What does Conflict Theory argue about the definition of 'criminal'?
Click to see answer
It reflects the interests of the powerful rather than a universal sense of right and wrong.
Click to see question
What does Conflict Theory argue about the definition of 'criminal'?
It reflects the interests of the powerful rather than a universal sense of right and wrong.
How was criminal behavior viewed in early societies?
It was often attributed to an evil influence or possession by the Devil.
What were common methods for dealing with individuals exhibiting criminal behavior in early societies?
Identifying and exorcising the evil influence or removing the individual from society.
What is the definition of criminology?
The study of the nature, causes, and means of dealing with crime.
What significant historical events influenced new approaches to studying crime in the early 1500s?
The Scientific Revolution and the Reformation.
What was the primary method of justice during Medieval times?
Trial by ordeal.
How are theories of criminal behavior related to society?
They are linked to the underlying beliefs and priorities of a society.
What did Freud believe about unresolved psychological conflicts?
They could manifest as deviant behavior later in life.
What did secular theories of criminal behavior emphasize?
The role of the government rather than the Church.
How was guilt or innocence determined in a trial by ordeal?
By subjecting the accused to a painful or dangerous experience.
What is the main argument of Marx and Engels in the Communist Manifesto regarding criminal behavior?
Criminal behavior is linked to social and economic inequalities in societies.
What physical features were associated with a lack of evolution according to certain theories?
Sloping forehead, large ears, pronounced jaw, long arms.
What do contemporary biological trait theories suggest about criminal behavior?
They suggest that biological or congenital traits and chemical imbalances can predispose individuals to criminal behavior.
What are the roots of the word 'criminology'?
Crimen (crime) + Logos (doctrine).
How did Freud suggest treating criminals and those with mental illness?
Through Psychoanalysis.
How did the field of science impact theories of criminal behavior?
It shifted the understanding from religious to scientific explanations.
What belief supported the practice of trial by ordeal?
That if the individual was innocent, God would protect them during the ordeal.
What shift did certain theories mark in the understanding of crime?
From viewing crime as a rational choice to seeing it as a product of biological and psychological factors.
What is the main idea of Strain Theory?
It suggests that the emphasis on wealth and power leads individuals without quality education or good job access to break the law to achieve their goals.
According to Marx and Engels, what role do laws and the criminal justice system play?
They are tools used by the ruling class to maintain power and control over the working class.
What is Psychoanalysis according to Freud?
A method of dealing with repressed or unconscious memories.
What is an example of a condition that can predispose someone to criminal behavior?
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS).
What type of experiences were involved in trial by ordeal?
Painful, unpleasant, or dangerous experiences.
How do traditional and social media influence criminal behavior according to Strain Theory?
They 'advertise' the lifestyles of the rich and famous, creating pressure on individuals to attain similar comforts.
How have the theories regarding congenital defects and crime been viewed today?
They have been largely discredited.
What causes crime according to the conflict theory proposed by Marx and Engels?
Crime arises when individuals, particularly from disadvantaged groups, react to oppression and exploitation.
From where do Freud's unresolved psychological conflicts often stem?
From childhood.
What factors can cause hormone or chemical imbalances that influence criminal behavior?
Diet, drug use, or genetic factors.
What creates strain in society according to Strain Theory?
The gap between societal expectations and limited opportunities.
Who is Emile Durkheim?
A sociologist known for his contributions to social structure theory.
What is a real-life case that exemplifies strain theory?
The case of the 2014 Ferguson protests following the shooting of Michael Brown.
What did individuals in the 1900s begin to explore regarding criminal behavior?
Biological and psychological reasons.
How are scientists expanding their understanding of criminal behavior?
By learning more about body and brain functioning, and the impact of diet and drugs.
What is the basis of Jeremy Bentham's theory of utilitarianism?
The pursuit of pleasure and the avoidance of pain.
What is the outcome of the strain between societal expectations and limited opportunities?
It leads to criminal behavior as individuals seek to achieve their goals.
What did Durkheim argue was the cause of crime rates in cities?
The loss of traditional values and bonds as people moved to big cities.
Who founded the 'Positivist' school of criminology?
Cesare Lombroso.
How did societal pressures contribute to the criminal behavior in the Ferguson case?
