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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.
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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