Crime Theories Explanation Crime Theory Choice Theory Biological Criminals are _______________________ and make the ________________ to commit a crime People weigh the potential benefits and consequences of the criminal act and choose to commit Believe that a crime will provide ___________________________________________without the threat of long-term risks Biological Variation in human physical traits can explain behavior _____________________________- crime (especially violent behavior) is a function of ones diet, vitamin intake, hormonal imbalance, or food allergies Neurological- crime is a result of brain _______________________________ (lack of proper brain functions- reasoning, problem solving skills, etc) Genetic- Traits associated with violence or anti-social behavior are ____________________________ Psychological Psychodynamic 1)encounter problems in their ___________________________that cause an imbalance in their personality 2) have ____________________________________that cause them to be anxious and impulsive 3) have a ______________________________________________that allows psychosis and violent behavior. ______________________________ personality- characterized by a lack of warmth & feeling, inappropriate behavioral responses, and an ____________________________ to learn from experience Sociological Cause of crime related to _______________________________________ and social conditions Criminals _______________________________, not born Social structure & culture of ____________________________- lower classes commit more crimes & the lower classes of society form a separate culture w/ its own values and norms that are in conflict w/ conventional society. __________________________________- poor neighborhoods lack the resources to prevent criminal activity Learn from what is around you…no rules or appropriate behavior, you will lack that too Developmental As people travel through the life course, their ______________________________________ along the way influence behavior patterns Born with traits that not only cause them to be more prone to criminal activity, but lack the ability to learn from that ___________________________________________ control the probability of being a criminal offender