Poverty, systemic inequality, and lack of educational opportunities in the community created a sense of frustration and hopelessness, leading to protests and, in some instances, criminal behavior.
According to Bentham, why do individuals commit crimes?
They believe the benefits of committing the crime outweigh the consequences.
How did urbanization affect individuals according to Durkheim?
It caused isolation and a disconnection from society.
What societal factors are often associated with strain theory?
Poverty, lack of education, and social inequality.
What concept did Lombroso introduce regarding criminals?
The idea that some people are 'born criminals'.
What has enabled the recognition of abnormal brain development or functioning?
Brain monitoring and imaging.
What is the title of Beccaria's influential book?
On Crimes and Punishments.
What did Sigmund Freud believe caused criminal behavior?
Mental illness or a weak conscience.
How should laws and punishments be designed according to Bentham?
To maximize societal happiness by deterring criminal behavior.
What feeling did individuals experience in large cities, according to Durkheim?
A feeling that they were not playing a meaningful role in society.
What is strain theory?
A theory that suggests individuals turn to crime when they experience a disconnect between societal goals and the means available to achieve them.
What is another term for Lombroso's approach to criminology?
Anthropological criminology.
Which area of the brain is associated with decision-making and impulse control?
The prefrontal cortex.
What are the three parts of the psyche according to Freud?
The id, the ego, and the superego.
What does Beccaria's theory emphasize about crime?
Crime is a rational choice made based on a cost-benefit analysis.
When should punishment be used according to Bentham?
Only when it prevents greater harm and is proportionate to the crime.
With which theory was Durkheim's social structure theory later combined?
Strain Theory.
How can abnormalities in the prefrontal cortex affect behavior?
They can impair a person's ability to regulate emotions and behavior, leading to increased aggression or poor decision-making.
What did Lombroso believe about the physical characteristics of criminals?
That they were physically different from non-criminals.
What does the id represent in Freud's theory?
Instinctual desires.
What motivates individuals to commit crimes according to Beccaria?
Self-interest, when the benefits outweigh the consequences.
What concept in criminal justice was shaped by Bentham's ideas?
The concept of deterrence.
What factors are explored as potential contributors to deviant or criminal actions?
Brain injuries and hormonal imbalances.
What role does the ego play in Freud's model of the psyche?
Rational thought.
What did Beccaria argue regarding punishments?
They should effectively deter crime.
What does the neurophysiological theory link to behavior?
Biological influences.
What foundation did Beccaria's work lay for modern society?
Criminal justice reform advocating for fair laws and against harsh punishments.
What is the function of the superego in Freud's theory?
Moral conscience.
Who was Cesare Lombroso?
An Italian physician and criminologist who is considered a founder of the positivist school of criminology.
What is the focus of criminology?
Theories on the causes of criminal behavior.
What can happen if the id's impulses are too strong?
Individuals may act out in antisocial ways, including committing crimes.
What was Lombroso’s theory of the 'born criminal'?
Lombroso theorized that some individuals are biologically predisposed to criminal behavior, identifiable by physical features.
What do biological theories of crime suggest?
That genetic and physiological factors influence criminal behavior.
What can lead to criminal behavior according to Freud?
An imbalance between the id, ego, and superego.
What are phrenology and physiognomy?
Phrenology is the study of skull shapes to determine personality traits, while physiognomy involves assessing character from facial features; both were used to explain criminal behavior.
What is the main idea behind psychological theories of crime?
That individual psychological traits and mental health issues can lead to criminal behavior.
How did Lombroso’s theories reflect late 19th-century thinking?
His theories often linked race with criminality, reflecting the era's scientific racism and social Darwinism.
What do social structure theories emphasize?
The impact of social and economic structures on criminal behavior.
How does Ted Bundy's case challenge Lombroso’s theory?
Bundy was physically attractive and charismatic, contradicting Lombroso's idea that criminals can be identified by their appearance.
What is the conflict theory's perspective on crime?
That crime is a result of social and economic inequalities.
How do Lombroso’s ideas compare to modern understandings of criminal behavior?
Modern theories consider a combination of psychological, social, and biological factors, rather than relying solely on physical characteristics.
What does strain theory propose?
That societal pressures can lead individuals to commit crimes when they cannot achieve culturally approved goals.
