What are the causes of crime? HNA Lesson 11 What are the causes of crime?

HNA Lesson 11 Classical School of Criminology has five main features: Criminal behavior is rational, and most people have the potential to engage in such behavior. People may choose to commit a crime after weighing the costs and benefits of their actions. Fear of punishment is what keeps most people in check. Therefore, the severity, certainty, and speed of punishment affects the level of crime. The punishment should fit the crime rather than the person who committed it. The criminal justice system must be predictable, with laws and punishments known to the public.

The Positivist School of Criminology has three key features: HNA Lesson 11 The Positivist School of Criminology has three key features: Human behavior is controlled by physical, mental, and social factors, not by free will. Criminals are different from non-criminals. Science can be used to discover the causes of crime and to treat criminal deviants.

Biological Explanations of Crime HNA Lesson 11 Biological Explanations of Crime Certain people are Criminogenic or born criminals. Criminals have primitive physical traits such as strong canine teeth, huge jaws, and high cheekbones. These traits may be acquired through heredity, alcoholism, epilepsy, or syphilis.

Psychological Explanations of Crime HNA Lesson 11 Psychological Explanations of Crime The terms psychopath, sociopath, and antisocial personality refer to a person who is unable to control impulses, cannot learn from experience, and does not feel emotions.

Social Structure Theories HNA Lesson 11 Social Structure Theories The belief that criminal behavior is related to social class. The lower class have less education, higher poverty, bad housing, and lack of political power. This makes them more prone to criminal behavior. As the lower class has less and less opportunities; Anomie sets in. Anomie is the breakdown or disappearance of the rules of social behavior. When people cannot achieve success they tend to become anti-social or deviant. Criminals are MADE, NOT BORN

HNA Lesson 11 Social Process Theory To explain crime by middle and upper class society; the Social Process theory states criminality is a normal behavior. Learning Theories- Criminal behavior is learned just as legal behavior is learned. Theory of Differential Association- The theory that people become criminals because they encounter more influences that view criminal behavior as normal and acceptable.

HNA Lesson 11 Control Theories- Theories holding that criminal behavior occurs when the bonds that tie an individual to society are broken or weakened. Labeling Theories- Emphasizing that the causes of criminal behavior are not found in the individual but in the social process that labels certain people and certain acts as deviant or criminal.

Social Conflict Theories HNA Lesson 11 Social Conflict Theories Assumes that criminal law and the justice system is designed to control the poor in society. The rich commit just as many crimes as the poor, however the poor are more likely to be caught and punished.

HNA Lesson 11 Women and Crime Females account for 10% of all arrests in this country compared to 90% for Males. Many Criminologists have often assumed that women have a more nurturing nature and are incapable of committing violent crimes and those who did were considered “bad” or “fallen” women. As females have gained more rights and more access to society; violent crime committed by females has risen and that trend is expected to continue.

HNA Lesson 11 Conclusion The causes of crime in American society are varied. It is very difficult to get Criminologists to agree as to the causes of crime. The Classical and Positivist Theories are the leading theories. Biological, Psychological, and Sociological theories also give reasons for criminal behavior. However; what is the true cause of crime?...