Thinking Critically Questions Chapter Three

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Thinking CriticallyQuestionsChapter Three
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• What is a theory?
• Why is it important to understand the various
  theories of criminal behavior?

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• Was Jeffery Dahmer a psychopath?
• Why or why not?

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• What are some reasons
• why juveniles join gangs?

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• Should caning of a
• convicted offender
• be allowed in the United States?

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Social Theories

• Which one of the sociological theories do you
  think explains the most crime?
• (social disorganization,
• strain, anomie, opportunity)
• Defend your choice.

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QUESTIONS

• Are criminals rational decision makers or,
• are they motivated by
• uncontrollable psychological and emotional
  drives?
• If you were caught by police while shoplifting,
• which would you be more afraid of
• receiving criminal punishment
• or, having to face your friends or relatives and
  experience shame and embarrassment?

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QUESTION

• Do you think that people who commit crime are
  physically
• or mentally abnormal?

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Intelligence and Crime

• Do you think IQ and crime are linked?
• If so, why are there more
• male than female criminals?
• Or,
• Why does aging out occur?

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Question

• Why would Durkheim suggest that crime may be
  beneficial to society?

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Labeling Theory The Basis for Self-Concept
Decision to Label
Initial Criminal Act
Detection by the Justice System
Creation of a New Identity
Acceptance of Labels
Deviance Amplification
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QUESTION

• According to the previous diagram,
• is labeling a cause of crime
• or,
• the result of crime?