1. Chapter 2 Causes of Crime
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2. Learning Outcomes
LO1: Discuss the difference between a hypothesis and a theory in the context of criminology.
LO2: Contrast the medical model of addiction with the criminal model of addiction.
LO3: Distinguish between the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) and self-reported surveys.
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3. Learning Outcomes
LO4: Describe the three ways that victims’ rights legislation increases the ability of crime victims to participate in the criminal justice system. LO5: Identify the three factors most often used by criminologists to explain changes in the nation’s crime rate.
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4. LO1 Discuss the difference between a hypothesis and a theory in the context of criminology.
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5. Theory Criminology Criminologists
The scientific study of crime and the causes of criminal behavior.
Criminologists
A specialist in the field of crime and the causes of criminal behavior.
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6. Criminologists attempt to discover
Theory
Criminologists attempt to discover
Correlation–the relationship between two measurements or behaviors that tend to move in the same direction.
Causation–a relationship where one variable causes a change in another.
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7. Theory Theory Hypothesis Scientific Method
An explanation of a happening or circumstance that is based on observation, experimentation and reasoning.
Hypothesis
A possible explanation for an observed occurrence that can be tested by further investigation.
Scientific Method
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8. Figure 2.1 The Scientific Method
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9. Rational Choice Theory
Wrongdoers act as if they weigh the possible benefits of criminal or delinquent activity against the expected costs of being incarcerated.
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10. Theory
Trait Theories
Suggest there are biological and psychological causes of crime
Biology is the scientific study of living organisms.
Psychology is the study of the mind.
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11. Theory Biological influences on crime include the study of:
Biochemistry
Hormones
Testosterone
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12. The brain and crime–neurophysiology:
Theory
The brain and crime–neurophysiology:
Serotonin
Norepinephrine
Dopamine
Yakobchuk Vasyl/Shutterstock.com
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13. Theory Sociological Theories of Crime The Chicago School
Showed a correlation between poverty and high crime rate
Neighborhood conditions have much greater effect on criminal behavior than ethnicity, race, or religion.
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14. Sociological Theories of Crime
Theory
Sociological Theories of Crime
Social Disorganization Theory
Strain Theory
Social Conflict Theory
Michael DeMocker/The Times-Picayune/Landov
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15. Social Conflict Theories
Theory
Social Conflict Theories
Marxism versus Capitalism
The social reality of crime
Race and gender
Historical injustices
Stuart Isett/Bloomberg via Getty Images
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16. Figure 2.2 The Stages of Social Disorganization Theory
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17. Theory Social Process Theories Learning Theory Control Theory
Crime is a learned behavior.
Influences include family, friends, co-workers, and media.
Control Theory
Even though most people have the potential to commit crime, we don’t because we care about the opinions of peers and family.
Life Course
Behavioral patterns developed in childhood predict delinquent and criminal behavior later in life.
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18. Social disorganization Control theory Social learning
Drug Use
Social disorganization
Control theory
Social learning
Learn the technique of drug use.
Learn to perceive the pleasurable effects of drug use
Learn to enjoy the social experience of drug use
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19. LO2 Contrast the medical model of addiction with the criminal model of addiction.
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20. Models of Addiction Medical Model Addicts are not criminals.
Mentally or physically individuals forced into acts of petty crime to feed their habit
Enslavement theory of addiction
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21. Models of Addiction Criminal Model
Illegal drug abusers and addicts endanger society.
Behavior should be punished as other offenders.
Bob Combs/Photo Researchers via Getty Images
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22. LO3 Distinguish between the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) and self-reported surveys.
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23. Uniformed Crime Reports (UCR) National Incident-Based Reporting System
Crime Measured
Uniformed Crime Reports (UCR)
Part 1 and 2 offenses
National Incident-Based Reporting System
Victim surveys
Dark figure of crime
Self-report surveys
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24. LO4 Describe the three ways that victims’ rights legislation increases the ability of crime victims to participate in the criminal justice system.
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25. Legal rights of crime victims
Victims Rights
Legal rights of crime victims
Right to be informed
Right to be present
Right to be heard
Restitution
Victim services
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26. Victims Rights Risk of victimization A likely offender
A suitable target
The absence of a capable guardian
AP Photo/Press of Atlantic City, Danny Drake
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27. LO5 Identify the three factors most often used by criminologists to explain changes in the nation’s crime rate.
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28. Crime in US Imprisonment Youth populations Economy
Offender incarcerated is unable to commit crime on the street, potential perpetrator does not want to be in jail
Youth populations
Age out of crime
Economy
Scarce legitimate opportunities
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