Chapter 2 Causes of Crime © 2015 Cengage Learning

Learning Outcomes LO1: Discuss the difference between a hypothesis and a theory in the context of criminology. LO2: Contrast the medical model of addiction with the criminal model of addiction. LO3: Distinguish between the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) and self-reported surveys. © 2015 Cengage Learning

Learning Outcomes LO4: Describe the three ways that victims’ rights legislation increases the ability of crime victims to participate in the criminal justice system. LO5: Identify the three factors most often used by criminologists to explain changes in the nation’s crime rate. © 2015 Cengage Learning

LO1 Discuss the difference between a hypothesis and a theory in the context of criminology. © 2015 Cengage Learning

Theory Criminology Criminologists 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. © 2015 Cengage Learning

Criminologists attempt to discover Theory Criminologists attempt to discover Correlation–the relationship between two measurements or behaviors that tend to move in the same direction. Causation–a relationship where one variable causes a change in another. © 2015 Cengage Learning

Theory Theory Hypothesis Scientific Method An explanation of a happening or circumstance that is based on observation, experimentation and reasoning. Hypothesis A possible explanation for an observed occurrence that can be tested by further investigation. Scientific Method © 2015 Cengage Learning

Figure 2.1 The Scientific Method © Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. © 2015 Cengage Learning

Rational Choice Theory Wrongdoers act as if they weigh the possible benefits of criminal or delinquent activity against the expected costs of being incarcerated. © 2015 Cengage Learning

Theory 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. © 2015 Cengage Learning

Theory Biological influences on crime include the study of: Biochemistry Hormones Testosterone © 2015 Cengage Learning

The brain and crime–neurophysiology: Theory The brain and crime–neurophysiology: Serotonin Norepinephrine Dopamine Yakobchuk Vasyl/Shutterstock.com © 2015 Cengage Learning

Theory Sociological Theories of Crime The Chicago School Showed a correlation between poverty and high crime rate Neighborhood conditions have much greater effect on criminal behavior than ethnicity, race, or religion. © 2015 Cengage Learning

Sociological Theories of Crime Theory Sociological Theories of Crime Social Disorganization Theory Strain Theory Social Conflict Theory Michael DeMocker/The Times-Picayune/Landov © 2015 Cengage Learning

Social Conflict Theories Theory Social Conflict Theories Marxism versus Capitalism The social reality of crime Race and gender Historical injustices Stuart Isett/Bloomberg via Getty Images © 2015 Cengage Learning

Figure 2.2 The Stages of Social Disorganization Theory © Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. © 2015 Cengage Learning

Theory Social Process Theories Learning Theory Control 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 peers and family. Life Course Behavioral patterns developed in childhood predict delinquent and criminal behavior later in life. © 2015 Cengage Learning

Social disorganization Control theory Social learning Drug Use Social disorganization Control theory Social learning Learn the technique of drug use. Learn to perceive the pleasurable effects of drug use Learn to enjoy the social experience of drug use © 2015 Cengage Learning

LO2 Contrast the medical model of addiction with the criminal model of addiction. © 2015 Cengage Learning

Models of Addiction Medical Model Addicts are not criminals. Mentally or physically individuals forced into acts of petty crime to feed their habit Enslavement theory of addiction © 2015 Cengage Learning

Models of Addiction Criminal Model Illegal drug abusers and addicts endanger society. Behavior should be punished as other offenders. Bob Combs/Photo Researchers via Getty Images © 2015 Cengage Learning

LO3 Distinguish between the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) and self-reported surveys. © 2015 Cengage Learning

Uniformed Crime Reports (UCR) National Incident-Based Reporting System Crime Measured Uniformed Crime Reports (UCR) Part 1 and 2 offenses National Incident-Based Reporting System Victim surveys Dark figure of crime Self-report surveys © 2015 Cengage Learning

LO4 Describe the three ways that victims’ rights legislation increases the ability of crime victims to participate in the criminal justice system. © 2015 Cengage Learning

Legal rights of crime victims Victims Rights Legal rights of crime victims Right to be informed Right to be present Right to be heard Restitution Victim services © 2015 Cengage Learning

Victims Rights Risk of victimization A likely offender A suitable target The absence of a capable guardian AP Photo/Press of Atlantic City, Danny Drake © 2015 Cengage Learning

LO5 Identify the three factors most often used by criminologists to explain changes in the nation’s crime rate. © 2015 Cengage Learning

Crime in US Imprisonment Youth populations Economy Offender incarcerated is unable to commit crime on the street, potential perpetrator does not want to be in jail Youth populations Age out of crime Economy Scarce legitimate opportunities © 2015 Cengage Learning