cj © 2011 cengage learning chapter 2 causes of crime

© 2011 Cengage Learning

CJChapter 2Chapter 2

Causes of CrimeCauses 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 theoryLO4: 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.


1LO


Discuss the difference between a hypothesis

and a theory in the context of criminology.


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.


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?


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.

2LO


Contrast positivism with classical criminology.


Learning Outcome 2

• Choice Theory– A person commits a crime because

they choose to.


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.


Learning Outcome 2Cesare 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.


Learning Outcome 2Jeremy 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.


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.


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.


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.


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

Sociological Theories of Crime• Social Disorganization Theory

– Crime is product of unfavorable conditions


Learning Outcome 2Sociological 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.


Mastering Concepts

The Causes of Crime

3LO


List and briefly explain the three branches of social process theory


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.


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.


CAREERPREPSocial 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: www.socialworkers.org.


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.


Learning Outcome 3Social 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

4LO


Contrast the medical model of addiction with the criminal

model of addiction.


Source: National Survey on Drug use and Health, 2009


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.


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.


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


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.


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.

5LO


Explain the theory of the chronic offender

and its importance for the criminal justice

system.


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.

cj © 2011 cengage learning chapter 2 causes of crime

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field of crime

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