Theories of Crime Causation
Cards (44)
- A set of interrelated propositions that attempt to explain why an individual commits criminal or delinquent acts.
- It is an explanation of something
- It can be defined as a set of concepts linked together by series of statements to explain why an event or phenomenon occurs.
- Can be erroneous and accurate predictions. The solution to this problem is to base knowledge on scientific observation and testing.
- An act or omission in violation of a criminal law in its legal point
- An anti-social act, an act that is injurious, detrimental or harmful to the norms of society
- Psychologically, crime is an act, which is considered undesirable due to behavioral maladjustment of the offender, acts that are caused by maladaptive or abnormal behaviors.
- It is an act committed or omitted in violation of a public law forbidding or commanding it.
- It is an act or omission that is punishable by special laws
- It is an act or omission that is punishable by the Revised Penal Code
- It is committed not only by means of deceit (dolo) but also by means of fault (culpe)
- It is an acts that are in violation of simple rules and regulations usually referring to acts committed by minors
- A person who committed a crime and has been convicted by a court for the violation of a criminal law.
- A person who violated a social norm or one who did an anti-social act
- A person who violated rules of conduct due to behavioral maladjustment
- Any person who has been found to have committed a wrongful act in the course of the standard of judicial processes
- Literally means "evil in itself", a term that signifies crime that is considered wrong in and of itself.
- A Latin phrase which means "wrong because it is prohibited". These actions are bad because the law says so
- It is achieved by explaining a given phenomenon, the simplest way possible In short, the simpler a theory, the better. Example low self-control theory - states that a person has a low self-control is often involved in criminal activity
- It is the characteristic that Indicates how much of a given phenomenon the theory seeks to explain. In short, the larger the scope the theory can explain, the better the theory. Example, of a good scope is, the theory explains criminal behavior rather than a theory that explains why theft is committed by youth gangs
- It is the extent to which a theory makes sense in terms of its concepts and propositions. It is easier to see what is meant by logical consistency by showing examples of what does not fit this criterion Example, the theory of Lombroso, born criminal, physical characteristics is the basis to tell if a person is criminal
- It is the extent to which a theory can be put to empirical, scientific testing. Some theories simply cannot be tested. "Test and Observe =Conclusion (you can use a control and random group sampling)
- A theoretical model is supported by scientific research. There should a greater weight of statistical evidence
- In the extent to which a theory can create realistic and useful guidance for changing the way that society deals with a given Phenomenon. Example, the broken window theory, which says that to reduce serious crimes, authorities should focus on the minor incivilities (bad manners) that occur in a given area
- Spiritual explanations for crime were rooted in people's religious beliefs and superstitions. The guilt or innocence of a crime, like victory or defeat in battles or disputes, was believed to be decided by divine intervention. Cures for criminal behavior ranged from religious conversion to torture and death
- It assumes that individuals have free will and choose to commit based on rational, hedonistic decisions, "they weigh out the potential costs and benefits of offending and then choose what will maximize their pleasure and minimize the pain"
- It affirms that the cause of crime is "people have free will to do the act, however when it comes to punishment, it should be individualized for the reason that there are people who commit crime because they don't understand right from wrong and likewise, there should be a difference between a recidivist and a first-time offender
- -People do not freely choose their behavior. Instead, their behavior is determined by factors outside their free will, such as genetics, IQ, education, employment, peer influences, parenting and economics
- An explanations of crime assume that some people are 'born criminals', who are physiologically distinct from non-criminals
- Theories that examine the combined affects of biology, behavior, and the environment on criminal behavior
- Approaches suggest that crime is shaped by factors external to the individual: their experiences within the neighborhood, the peer group, and the family
- A general perspective that looks to the psychological functioning, development, and adjustment of an individual in explaining criminal or deviant acts. Under this approach, the criminal act itself is important only in that it highlights an underlying mental issue
- Criminal motivation is a product of one or more of a complete set of factors
- Classical School
- Positivist School
- -an ancient way of determining someone’s guilt or innocence by making them undergo a painful, often potentially lethal, experience.
- Based on the idea that God would help the innocent by performing a miracle on their behalf. =God's verdict, judgment
- Classical Theory Proponents
- Classical Theory-Four Fold Principle
- According to ______, the crime problem could be traced not to bad people but to bad laws based on the assumption of freewill