THEORIES of CRIME

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THEORIES of CRIME

• Chapter Three
• Bill Henry
• 2006

2
Theories of Crime

• If the system is going to be successful in
  preventing crime, punishing or treating the
  offender, then the system must try and understand
  why individuals commit crime

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Theories/Explanations

• Supernatural Forces Devil made me do it.
  Religion, in early times, had such a strong
  influence that any deviant behavior was
  immediately attributed to Satan.
• Trial by Ordeal Gods intervention was only way
  to determine innocence.
• Classical School of Criminology People choose to
  commit crime. The principal of free will.
  Rational thought guided behavior. Punishment
  should fit the crime, act as deterrent. (Cesare
  Beccaria, Jeremy Bentham)

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Theories/Explanations

• Positivist School Searched for a scientific
  explanation for crime causation.
• Biological Theories
• Phrenology-criminality determined by shape of the
  skull (Gall)
• Physiology/Atavisms-criminals have measurable
  physical differences from non-criminals
  (Lombroso, Hooton)

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Theories/Explanations

• Somatotyping-using body types physical
  characteristics to classify personalities.
• endomorph, soft, round, pudgy or obese. Loves
  the company of others
• mesomorph, muscular and strong. Very assertive,
  aggressive and noisy
• ectomorph, thin and fragile. Very private,
  restrained and inhibited
• XYY Syndrome-males born with an extra chromosome
  tend to commit crime

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Theories/Explanations

• Psychological theories of crime use psychology to
  explain crime causation. They are based on
  Sigmund Freuds theories of unconscious
  forces/drives
• id-like a small child, needs to be controlled.
  Pursues what it wants
• ego-the part of personality that learns to solve
  problems and acts as a brake to id. Deals with
  reality and does not allow id to cause trouble
• superego-it is the conscience. That little voice
  that tells us right vs. wrong

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Theories/Explanations

• Behaviorism, also referred to as operant
  conditioning. (Pavlov)
• Behavior is determined by rewards and punishments
• Sociological theories of crime deal more with the
  social situation and environment than the
  individual.
• Chicago school-criminal behavior caused by social
  disorganization. (poverty, poor neighborhoods,
  poor family bonds, weak social ties)
• Differential theory-crime is learned

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Theories/Explanations

• Strain theory-unequal access to social norms.
• Social control-crime occurs in relation to social
  bonds. Four elements
• commitment-commitment to society
• involvement-involved in conventional
  activities-no time to be deviant
• attachment-concerned with feelings of others
• Beliefs-belief in the social value system

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Theories/Explanations

• Labeling theory-individuals conform to the label
  given.
• Critical sociological theories are also called
  conflict theories. These theories deal with
  social justice and policies.
• Marxism-those in power control the law. Economic
  power controls the system
• Feminism-women are treated differently than men.
  Liberal feminism believes a system controlled by
  men prevents opportunity for women. Women are
  also socialized differently.

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Theories/Explanations

• Radical feminist believes that the justice system
  doesnt adequately address womens concerns.
  Socialist feminist believe that women are
  underrepresented in positions of power and
  influence.
• Critical Race Theory-indicates that people of
  color are over-represented at every level of the
  justice system. It deals with discrimination,
  prejudice and differential law enforcement.
• Integrated Theory Theorist-believes that one
  theory alone cannot explain crime.