What is a theory?Attempts to organize, explain, and predict crime, deviance and/or conformity in the simplest wayWhat are the elements of a good theory?Fits the FactsLogical ConsistencyNot TautologicalCreates Interesting PuzzlesHas Policy ImplicationsHas Empirical SupportGeneralizableParsimonyTestimonyBroad in ScopeWhat are the main Goals of a Theory:OrganizeExplainsPredictsControlWhat are the main tenets of Positivist Criminology? Give an example:Crime is caused by biological, sociological and psychological factorsExample: biological theoryWhat are the main tenets of Classical Criminology? Give an example:Society is good, people are badAll people are motivated to commit crimePeople are rational beingsFree willCrimes must be taken care of in a swift, severe (proportionate to crime) and certain wayCommunication of threatWhat are the differences between Positivist and Classical Criminology?Crime is NOT caused by free willPlease define:Crime:Breaking the lawDeviance:Going against social normsConformity:Conforming/obeying social normsSocial Norm:Societies rules (morals, folkways, taboos, etc.)The 3 sources of data commonly used in criminology?Official DataVictimization SurveyOffender SurveyDefine:Mens rea:Criminal mindActus rea:Criminal actMala in se:Bad acts in themselves- prohibited everywhere (murder, rape)Mala prohibita:Something that is prohibited, but not everywhereList the 8 Part 1 crimes recorded by the FBI:HomicideRobberyAuto theftArsonRapeAssaultBurglaryLarcenyTrace the origins of both the Classical and Positivist school of Criminology:Demonological/spiritual explanations classical school positive schoolWhite collar crime and organized crime. What is the difference?What is deterrence? How is it different from rational choice theory?Contemporary of Classical schoolPleasure vs. PainBased on own experienceKnowledge of punishmentsAwareness of others’ sentencesProportional severity (punishments)CelerityCertainty (more effective than severity)What are the 3 elements of social disorganization theory?How does social disorganization theory connect with collective efficacy theory?Define ecological fallacy. How does this apply to social disorganization theory?Trace the evolution of differential association theory to social learning theory- from Sutherland to Akers.What is primary and secondary labeling?Trace the evolution of Strain theory from Anomie to General Strain theory (from Durkheim to Merton to Agnew). Be sure to include the main points of each theory:What are the 5 techniques of neutralization? Who developed this perspective?Social Bond theory- author and main elements:Self-Control theory (AKA General theory of crime)- author and main elements:Developmental theories:Sampson and Laub (1993):Moffit (1993):Focus on onset, desistance and persistence in criminal behavior:Routine Activities Theory- main tenets:Motivated offendersSuitable TargetsAbsence of capable guardiansAttempt to reduce criminal opportunities by changing peoples routine activities, increasing guardianship, or incapacitating offenders3 key principles of crime research/investigation:EmpiricismSensesObjectivityFree from biasedControlUsing placebosThe best demographic predictor of crime:Gender/SexThe 3 principles that make criminological research scientific:Empiricism, objectivity, controlThe four elements of the social bond:Attachment, commitment, involvement and beliefQuestion asked by control theorists:Why do people obey the law?In learning terms, this term increases behavior and this term decreases behavior:ReinforcementsPunishmentsOther ways to learn, according to AkersImitation and modelingThe difference between Decent and Street families:Decent = middle class valuesThese crime measures get at “the dark figure of crime” and deal with issues causes by “the crime funnel” (NCVS)Self-report and victimization dataThe four elements of the social bondAttachment, commitment, involvement and beliefWolfgang and Ferracuti’s subculture of violence focuses on explaining this:Lower class violent crimeThis type of learning incorporates imitation and observations of others:Social learningWhat Akers added to Differential Association:Operant conditioningUnintended consequencesLatent functionPrimary source of official crime data in the USUCRDifference between Hirschi (1969) and G&H (1990)Social bond vs. Low self-controlThe main idea of differential association (6th proposition)“a person becomes delinquent because of an excess of definitions of law violation:The criminologist who proposed social learning theoryAkersPolicy implications, Broad scope, fits facts, NOT tautological, Logical consistency…Criteria of a good theoryDifference between formal and informal social controlFormal = CJSInformal = OthersElements of Routine ActivitiesLack of capable guardians, suitable target, motivated offenderUCR Part 1 offenses:Murder, robbery, rape, assault, burglary, larceny, auto theft and larcenyPeople engage in crime because…Their bond to society is weakened or brokenHow is crime learned, according to SutherlandWhat happens in interactions with othersThis type of learning incorporates reinforcements and punishmentsOperant conditioningMost significant turning points, according to Sampson and LaubMarriage and employmentEarliest explanations of crimeWhat are spiritual/demo logicalThe study of crime is called:CriminologyDifference between misdemeanor and felonyMisdemeanor < year in jailFelony > year in prisonDifferential associations have these 4 characteristicsFrequency, intensity, priority, durationPavolv’s dogs are an explain of this type of learningClassical conditioningThe denial of victim justification implies this:What is the victims deserved the injury under the circumstancesAccording to “the new face of terrorism” chapter in the Cromwell text, the majority of research concludes this about most terrorists:Most terrorists are psychologically NORMALStrain of “anomie” according to MertonWhat is disjunction between means and goalsCrime committed during course of legitimate occupation for one’s own beliefOccupational crimeRe-analyzing data already collectedSecondary analysisCulture conflict theoryAka culture deviance theoryClash of values over what is acceptable behaviorDifferently socialized groupsThorsten Selling (1938) Culture Conflict and CrimeRoot cause of crime = different values about what is acceptable behaviorSellin:Conduct NormsProvide evaluative basis for human behaviorAcquired early in life
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