Criminology CLN4U

What is “crime”?

What is “criminology”? Criminology refers to the study of the nature, causes, and means of dealing with crime Criminology refers to the study of the nature, causes, and means of dealing with crime

Classical Criminology Classical theories on criminology came out of the chaos of justice in the 18th and early 19th centuries Classical theories on criminology came out of the chaos of justice in the 18th and early 19th centuries Some key thinkers: Some key thinkers: Cesare Beccaria Cesare Beccaria Jeremy Bentham Jeremy Bentham

Cesare Beccaria Famous for writing On Crimes and Punishment Famous for writing On Crimes and Punishment Humans are driven by self-interest, but are rational in their decisions Humans are driven by self-interest, but are rational in their decisions Government should act on behalf of all citizens Government should act on behalf of all citizens Citizens are prepared to give up some freedoms in exchange for protection Citizens are prepared to give up some freedoms in exchange for protection Existence of law should act as sufficient deterrent Existence of law should act as sufficient deterrent Punishment should be proportionately greater than enjoyment received by disobeying Punishment should be proportionately greater than enjoyment received by disobeying

Jeremy Bentham Based his view on theory of utilitarianism Based his view on theory of utilitarianism Law should ensure the greatest good for the greatest number of people Law should ensure the greatest good for the greatest number of people Social contract between government and people, each with clear responsibilities Social contract between government and people, each with clear responsibilities Government to make clear what was illegal and what punishment would arise Government to make clear what was illegal and what punishment would arise Citizens to follow laws as created Citizens to follow laws as created

Positivist Criminology Began in late 19th century Began in late 19th century Focused on biological and psychological factors to explain criminal behaviour Focused on biological and psychological factors to explain criminal behaviour Based on the idea that criminals are born, not made Based on the idea that criminals are born, not made nature trumps nurture nature trumps nurture Generally discredited today Generally discredited today

Positivist Criminology Cesare Lombroso Cesare Lombroso Studied cadavers of criminals Studied cadavers of criminals Argued that criminals had distinct physical features Argued that criminals had distinct physical features XYY Theory XYY Theory Chromosomal abnormalities may explain criminal behaviour Chromosomal abnormalities may explain criminal behaviour Debunked when researchers proved idea incorrect Debunked when researchers proved idea incorrect

Sociological Criminology Crime cannot be properly understood without examining the surrounding social, political and economic context Crime cannot be properly understood without examining the surrounding social, political and economic context These theorists focus on external factors as an explanation for criminal behaviour These theorists focus on external factors as an explanation for criminal behaviour the offender’s race, neighbourhood, social circle, income level, education level, job or career, and type of childhood determine why a person became delinquent the offender’s race, neighbourhood, social circle, income level, education level, job or career, and type of childhood determine why a person became delinquent

Sociological Criminology Theory of Anomie Theory of Anomie Anonymity of large urban areas diminishes effect of traditional morals and norms Anonymity of large urban areas diminishes effect of traditional morals and norms Functionality Functionality Criminal behaviour has always existed, in all communities, so it must serve a useful purpose Criminal behaviour has always existed, in all communities, so it must serve a useful purpose Criminality is a sign of non-conformity, and this can be beneficial Criminality is a sign of non-conformity, and this can be beneficial

Sociological Criminology Ecological School Ecological School AKA the “Chicago school” AKA the “Chicago school” High rates of poverty and social disintegration are likely to lead to higher crime rates High rates of poverty and social disintegration are likely to lead to higher crime rates Social Conflict Theories Social Conflict Theories Arose from ideas of Marx and Engels Arose from ideas of Marx and Engels Capitalism essentially encourages crime Capitalism essentially encourages crime Justice system protects powerful elite, decides actions of lower classes are criminal Justice system protects powerful elite, decides actions of lower classes are criminal

Sociological Criminology Consensus Theory Consensus Theory There is a universal definition of right and wrong There is a universal definition of right and wrong Criminal laws prohibit what the majority finds wrong Criminal laws prohibit what the majority finds wrong

