Exam 2 Study Guide Juvenile Justice Monday February 13 th Theories of Delinquency Individual Views Introduction There are over 40 million people living in poverty Most don t commit crimes There must be an individual explanation Individual level explanations for crime and delinquency can be divided into two distinct categories Choice theory Delinquents weigh the costs and benefits of crime Crime is a rational choice Delinquents are rational thinkers Trait theory Crime is rooted in biological makeup It is impulsive and instinctual Both theories are opposite of one another Rational Choice Theory Derived from classical criminology Came about from a questioning of power in feudal society Key reports Weighing costs and benefits of crime to make a rational choice Humans are sensual hedonistic beings Maximize pleasure and minimize pain Utility balance of pleasure over pain Everything we do is based on utility Humans are rational Use of instrumental reasons to process evidence We can think things through Humans are naturally free as individuals We have free will In charge of our own destinies But how do we stop these people from committing crimes Key commands Punishment should create utility Make the pain of committing crime outweigh the pleasure Non criminal behaviors now bring more pleasure Punishment should deter crime Punishment should serve as evidence Clearly defined laws that are made public and consistently administered and judges decide guilt To meet these requirements punishment should be Consistent proportional minimal swift certain NOW Severe Morality social utility Actions that create the greatest amount of good for the greatest number of people is what is morally right Does the cost of punishment and rewards of crime vary according to individual circumstances Marginal utility value of each additional unit of consumption declines as total number of units you have gets larger People who have less have less to lose and more to gain Freedom doesn t just mean the ability to choose but quality of the choices People with more technically have greater freedom People don t have a very strong perception of punishment Trait Theory Key reports Delinquents are by birth a distinct type Different from the beginning These differences predispose individuals to delinquency Individual differences are causes of crime Delinquents can be identified by abnormalities i e Genes Science can be used to distinguish crime Origins Cesare Lombroso 1835 1909 Developed the theory of atavism Atavism criminals are less evolved than normal people Big jaw flat nose extra fingers toes insensitivity to pain criminal Contemporary Biosocial Theory Criminality is the interaction between genes and environment 3 distinct areas Biochemical factors Body chemistry Environmental contaminates linked to antisocial behaviors Hormone levels related to crime testosterone Neurological factors Abnormal brain nervous system functioning can cause delinquency Minimal brain dysfunction MBD linked to aggression Learning disability LD Genetic influences Inherit genetics from family Sibling and twin studies Critiques Genes and gangs Doesn t take environment into account Focus attention on individuals Risky policy implication Monday February 15 th Routine Activities Theory Developed by Marcus Felson Lawrence Cohen Theory of victimization rather than offending Doesn t look at the why of crime Crime results from 3 things Absence of capable guardians Suitable targets Desirable Marketable able to sell it Easy concealable and transportable Motivated offender Controlling Rationalized Delinquency General deterrence Prevent the general public from committing first offense Does general deterrence work Some don t i e death penalty Some do i e random DUI checkpoints Overall evidence is mixed about effectiveness Specific deterrence Targets offenders to keep them from re offending Incapacitation prevent crime by keeping them locked up Selective Targets severe and repeat criminals i e Three strikes law Works well General Makes sentences longer for everyone Situational crime prevention Based on routine activities theory Reduce one of the three factors Make it more difficult and risky to commit crimes Target hardening techniques i e Keeps people away from suitable targets Monday February 20 th Social Disorganization Theory Developed by Shaw McKay in 1942 Urbanization industrialization and immigration were contributing factors Crime was caused by social differences Community level Macro level Assumed that communities social organizations could restrain temptations and impulses People compete for the most desirable spaces to live Those who have money get more desirable living Observations Official delinquency had a clean geographic distribution Zone of transition residential area directly around the central business district TEST Q Overtaken by industry High area of crime Neighborhoods in the zone of transition had a distinct set of social conditions Heterogeneous many different races and cultures Concentrated poverty Residential turnover as soon as people could leave they left High rate of other social problems unemployment alcoholism disease etc Even though these neighborhoods have rapid population turnover they continue to have high rates of crime and delinquency Neighborhoods must cause crime Areas TEST Q I Central business district II Zone of transition III Working class zone IV Residential zone Families Big yards and garages V Commuter zone Explanation for areas Social conditions in zone II cause social disorganization High turnover rates heterogeneity Social disorganization diminished social relations with neighbors lows levels of trust and organizational participation and no social cohesion Social disorganization led to both crime and delinquent subcultures Theory of Anomie Developed by Merton in 1957 Merton s view of human nature is that all people want to abide by the law This theory explains why the law breaks down 2 requisites for moral regulation to retain its binding force Intrinsic satisfaction You feel good by following the rules Extrinsic satisfaction Rules allow you to satisfy your appetite Culturally defined goals and socially approved means Cultural goals monetarily successful Socially approved means hard work and education Healthy society goals and means are equal Unhealthy society goals are emphasized and are more important than the means used to obtain them Example In the US we emphasize wealth over hard work We lack intrinsic