1. Chapter 2:
Causes of Crime

2. Exploring the Causes of Crime
Criminology:
The scientific study of
crime and the causes of
criminal behavior.
Criminologist:
A specialist in the field
of crime and the causes
of criminal behavior.

3. Exploring the Causes of Crime
Correlation:
A relationship between two
variables that occurs when
they vary together.
Causation:
One variable is responsible
for the change in the
other variable.
Theory:
A testable method of explaining behavior or circumstances, based on observation, experimentation and reasoning.

4. Exploring the Causes of Crime
Choice Theories
People have free will to choose their behavior.
Criminals find crime more attractive than law abiding behavior.
Threat of punishment is the only deterrent to crime.
Trait Theories
Behavior is the result of biological, psychological, and social forces.
Criminals are driven to crime by external factors.
Rehabilitation and treatment is the only deterrent to crime.

5. Video: Insanity Defense
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6. Exploring the Causes of Crime
Biological Theories:
Biochemical conditions and crime
Hormonal activity and aggression
Brain activity and aggression
Genetics and Crime
Behavioral genes and the “crime gene”
Twin studies

7. Exploring the Causes of Crime
Psychological Theories:
Antisocial Personality Disorder
psychopaths
Other Personality Disorders
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Borderline Personality Disorder
Drug Abuse

8. Exploring the Causes of Crime
Sociological Theories:
Social Structure Theories
Social disorganization occurs when there is a breakdown in traditional social controls.
Some theories contend that individuals are likely to commit crimes when their avenue to success are blocked.
Other theorists claim that high-crime areas will develop their own cultures, which are in constant conflict with the dominant culture.

10. Exploring the Causes of Crime
Social Process Theories
Learning theory sees crime as a learned behavior.
Labeling theory suggests that society creates criminals by labeling certain people as delinquent.
Social Conflict Theories
Crime is a reaction of the powerless against those who make the laws that repress, not protect, them.

11. Exploring the Causes of Crime
Life Course Theories
Childhood behavior of lying, stealing, bullying, and other conduct problems are the strongest predictors of adult criminal behavior.
Criminal behavior is also thought to be related to low self control.
The Continuity Theory of Crime suggests that once negative behavior patterns have been established they cannot be changed.
Others believe that while childhood tendencies are strong predictors of offending, some individuals experience turning points in which they veer off the road to a life of crime.

12. The Experience of Being a Victim
Victimology is the study of the relationship between victims and offenders and the criminal justice system.
Victimology became popular after WWII.
Von Hentig was the first to draw the victim’s role in criminal offending into the spotlight.
In the 1970’s this practice was denounced as “victim blaming.”

13. The Experience of Being a Victim
The risks of victimization:
Anyone can be a victim of crime, however, not everyone is at equal risk of becoming a victim.
Certain demographic groups, particularly young African-American males, are statistically more vulnerable than others.
There is a correlation between alcohol and victimization.
There is a relationship between gender and victimization.

15. The Experience of Being a Victim
Protecting Victims’ Rights:
Historically, victims of crime have been
absent from the criminal justice system.
Today victims’ interests are protected in
three ways:
The Victims’ Rights Movement
State Laws
Federal Laws

16. Criminology from Theory to Practice
Choice Theory:
Deterrence and Punishment
Trait Theories:
Rehabilitation and Treatment
Sociological Theories:
Social Reform

17. Criminology from Theory to Practice
Wolfgang’s Chronic 6 Percent:
A small group of juvenile offenders is responsible for a disproportionate amount of violent crime.
Law enforcement, prosecutors and legislators respond with habitual offender laws and other focused strategies.

18. Criminology from Theory to Practice
Criminology and the Justice System:
Debate continues as to whether or not criminology has done enough for the criminal justice system.
Research must be accessible to practitioners and policy-makers.