Case Study: The American Dream and Deviance Emile Durkheim (The Division of Labor in Society, 1893) Emile Durkheim (The Division of Labor in Society, 1893) Anomie is a breakdown of social norms and a condition where norms no longer control the activities of members in society Anomie is a breakdown of social norms and a condition where norms no longer control the activities of members in society

Case Study: The American Dream and Deviance Robert Messner (Social Structure and Anomie, 1938) Robert Messner (Social Structure and Anomie, 1938) Argued that it was the rigid adherence to conventional American values that caused high rates of crime and deviance Argued that it was the rigid adherence to conventional American values that caused high rates of crime and deviance Believed that the American obsession with economic success produced high levels of serious crime Believed that the American obsession with economic success produced high levels of serious crime

Case Study: The American Dream and Deviance All members of American society ascribe to the “American dream” that if one were simply willing to work hard enough, one would inevitably reap the economic rewards of such labours All members of American society ascribe to the “American dream” that if one were simply willing to work hard enough, one would inevitably reap the economic rewards of such labours The problem is that despite the widespread belief in the possibility of upward social mobility, the American social structure limits individuals’ access to the goal of economic success through legitimate means The problem is that despite the widespread belief in the possibility of upward social mobility, the American social structure limits individuals’ access to the goal of economic success through legitimate means Ex: while the probability of attaining economic success would be enhanced by getting a college education, not all members of American society are able to do so Ex: while the probability of attaining economic success would be enhanced by getting a college education, not all members of American society are able to do so

Case Study: The American Dream and Deviance This disjunction between culturally ascribed goals (i.e., economic success) and the availability of legitimate means to attain such goals (i.e., social structural limits) in turn puts pressure on the cultural norms that guide what means should be used to achieve the culturally prescribed goal This disjunction between culturally ascribed goals (i.e., economic success) and the availability of legitimate means to attain such goals (i.e., social structural limits) in turn puts pressure on the cultural norms that guide what means should be used to achieve the culturally prescribed goal The result, Merton states, is that “the sole significant question becomes: Which of the available procedures is most efficient in netting the culturally approved value?” The result, Merton states, is that “the sole significant question becomes: Which of the available procedures is most efficient in netting the culturally approved value?”

Case Study: The American Dream and Deviance Key precepts of Social Conflict theory: Key precepts of Social Conflict theory: The capitalist system inherently fosters deviance (emphasis on competition, persisting inequality, and economic prosperity as to priority) The capitalist system inherently fosters deviance (emphasis on competition, persisting inequality, and economic prosperity as to priority) The justice system as a tool of oppression (purpose is to maintain social stratification and serve the interests of those in power) The justice system as a tool of oppression (purpose is to maintain social stratification and serve the interests of those in power)

Case Study: The American Dream and Deviance Social conflict is defined by socially unequal groups, such as the rich and the poor, competing for money and material goods Social conflict is defined by socially unequal groups, such as the rich and the poor, competing for money and material goods The fundamental cause of crime is oppression, resulting from social and economic forces operating within society The fundamental cause of crime is oppression, resulting from social and economic forces operating within society

Case Study: The American Dream and Deviance How does anomie theory and social conflict theory explain the United States high rates of deviance? How does anomie theory and social conflict theory explain the United States high rates of deviance? Deviant behaviour in upper strata (Bernie Madoff, Enron, etc.) Deviant behaviour in upper strata (Bernie Madoff, Enron, etc.) Deviant behaviour in lower strata (crime rates in the ghetto, glorification of criminal lifestyle in hip hop) Deviant behaviour in lower strata (crime rates in the ghetto, glorification of criminal lifestyle in hip hop) Is it paradoxical that the “land of opportunity” has the highest rate of incarceration in the world? Is it paradoxical that the “land of opportunity” has the highest rate of incarceration in the world? Americans represent about 5% percent of the world's population, but nearly 25% of the world’s prisoners Americans represent about 5% percent of the world's population, but nearly 25% of the world’s prisoners

Case Study: The American Dream and Deviance Read article “U.S. prison population dwarfs that of other nations” Read article “U.S. prison population dwarfs that of other nations” Apply anomie and social conflict theory to explain what the United States has the highest rate of incarceration in the world Apply anomie and social conflict theory to explain what the United States has the highest rate of incarceration in the world