1. Crime Theories Personal and integrated approaches November 2013 DISCLAIMER: This slide contains a variety of copyright material. Some of this is the intellectual property of individuals (as named), ans some material is owned by others (clearly indicated) and yet other material is in the public domain. Material which is unambiguously and unarguably in the public domain, may be copied, provided that textual and graphical content are not altered and that the source is acknowledged. The author reserves the right to revoke that permission at any time. Permission is not given for any commercial use or sale of this material. No other material anywhere on this slide may be copied (except as legally allowed for private use and study) or further disseminated without the express and written permission of the legal holder of that copyright. Dr. Geshina Ayu Mat Saat ©

2. Introduction It is necessary to understand crime in order to understand criminal justice. Most policy-making in criminal justice is based on criminological theory. The literature points to the failed policies (what doesn't work) in criminal justice that are due to misinterpretation, partial implementation, or ignorance of criminological theory. At one time, criminological theory was rather pure and abstract, with few practical implications, but that is not the case anymore. For example, almost all criminologists today use a legalistic rather than normative definition of crime. A legalistic definition of crime involves the statutory definitions contained in the penal code, legal statutes or ordinances. USM/GMS2013 2

3. Introduction Human nature Social structure Principles of causation USM/GMS2013 3

4. Crime Theories There are basically thirteen identifiable types of criminological theory. – Only three are considered "mainstream" or conventional criminology (strain, learning, control). The oldest theory (biochemistry) goes back to 1876 and the last four theories (left realism, peacemaking, feminist, postmodern) have only developed in the past twenty-five years. USM/GMS2013 4

5. Personal and integrated theories TheoryCausesPolicy 1. Biochemistry Heredity, vitamin deficiency, allergy, tumour, toxins, brain dysfunction, hormonal imbalance Isolation, treatment 2. Psychology Low intelligence, psychopathy, stress Treatment, counseling 3. Ecology Disorganized neighbourhoods Community empowerment 4. Strain Economic goal blockage Increased opportunities 5. LearningImitation, reinforcement schedules More effective negative reinforcement, More use of positive reinforcement 6. ControlSocialization, low self-control Child-rearing, social bonds USM/GMS2013 5

6. Personal and integrated theories TheoryCausesPolicy 7. Labeling Shunning, identity immersion Nonintervention, reintegration 8. Conflict Power differentials, competition Increased equality 9. Radical Class struggle, capitalism Praxis, socialism 10. Left realism Predatory relationships More effective police protection 11. Peacemaking Inner suffering and turmoil Spiritual rejuvenation 12. Feminist Gender inequity, patriarchy End sex discrimination 13. Postmodern Hierarchical privileges and language More informal social control USM/GMS2013 6