Criminology Theories CLN 4 U Mr Mac Donald

Criminology Theories CLN 4 U – Mr. Mac. Donald

Nature vs Nurture ¡Theories of criminology generally fall into one of two categories ¡ Biological Theories ¡ Criminal are “born” ¡ Sociological Theories ¡ Criminals are “made”

Biological Theories ¡Most criminologists in this area agree that biology alone does not create a criminal ¡They see it as an interaction between certain inherited traits and the environment

Positivism – Born ¡Positive Theory (focused on biological and physiological factors ¡Criminals are born, not made (Nature not Nurture) ¡XYY theory (abnormal chromosomes) and physical characteristics (size of jaw and teeth) died out due to moral implications

Biological Trait Theory ¡Certain traits that are believed to be inherited may predispose criminality ¡Intelligence ¡Personality ¡Genetic makeup ¡Also looks at environmental factors that affect biology ¡Diet (see the “twinkie defence”) ¡Influence of hormones, especially androgens ¡Prenatal exposure to drugs or alcohol

Neurophysiological Theories ¡Certain neurological dysfunctions are related to criminal behaviour ¡ If this is true, then proper medications may be able to correct dysfunction, and therefore criminality

Sociological Theories ¡Place emphasis on environmental factors (upbringing, peers, environment, etc. )

Theory of Anomie ¡Leading Sociologist – Emile Durkhiem ¡Urban vs. Rural ¡Functionalism – everyone has a role; especially criminals that make it function ¡Diffusion of Responsibility – “someone else will take care of it”

Ecological School ¡Behavior foster and encouraged in certain environments

Social Conflict Theory ¡Marxist influence: capitalism creates disparity, which creates crime ¡Not necessarily always “rich vs poor”, but more accurately “the powerful vs the powerless” ¡ Theories that examine oppression based on gender, race, etc. and its effect on crime are also Social Conflict theories

Social Psychological Perspective ¡Social psychology is the study of the relations between individuals and people. ¡They are interested in how ‘regular’ people can commit atrocious crimes. ¡Stanley Milgram was specifically interested in how Nazi’s were able to commit horrible acts of genocide – he focused on how people could do this just by following orders.

Psychoanalytical Theory ¡Sigmund Freud believed that all humans have criminal tendencies. ¡It is through socialization that these tendencies are controlled during childhood. ¡If a child has an identity problem with his/her parent, this problem may cause the child to direct its antisocial tendencies outward and thus become a criminal.

Socialization Theory ¡Upbringing, peer groups, role models influence criminal behaviour ¡A deviant’s sense of what is normal behaviour is skewed ¡Ex. Paul Bernardo and Karla Holmoka

Strain Theory ¡People commit crimes when they see no legitimate way to achieve their goals ¡Explains why there is more crime among the economically disadvantaged