Contemporary Criminology CLN4U

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

Sociological Theories Place emphasis on environmental factors (upbringing, peers, environment, etc.) Place emphasis on environmental factors (upbringing, peers, environment, etc.) Examples: Examples: Strain Theory Strain Theory Socialization Theory Socialization Theory Social Conflict Theory Social Conflict Theory

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

Socialization Theory Upbringing, peer groups, role models influence criminal behaviour Upbringing, peer groups, role models influence criminal behaviour A deviant’s sense of what is normal behaviour is skewed A deviant’s sense of what is normal behaviour is skewed

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

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

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

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