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 – Correlation – the relationship between two measurements or behaviors that tend to move in the same direction. – Causation – a relationship where one variable causes a change in another.

© 2011 Cengage Learning Learning Outcome 1 Theory – An explanation of a happening or circumstance that is based on observation, experimentation and reasoning. Hypothesis – A possible explanation for an observed occurrence that can be tested by further investigation. Scientific Method

© 2011 Cengage Learning

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

© 2011 Cengage Learning Learning Outcome 2 Choice Theory – Wrongdoers act as if they weigh the possible benefits of criminal or delinquent activity against the expected costs of being incarcerated.

© 2011 Cengage Learning Learning Outcome 2 Classical criminology – Individuals have free will to engage in any behavior, including criminal behavior. – Utilitarianism

© 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.

© 2011 Cengage Learning Learning Outcome 2 Psychology and Crime – 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.

Learning Outcome 2 –Which sociological theory best explains the gang problems described in the video? –According to sociological theory, what can be done to resolve the gang problem? © 2011 Cengage Learning

Video: A Closer Look at the Mean Streets

© 2011 Cengage Learning Learning Outcome 2 Sociological Theories of Crime – Social Disorganization Theory – Strain Theory – Cultural Deviance Theory

© 2011 Cengage Learning

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 – 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 peers and family. – Labeling Theory Studies how being labeled a criminal affects a person’s future behavior.

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© 2011 Cengage Learning Learning Outcome 3 Social Conflict Theories – Marxism versus Capitalism – The social reality of crime – Race and gender – Historical injustices

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

© 2011 Cengage Learning

Learning Outcome 4 The Criminology of Drug Use – Theories of drug use – Drugs and the Learning Process – Drug Use and Drug Abuse

© 2011 Cengage Learning Learning Outcome 4 The Drug-Crime Relationship – Models of explanation Psychopharmacological Model Economically Impulsive Model Systemic Model

Learning Outcome 4 –Which model from the previous slide best explains the US Mexico drug war described in the video? –Based on the video, how would you explain the connection between drugs and crime? © 2011 Cengage Learning

Video: US Mexico Drug War © 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 Criminology and the Chronic Offender – Career criminal Small percent of criminals responsible for majority of crimes. Led to habitual offender and “three-strikes- and-you’re-out” laws.