CJ © 2011 Cengage Learning Chapter 2 Causes of Crime

Learning Outcomes LO1: Discuss the difference between a hypothesis and a theory in the context of criminology. LO2: Contrast positivism with classical criminology. LO3: List and briefly explain the three branches of social process theory LO4: Contrast the medical model of addiction with the criminal model of addiction. LO5: Explain the theory of the chronic offender and its importance for the criminal justice system. © 2011 Cengage Learning

1 LO © 2011 Cengage Learning Discuss the difference between a hypothesis and a theory in the context of criminology.

© 2011 Cengage Learning Learning Outcome 1 Criminology – The scientific study of crime and the causes of criminal behavior. Criminologists – A specialist in the field of crime and the causes of criminal behavior.

© 2011 Cengage Learning Learning Outcome 1 Criminologists attempt to discover – Correlations – relationships between variables in which they vary together. What factors are related to crime? – Causation – a relationship where one variable causes a change in another. What factors cause crime?

© 2011 Cengage Learning Learning Outcome 1 Theory – An explanation of a happening or circumstance that is based on observation, experimentation and reasoning. A hypothesis – A possible explanation for an observed occurrence that can be tested by further investigation. – Hypotheses are tested using the scientific method.

© 2011 Cengage Learning

2 LO © 2011 Cengage Learning Contrast positivism with classical criminology.

© 2011 Cengage Learning Learning Outcome 2 Choice Theory – A person commits a crime because they choose to.

© 2011 Cengage Learning Learning Outcome 2 Classical criminology – Crime is an expression of a person’s rational decision making process. – If punishments outweighed the benefits of crime, they would dissuade people from committing crime.

© 2011 Cengage Learning Learning Outcome 2 Cesare Beccaria Criminal law should reflect three truths: – All decisions, including the decision to commit a crime, are the result of rational choice. – Fear of punishment can have a deterrent effect on the choice to commit crime. – The more swift and certain punishment is, the more effective it will be in controlling crime.

© 2011 Cengage Learning Learning Outcome 2 Jeremy Bentham and Utilitarianism Punishment should use the threat of pain against criminals to insure the pleasure of society. Four goals of punishment: – Prevent all crime – Assure that a criminal commit a lesser crime to avoid a harsher punishment. – Give criminal an incentive not to harm others. – Prevent crime at the least possible cost to society.

© 2011 Cengage Learning Learning Outcome 2 Positivism – Criminal behavior is determined by biological, psychological, and social forces. – Criminal behavior is beyond the individual’s control. Rational choice theory – Criminal actions are committed as if individuals consider the costs and rewards of crime.

© 2011 Cengage Learning Learning Outcome 2 Trait Theories – Suggest there are biological and psychological causes of crime. Biology is the scientific study of living organisms. Psychology is the study of the mind.

© 2011 Cengage Learning Learning Outcome 2 Biological influences on crime include the study of – Genetics and crime. – Hormones and aggression. – The brain and crime. Psychological influences on crime include the study of – Freud’s psychoanalytic theory. – Social psychology and “evil” behavior.

© 2011 Cengage Learning Learning Outcome 2 Sociological Theories of Crime The Chicago School – Showed a correlation between poverty and high crime rate. – Neighborhood conditions have much great effect on criminal behavior than ethnicity, race, or religion.

© 2011 Cengage Learning Learning Outcome 2 Sociological Theories of Crime Social Disorganization Theory – Crime is product of unfavorable conditions

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Learning Outcome 2 Sociological Theories of Crime Strain theory – Crime rooted in strain (frustration) of not having access to resources needed for financial success. Cultural deviance theory – People adapt to the values of the subculture to which they belong. – Member of low-income subcultures more likely to celebrate behaviors that confront the values of society at large.

© 2011 Cengage Learning Mastering Concepts The Causes of Crime

© 2011 Cengage Learning Mastering Concepts The Causes of Crime

3 LO © 2011 Cengage Learning List and briefly explain the three branches of social process theory

© 2011 Cengage Learning Learning Outcome 3 Social Process Theories – The potential for criminal behavior exists in everyone. – The potential is realized depending on an individual’s interaction with society.

© 2011 Cengage Learning Learning Outcome 3 Learning Theory – Crime is a learned behavior. – Influences include family, friends, co-workers, and media. Control Theory – Even though most people have the potential to commit crime, we don’t because we care about the opinions of friends and family. Labeling Theory – Studies how being labeled a criminal affects a person’s future behavior.

© 2011 Cengage Learning CAREERPREP Social Worker Job Description: Help people cope with issues in their everyday lives, deal with relationships, and solve personal and family problems. Assist families that have serious domestic conflicts, sometimes involving child or spousal abuse. Conduct research on services in a particular area and act as an advocate for improvement of those services. What Kind of Training Is Required? A bachelor’s degree in social work is the minimum requirement, and a master’s degree in social work or a related field has become the standard for many positions. Essential qualities include emotional maturity, sensitivity to people and their problems, and the ability to handle responsibility, work independently, and maintain good relationships with clients and co ‑ workers. Annual Salary Range? $32,500–$56,500 For additional information, visit:

© 2011 Cengage Learning Learning Outcome 3 Social Conflict Theories The key component of crime is power. True crimes – those committed by ruling classes – poverty, racism, sexism. Crimes committed by powerless are justified reactions against oppressive laws.

© 2011 Cengage Learning Learning Outcome 3 Social Conflict Theories Marxism versus Capitalism – Capitalism seen as leading to high levels of violence. – Penalties for crimes protect privilege of the “haves.” Race and Gender

4 LO © 2011 Cengage Learning Contrast the medical model of addiction with the criminal model of addiction.

© 2011 Cengage Learning Source: National Survey on Drug use and Health, 2009

© 2011 Cengage Learning Learning Outcome 4 Theories of Drug Use – Social Disorganization Theory – people use drugs to cope with rapid social changes. – Subculture Theory – people use drugs because of peer pressure. – Control Theory – people use drugs because there is no social control.

© 2011 Cengage Learning Learning Outcome 4 Drugs and the Learning Process First time users: – Learn the techniques of drug-use – Learn to perceive the pleasurable effects of drug use – Learn to enjoy the social experience of drug use.

© 2011 Cengage Learning Learning Outcome 4 Models of Explanation – The Psychopharmacological Model – The Economically Impulsive Model – The Systemic Model Models of Addiction – The Medical Model of Addiction – The Chemical Model of Addiction

© 2011 Cengage Learning Learning Outcome 4 Relationship between Drugs and Crimes Psychopharmacological Model – People act violently because of drugs they take. Economically Impulsive Model – People commit crimes so they can get money for drugs. Systemic Model – Violence is by-product of relationships within the drug-using community.

© 2011 Cengage Learning Learning Outcome 4 Models of addiction – Medical model – addicts are not criminals. They have an illness and are forced into crime to feed their habit. – Criminal model – addicts endanger society with their behavior.

5 LO © 2011 Cengage Learning Explain the theory of the chronic offender and its importance for the criminal justice system.

© 2011 Cengage Learning Learning Outcome 5 The Chronic Offender = career criminal. – Small percent of criminals responsible for majority of crimes. – Led to specific strategies to apprehend and prosecute repeat offenders.