Unit 9: Conflict Criminology and Integrated Theories Marxist Thought Karl Marx focused his attention on the economic conditions perpetrated by the capitalists He identified the economic structures in society that control all human relations Production has two components: 1. productive forces 2. productive relations He proposed the notion that unequal distribution of power and wealth produce crime Crime develops as a result of social conflict

Unit 9…. Critical Criminologists’ Crime Definition Crime is a political concept designed to protect the power and position of the upper classes at the expense of the poor Criminals are products of the society and its economic system To control crime, a society must remove the social conditions that promote crime Critical Criminologists’ View of the Cause of Crime The key crime-producing element of modern corporate capitalism is the effort to increase surplus value To increase surplus value, workers can be made to toil harder for less pay As the rate of surplus value increases, more people are displaced from productive relationships Marginalization: as more people are placed outside the economic mainstream, a larger population is forced to live in areas conducive to crime

Unit 9…. Contemporary Critical Criminology Critical criminology views crime as a function of social conflict and economic rivalry It seeks to identify economic structures in society that control all humans It rejects the notion that the law is designed to maintain a tranquil, fair society and that criminals are malevolent people who wish to trample on the rights of others They consider the acts of racism, sexism, imperialism, unsafe working conditions, inadequate child care, substandard housing, pollution, and war-making as a tool of foreign policy, to be “true crimes.”

Cont….. Critical Theory and Public Policy Seek to reduce conflict and competition in society If conflict and competition in society could somehow be reduced, it is possible that crime rates would fall Reduce harsh punishment of offenders Peacemakers look for ways to bring law violators back to the community Has adopted nonviolent methods and applied them to what is known as restorative justice

Unit 9 cont… Developmental Theory The view that criminality is a dynamic process, influenced by social experiences as well as individual characteristics Developmental factors include biological, social, and psychological structures and processes Attempts to provide a more global vision of a criminal career encompassing its onset, continuation, and termination Difference between this theory and many others is that it attempts to explain what prompts one person to engage in persistent criminal activity while another finds a way to steer clear of crime

Questions of Developmental Theory Why do people begin committing antisocial acts? Why do some stop while others continue? Why do some escalate the severity of their criminality while others deescalate and commit less serious crimes as they mature? What causes people to begin to commit crime again once they have stopped? Why do some criminals specialize? Unit 9…

Cont.. Life Course Theory Views that criminality is a dynamic process Individual characteristics, traits, and social experiences influence this process Theoretical views studying changes in criminal offending patterns over a person’s entire life As people travel through their life course they are exposed to perceptions and experiences and thus their behavior may change as well Considered integrated theories Life Course Theory Concepts Problem Behavior Syndrome (PBS) Pathways to crime Age of onset/Continuity of Crime Adolescent-limited and life-course persisters

Cont… Age Graded Theory Individual traits and childhood experiences are important to understand the onset of delinquent and criminal behavior – They alone cannot explain the continuity of crime into adulthood Experiences in young adulthood and beyond can redirect criminal paths Repeat negative experiences create cumulative disadvantage Positive life experiences can help a person become reattached to society (social capital) Delinquents can choose to “go straight” Find more conventional paths more beneficial and rewarding

Cont.. Factors that could increase criminality Weak social bonds Accumulation of deviant peers Labeling by the justice system Unemployment or underemployment Long-term exposure to poverty General theory of crime (self-control theory) – The most prominent latent trait theory – Shifted focus from social control to self control The view that the cause of delinquent behavior is an impulsive personality Those who are impulsive may find that their bond to society is weak

Seminar #1 What are your opinions of the“Age-Graded Theory“?

Seminar #2 What are your thoughts of the view that people change and situations change with regards to explanations of crime?

Seminar #3 What are your thoughts of the view that people don’t change, only the situation changes with regards to explanations of crime?

Unit 9 Project Write a 4-6 page paper (excluding cover page and references) that examines the development of social and/or public policies in an effort to reduce crime. Considering everything you have learned up until this point, analyze what we in society as well as the criminal justice system may need to do to reduce crime. From chapters , select at least 5 of your favorite theories. These theories include, but are not limited to the following 23 different theories: Routine Activities Theory, Rationale Choice Theory, Deterrence Theory, Biological Traits (Biochemical, Neurophysiological, Genetics or Evolutionary), Psychological Traits (psychodynamic, behavior theory, cognitive theory, personality, or intelligence), Biosocial, Social Structure (Social Disorganization, Stain, or Cultural Deviance), Social Process (Differential Association, Techniques of Neutralization, Social Bond, or Social Reaction), Conflict Theory, Integrated (Age-graded Theory or General Theory of Crime). Briefly define the main elements of your selected theories. Assess what social and/or public policies that have been created based on these selected theories. In your opinion, discuss whether you think these policies have worked to help reduce crime.

Project cont… Format: Include a title page with full name, class name, section number and date. Provide an introduction (introduce the main points that will be covered). Develop the central theme in the body of paper (In other words, address the main requirements). Provide a conclusion (summarize the main points that were discussed). Use examples to support your discussion where appropriate. Write in 3 rd person and avoid using words like � I, � � Me, � � You, � � Us, � � Our � and etc. except in the section in which you are providing your opinion. Adhere to APA style formatting (12 point font, double space, 1" margins, indentions). Proofread and spell check. Use in-text citations where appropriate. Cite all sources on a separate reference page at the end of your paper.