself, involve serious violence such as homicide and rape and create shock in society What does "Mala prohibita" mean and what is an example of itevil because prohibited, aren't inherently evil acts but only bad because law says so, such as gambling, prostitution, drug use, traffic violations What are the Four Major Theoretical ParadigmsClassical School Perspective, Positivist School Perspective, Conflict/Critical Perspective, and the Integrated Theoretical Models What is the Classical School Perspectiveindividuals have free will and choose to commit crimes based on rational, hedonistic decisions. They weigh out cost and benefits of offending and choose what maximizespleasure and minimizes pain What School of thought is based on maximizing pleasure and minimizing painClassical School What is the Positivist School Perspective

Who are the most influential contributors to the Classical School of CriminologyCesare Beccaria and Jeremy Bentham

What is deterrencecrime may be controlled through fear of punishment, specific or general

What did Cesare Beccaria believe in regards to punishmentthat punishment works best when it's perceived to be swift, certain, and severe

Which perspective considers Determinism as more important than Free WillPositivist

Which perspective has a Biopsychosocial Model and uses the scientific methodPositivist

Under the Positivist Perspective, who are some contributorsCesare Lombroso: Biology, Sigmund Freud: Psychology, and Emile Durkheim: Sociology

When did Biological theories in criminology kick offthe 1870s

What do biological theories in criminology arguethat crime is not a rationally reasoned behavior which will occur unless prevented by proper threat of punishment, rather its a result of inborn abnormalities Which theory argues crime is a result of inborn abnormalitiesBiological theories

Which theory considers Nature > NurtureBiological Theory

Why are biological theories racistbecause it feeds into eugenics

How does the biological theory view criminalsAs a distinct set of people who were biologically inferior to law-abiding citizens, or criminals are inherently defective in some way What did Cesare Lombroso observeHe observed the physical characteristics of italian prisoners compared to italian soldiers (measuring skulls)

that it can be triggered by biological factors and they have different probabilities ofoccurring depending on the environment and individual confronts

What does modern biological theory say criminal behavior results fromThe interaction of biology, behavior, and the environment because many genes may affect brain functions that increase the chances of an individual learning complexbehavior patterns

In biological perspective, what is a likely explanation for criminal behavior to involveComplex interplays among learning and genetic, hormonal, and neurochemical factors all operating within a complex evolved social system What is evolutionary criminolgyArgues that many contemporary humans have developed over time. Natural selection includes how our ancestors killed enemies and genetic "Superman" having XYYchromosomes

What is assortative matingwhen individuals mate with those who are similar to themselves

What was Nedelec and Beaver's (2012) studies aboutdelinquents and sexual activity

What does Contemporary Biocriminology includebrain scans (MRI, EEG, PET/CT scans), studies of psychopaths and career criminals

Who is a key person in contemporary biocriminologyAdrian Raine

What is important about the prefrontal cortex in regards to criminologyIt is essential in controlling behavior, its susceptible to damage from drugs and alcohol, and it is the center for empathy What is different about psychopaths prefrontal cortex'sThey are perfectly impaired

What two things do neurotransmitters controlsLevels of dopamine and Seratonin

What happens when there are low levels of seratoninthere is an increased proclivity for violence

What happens when there are high levels of dopaminethere is a greater likelihood of risky/antisocial behavior (psychopaths are more sensitive to rewards)

cocaine use and genetic expressions What did Walsh and Yun say about epigeneticsBreast-feeding, maternal alcohol consumption, smoking, and drug use play a role in genetic expression What are some crime prevention tacticsNutrition, fish oil, home visitation (parent training), and school-based strategies

What are some rehabilitation suggestionsCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Therapeutic Communities (TC), Physical Fitness, and Incarceration Consequences What important thing came out of the Graham v. Florida caseIt acknowledged that adolescent brains aren't fully developed

What is the "CSI Effect"This is the belief by jurors that there are always scientific tests for evidence gathered by forensic scientists. It also is an increase in the general knowledge of procedures andprocesses that criminalists do in gathering evidence which can be a good thing. Thisimpacts genetic evidence in court

What are some of the limitations of Biocriminology

premature conclusions, "broken brain", doesn't account for all offenses, statisticallimitations to brain scans, human behavior can't be successfully predicted, stigma, andoverall small scope

When did the Social Disorganization Theory originateDurkheim's Suicide (1897) and the Division of Labor (1892), social shift from countryside to cities, labor is more complex and the social shift led to new roles and finallydelinquency and crime

What did the Chicago School doIt was the 1st Sociology department in the US and they studied the social ecology of Chicago What did Park and Burgess (1925) say about Social Disorganization Theorycompetition over space

What did Ernest Burgess come up withThe concentric zone Model

What is the Concentric Zone Modelrings, 1: Central Business district, 2: Transitional Zone, 3: working class zone, 4: residential zone, 5: commuter zone

illegitimate births What are some critiques of SDTcenter of city is desirable to live in, Concentric Zone Theory is too specific to Chicago, Foreign born families don't positively affect crime rates, the ecological fallacy (macrotheory doesn't explain micro processes), problems of biased and "zero-tolerance"policing

What is collective efficacytrust and dependence among neighbors, their willingness and ability to take action if problems arise, and social infrastructure providing a buffer from crime What is Social Capitaland invisible resource existing within social relations

What are the two elements of social capitalsocial structure and facilitating actions of actors within a social structure, basically using your social ties to further your abilities, access, and skills What does one do with Social Capitaluse your social network to accomplish goals facilitated by social structure, and SC leads to actions with expectations of indirect reciprocity

Example of using Social capitalasking your professor for a recommendation

What does social capital become a resource for addressingIt helps address local issues because of interconnectedness and trust between neighbors (Social Capital->Social Organization->Local Actions) Collective Efficacy among neighborsCommon goal between neighbors, willingness to achieve safety, a realization that community goals are same What are the policy implications collective efficacymore investment in research and evaluation, engaging in problem solving, targeting problems and intervening, restoring public spaces used for socializing, organizing thecommunity and encouraging volunteering

Critiques of Collective Efficacydoesn't explain the whole problem between social structure and crimes, lacks a universal definition, doesn't always predict crime (Medellin), lack of knowledgeregarding residents

Who came up with Classic Anomie TheoryEmile Durkheim

What happens as a result of Anomie according to MertonEconomic success becomes more important than playing by the rules, US success and social inequality create strain What does anomie > Social class createan imbalance and encourages people to bypass normative means, so if there is jealousy of another's success deviance becomes an option What does Merton's anomie say about the economyInstitutions of family are overruled by economic goals, therefore cultural dominance of the economy leads to "cultural disjunction" What does eocnomic dominance doIt weakens, collapses, and destroys

What are critiques of Merton's Strain theoryit is shallow, unorganized, and from Durkheim

What does Messner and Rosenfeld say about Crime and the American Dreamaffects structures such as education, family, and politics. Leads to unchecked capitalism manifesting

What does unchecked capitalism causedevaluation of noneconomic functions, accommodation to economic requirements by other institutions, and penetration of economic norms into other institutions What is Institutional AnomieDirect- social norms don't regulate society well, indirect- imbalance between institutions inhibits social control What is Agnew's general strain theorybroadened the focus of strain theory by arguing there are multiple sources of strain

What does General strain theory say about stressors leading to crimeThat crime is used to cope with, reduce, or escape strain and negative emotions

When does GST say crime results inWhen the individual lacks outlets to cope in a legal manner

What are the 3 categories of strainFailure to achieve positively valued goals, loss of positively valued stimuli, and presentation of noxious/negative stimuli