Unit 4 Criminology, Part 2 Ethics of Fraud Investigation

General Deterrence When a crime control policy has a restraining effect upon the population as a whole. People will commit crime and delinquency if they perceive that the benefits outweigh the risks. Crime is a function of the severity, certainty, and speed of punishment.

Specific Deterrence A crime control policy that restrains an individual’s desire to commit crime. Example: If the punishment given for driving while intoxicated was so high that it caused the offender to refrain from that activity.

People choose all behavior, including criminal behavior. The more severe, certain, and swift the punishment, the greater its ability to deter criminal behavior. People’s choices can be controlled by the fear of punishment. Choice Theory

Trait Theories

Biochemical Theory Crime, especially violence, is a function of diet, vitamin intake, Crime, especially violence, is a function of diet, vitamin intake, hormonal imbalance, contaminates, or food allergies.

Neurophysiological Theory Criminals and delinquents often suffer from brain impairment as measured by the EEG. Attention Deficit Disorder and minimum brain dysfunction are related to antisocial behavior.

Criminal traits and predispositions are inherited. The criminality of parents can predict the delinquency of children. GENETIC PERSPECTIVE

Evolutionary Theory As the human race evolved, traits and characteristics became ingrained. Some of these elements make people aggressive and predisposed to commit crime.

Psychological Theory The development of the unconscious personality early in childhood influences behavior for the rest of a person’s life. Criminals have weak internal controls and damaged personalities.

Behavior Theory All human behavior is learned through a process of social reinforcement. You are rewarded for acceptable behavior and punished for unacceptable actions. A branch of this theory is the Social Learning Theory – criminals learn to be criminals by watching others rewarded for their criminal activity.

Social Structure Theory The view that a disadvantaged economic position is a primary cause of crime.

Social Process Theory People learn criminal behavior through interactions and reinforcement from various organizations, institutions, and processes in society. This learned behavior can come from peers, education, or institutional involvement (church, school, work).

Social Conflict Theory The belief that crime is a function of the haves vs. the have-nots. One of the promulgators of this concept of the working class against the elitist rich was Karl Marx.

Integrated Theory A complex theory that involves multi – factor causation of crime. It incorporates shortcomings on behalf of an individual’s psychological and biological makeup as well as social deficiencies, which all lead to criminal activity.

Last few minutes  Be sure to post on the discussion board  Next week is Mid-Term week  Mid-Term Essay  4-5 pages; make sure you address each of the 3 points in the instructions  No Seminar  No Discussion Board