Social disorganization causes crimeSocial disorganization=Evaluation Social Disorganization: What would fit Frank say?Is it tautologicalTautology = circular reasoningBADEvaluating Social Disorganization: What would Fit Frank say?Does it create interesting puzzles?Is it testableDoes it have Empirical Support?Prat and CullenWhat are the Policy ImplicationsCriticismsEcological fallacyIf I live in a bad neighborhood then I must be badCommunity changeNot all lower class communities lack organizationAssumes “natural housing market”Collective EfficacySampson, Raudenbush & Earls (1997)Published in ScienceExamined rates of violence in 343 neighborhoodsConcentrated disadvantagePovertyRace and age compositionDisruptionSampson et al. (1997) findings:Concentrated disadvantage related to violence!BUT mediated through Collective EfficacyConcentrated disadvantage college efficacy violent crimeDefined:Willingness of residents to exercise informal social controlOpposite of social disorganizationMutual trustSocial cohesionSocial capital = communities where residents are close and trust one anotherNot simply opposite of social disorganizationNot as simple as being organizedNot simply informal social controlAddition of mutual trust and supportCrime theoriesDo NOT explain ALL crimeExplain as much crime as possibleGenerally focus on street crimeMust be observableMust be replicatedWhat is a theory?Theory explains crime/phenomenaSimple understanding of complex eventsFormal definition:A theory is a set of interrelated propositions that allow for the systemization of knowledge, explanation, and prediction of social life and the generation of new research hypothesesMain goals of theory: COPEOrganizesExplainsPredictsControlFit Frank Likes Coffee, Not Tea, Icicle Pansies Planted Indoors Easy Sundays, Green Peas, Tomatoes and BeansA good theory:Fits the FactsCrime is committed disproportionately by:MalesYouth (ages 15-25)Unmarried peopleThose living in large citiesLogical ConsistencyInternal ConsistencyLogicExample:Age crimeNEVER: crime age (doesn’t make sense)Not TautologicalTautology = circular reasoningExample:Social Disorganize Crime;Crime SDCrime CrimeExample:Gottfredson and Hirschi (1990)Low self-controlCreates Interesting PuzzlesHad Policy ImplicationsHas Empirical SupportGeneralizableParsimonyTestabilityBroad in scopeEarliest Explanations of CrimeSpiritual ExplanationsCriminals “possessed” by demonsTx: Develop methods to remove demonsObservable?Policy Implications:Kill Criminal – torture/mutilationEx. Hot CoalsChanges in 1700’sPeople resentful of punishmentsWealthy not punished; only peasants“Enlightenment”HobbesLockeRousseauClassical SchoolThomas Hobbes (1651) LeviathanAll agreed that people are self interestedCesare Beccaria (1764) On Crimes and PunishmentsAll human behavior = free willPunishment can deter crimeIdeas are the basis of the Classical School:In order for punishment not to be,, in every instance, an act of violence of one or many against a private citizen, it must be essentially public, prompt, necessary, the least possible in the given circumstances, proportionate to the crime, dictated by the laws.Jeremy Bentham (1789) An Introduction to the Principles of Morals and LegislationEnglish economistHedonistic CalculusAll human behavior = free willPeople are rationalPrevent Crimes through punishmentSwiftSevere (proportionate to crime)CertainPeople have to know they are going to be punished if they do the crimeKey: Communication of threatPeople have to know what’s coming and understand the punishmentClassical School of ThoughtAssumptions:Society is good, people are badAll people motivated to commit crimePeople are rational beingsFree willUtilitarian philosophyDeterrenceContemporary of Classical schoolPopular in 1950s-1970Basic premise: Free willPeople choose to commit crimePleasure of crime same for allCan prevent crime through punishmentDeterrence, definedRational calculation: Pleasure vs. PainBased on:Own experienceKnowledge of punishmentsAwareness of others’ sentencesCJS must be reasonable and fairEncourage people to obey law!Main elements:Proportional severityPunishmentsCelerityCertaintyMore effective than severityTwo Ways Deterrence OperatesSpecific (or “special”) DeterrencePunish one person to prevent that one person from committing crime againGeneral DeterrencePunish one person to prevent everyone else engaging in crimeKey: Communication of threat!Policy ImplicationsIncreased penaltiesMore severe sentencesAdditions to police forceIncreased certainty of conviction and sentencingEmpirical EvidenceTwo Research MethodsObjective DeterrenceCertainty and severityDifficult to study celerityStudies not sophisticatedPerceptual DeterrenceAbsolute vs. Restrictive DeterrenceAbsolute DeterrenceThroughout life(not really relevant)would never engage in crimeRestrictive DeterrenceSome time periodDoes deterrence work?Low negative correlations between certainty and offendingSeverity has weaker effectBottom line:Some deterrent effect, but empirical validity limitedCriticismsGenderPolicyInformal sanctionsDoes not specify point in CJS where deterrence is activatedContemporary DeterrenceModified ideas of free will and rationalityBounded rationalityTipping pointsTells us where the point is. For the people willing to offend, the level of probability that those people inhibited.Tittle and Rowe (1974)Brown (1978)Chamlin (1991)Yu and Liska (1993)Neoclassical CriminologyThe modern-day application of classical principles to modern date issues. Often used in get tough-social policies.Rational choice theory:Belief that criminals make a conscious, rational, and at least partially informed choice to commit crimeCost-benefit analysisRoutine Activities TheoryAlso called lifestyles or opportunity theory:Lifestyles contribute significantly to both volume and type of crimeThree elementsMotivated offendersSuitable targetsAbsence of capable guardiansAttempt to reduce criminal opportunities by changing peoples routine activities, increasing guardianship or incapacitating offendersSituational Choice TheorySituational Choice Theory:View criminal behavior as a function of choices and decisions made within a context of situational constraints and opportunitiesCrime can be reduced by changing the feature of the environmentExample:Speed bumps prevent speedingDead ends creates less escape routes for robbersOffender focusedFour Objectives:Increase the effort involved in
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