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Week 3: Causes of Crime

Week 3: Causes of Crime.  Beyond knowing “ How Much ” we also want to know “ Why ” crime occurs What causes it? The basic assumption = nothing happens for no reason If we can identify the reason: We can understand & explain it We can prevent it. How to explain what causes crime?.

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Week 3: Causes of Crime

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  1. Week 3: Causes of Crime  Beyond knowing “How Much” we also want to know “Why” crime occurs What causes it? The basic assumption = nothing happens for no reason If we can identify the reason: We can understand & explain it We can prevent it. How to explain what causes crime?

  2. Historically, three kinds explanations have been used. • Supernatural (theological) • Crimes = effects of evil forces • Classical (philosophical) • Crimes = choices by free-willed rational actors • Positivist (scientific) • Crimes = effects of causal factors

  3. A. Supernatural • Old and most basic explanation of crime (but still regarded as most useful by many people) • Basic Premise: Visible ordinary events are caused or directed by unseen, extraordinary powers (that are beyond natural powers) • Deterministic explanation of crime • General form  demonic possession & temptation  lead to unusual CJ processes • Reliance on rituals and torture to reveal the true devil behind the evil acts • Use of torture and mutilation to get rid of the devil • Its place in 21st century CJ?

  4. B. Classical framework • Developed during “the Enlightenment” (18th century), reflecting: • Impact of science & philosophy: • Mathematics & logic • Psychological “Hedonism” • individual free-will & rationality • An idealistic, philosophical framework • Neo-Classical framework (20th century) • Making classical theory more realistic • Combining philosophy & science

  5. C. Positivist (scientific) framework • Developments of Science in 19th century • Elaboration of “scientific method” • Emphasis on cause-effect explanations • Emphasis on empirical data • Naturalism • Scientific progress in biology & medicine • Development of statistical analysis • Development of theory of evolution • Deterministic philosophy of behavior • Further developments in the 20th century

  6. C. Positivist (scientific) framework • Positivist explanation of crime • Replacement of philosophy/religion by science • Reliance scientific method & research • Causal explanation (determinism & materialism) • Types of positivistic theories of “the causes of crime” • Biological – in the body • Psychological – in the mind • Sociological – in the social environment

  7. C. Positivist explanations of crime • Biological Positivism • Body shapes and morphology • Lombroso’s “atavisms” (primitive humans) • Sheldon’s “somatotypes” (physiques) • Genetics • heritability • Mapping the human genome • Neurological factors • Brain structures • Neurotransmitters

  8. C. Positivist explanations of crime • Psychological Positivism • Mental Abilities (intellectual deficiencies) • Development of IQ tests & deficiency theory • Learned habits & behaviors • Crime as Conditioned habits (Pavlov; Skinner) • “Behavior mod” • Personality structures • Psychodymatic theory (Freud; ego psychology) • Psychopathic personality theory; DSM-III • Cognitive processes • Cognitive development theory (Piaget)

  9. C. Positivist explanations of crime • Sociological Positivism • Social Structural theories  the causes are in the macro-level conditions of society • Merton’s Strain theory (structure in society) • Social Disorganization theory (neighborhoods) • Cultural Deviance theory (Subcultures) • Social Process theories  causes are in micro-level relationships & situations • Social Control (Bonds) theory (Hirschi) • Differential Association theory (Sutherland) • Social Identity theory (Labeling)

  10. Emphasize the contrasts between the three perspectives. • How do they see human nature differently? • What different kinds of criminal justice policies or practices would they encourage or suggest?

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