the nature of crime understanding crime and victimization
TRANSCRIPT
![Page 1: The Nature of Crime Understanding Crime and Victimization](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062423/5697bf8a1a28abf838c8a8de/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
The Nature of Crime
Understanding Crime and Victimization
![Page 2: The Nature of Crime Understanding Crime and Victimization](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062423/5697bf8a1a28abf838c8a8de/html5/thumbnails/2.jpg)
Question:
What Causes Crime?
Five Theories
![Page 3: The Nature of Crime Understanding Crime and Victimization](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062423/5697bf8a1a28abf838c8a8de/html5/thumbnails/3.jpg)
Why does crime occur?
Because they want to: Choice Theory
(skip five lines here)
![Page 4: The Nature of Crime Understanding Crime and Victimization](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062423/5697bf8a1a28abf838c8a8de/html5/thumbnails/4.jpg)
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
![Page 5: The Nature of Crime Understanding Crime and Victimization](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062423/5697bf8a1a28abf838c8a8de/html5/thumbnails/5.jpg)
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
![Page 6: The Nature of Crime Understanding Crime and Victimization](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062423/5697bf8a1a28abf838c8a8de/html5/thumbnails/6.jpg)
Why does crime occur?
Because they want to: Choice TheoryBecause they’re different: Biological Theory
![Page 7: The Nature of Crime Understanding Crime and Victimization](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062423/5697bf8a1a28abf838c8a8de/html5/thumbnails/7.jpg)
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
![Page 8: The Nature of Crime Understanding Crime and Victimization](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062423/5697bf8a1a28abf838c8a8de/html5/thumbnails/8.jpg)
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
![Page 9: The Nature of Crime Understanding Crime and Victimization](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062423/5697bf8a1a28abf838c8a8de/html5/thumbnails/9.jpg)
Neurological Factors
• Abnormal Electroencephalograms (EEGs)• Hostile, nonconforming, impulsive behavior
• Minimal brain dysfunction (MBD)• Explosive rage
![Page 10: The Nature of Crime Understanding Crime and Victimization](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062423/5697bf8a1a28abf838c8a8de/html5/thumbnails/10.jpg)
Genetic Factors
• Twin studies– Monozygotic (identical) vs. Dizygotic (fraternal) of
the same sex– Adopted children: If behavior runs parallel with
biological parents (especially father)
![Page 11: The Nature of Crime Understanding Crime and Victimization](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062423/5697bf8a1a28abf838c8a8de/html5/thumbnails/11.jpg)
Why does crime occur?
Because they want to: Choice TheoryBecause they’re different: Biological TheoryIt’s in their heads: Psychological Theory
![Page 12: The Nature of Crime Understanding Crime and Victimization](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062423/5697bf8a1a28abf838c8a8de/html5/thumbnails/12.jpg)
Psychological Theory
• Linking psychological abnormality to criminal behavior
• Psychological views of crime are divided into four major areas
![Page 13: The Nature of Crime Understanding Crime and Victimization](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062423/5697bf8a1a28abf838c8a8de/html5/thumbnails/13.jpg)
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
![Page 14: The Nature of Crime Understanding Crime and Victimization](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062423/5697bf8a1a28abf838c8a8de/html5/thumbnails/14.jpg)
Behavioral Theory
• Behavior is learned through interactions with others– Social Learning Theory• Modeling behavior after violent adults and reinforced
by peers
![Page 15: The Nature of Crime Understanding Crime and Victimization](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062423/5697bf8a1a28abf838c8a8de/html5/thumbnails/15.jpg)
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
![Page 16: The Nature of Crime Understanding Crime and Victimization](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062423/5697bf8a1a28abf838c8a8de/html5/thumbnails/16.jpg)
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)
![Page 17: The Nature of Crime Understanding Crime and Victimization](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062423/5697bf8a1a28abf838c8a8de/html5/thumbnails/17.jpg)
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
![Page 18: The Nature of Crime Understanding Crime and Victimization](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062423/5697bf8a1a28abf838c8a8de/html5/thumbnails/18.jpg)
Social Structure Theory
• United States is stratified– Disorganized neighborhoods– Deviant Values and Cultures– Strain
![Page 19: The Nature of Crime Understanding Crime and Victimization](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062423/5697bf8a1a28abf838c8a8de/html5/thumbnails/19.jpg)
Social Process Theory
• People commit crimes as a result of socialization
• Family» Severe discipline, lacking warmth
• School» Tracking, labeling » Deviant peers» High school dropouts
![Page 20: The Nature of Crime Understanding Crime and Victimization](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062423/5697bf8a1a28abf838c8a8de/html5/thumbnails/20.jpg)
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
![Page 21: The Nature of Crime Understanding Crime and Victimization](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062423/5697bf8a1a28abf838c8a8de/html5/thumbnails/21.jpg)
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
![Page 22: The Nature of Crime Understanding Crime and Victimization](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062423/5697bf8a1a28abf838c8a8de/html5/thumbnails/22.jpg)
Other Theories
• It’s a matter of development: Integrated Theories
• It’s how you live: Victimization Theories