1. Chapter 7 Crime and Deviance

2. Chapter Outline  Ordinary Crime  The Criminal Act  Biological Theories of Deviance  Mental Illness  Personality Theories  Elements of Self-Control  Deviant Attachment Theories

3. Chapter Outline  Structural Strain Theories  White-Collar Crime  Control Theories  Anomie and the Integration of Societies  Climate and Season  The Labeling Approach to Deviance  Drugs and Crime

4. Criminal Acts The majority of criminal acts:  Lack planning  Are performed incompetently  Result in trivial gains

5. Robbery  In 2000 there were 407,842 robberies reported in the U.S. for a rate of 144.9 per 100,000.  Recent data shows that the average robbery of a service station produced only $546.  91% of those arrested for robbery were males under the age of 25.

6. Burglary  In 2000 there were slightly more than 2 million burglaries reported, a rate of 728.4 per 100,000.  Average loss of residential burglaries was $1,299.  About half of all burglaries are reported to the police.

7. Homicide  In 2000, 15,517 Americans were murdered for a rate of 5.5 per 100,000, the lowest in more than thirty years.  In 1965, most victims knew their killer and 91% of homicides were closed by arrest.  During the 1990s the average victim was killed by a stranger.  In 2000 only 63.1% of homicides resulted in an arrest.

8. Lombroso’s Theory: “Born Criminals”  In the 1870’s, Cesare Lombroso gathered data on inmates to develop a biological theory of criminal behavior.  Lombroso considered born criminals as less evolved humans, biological “throwbacks” to our primitive ancestors.  He believed that born criminals could not restrain their violent and animalistic urges.

9. Behavioral Genetics  Study of the role of heredity in human behavior.  A study in Denmark examined 3,586 twin pairs. –Identical twins - if one twin had a serious criminal record, odds were 50-50, the other twin did, too. –Fraternal twins - if one twin was a criminal, the odds were only 1 in 5 that the other twin also was a criminal.

10. % Female Among Those Arrested for Various Offenses (U.S.) OffensePercent female Robbery10.0 Homicide12.5 Burglary12.5 Motor vehicle theft15.7 Aggravated assault19.6 Larceny-theft34.7 Forgery38.9 Fraud45.8 Embezzlement48.8 Runaways58.2

11. Arrests Per 100,000 Male Population (U.S.) AgeHomicideRobberyLarceny-theft 16–19474082,532 20–24392991,441 25–29242041,075 30–3417129903 35–391374712 40–441036471 45–49719306 50–5459209 55–5945145 60–6432109 65 and over1163

12. Gottfredson and Hirschi: Elements Of Self-control  Low self-control involves the unwillingness or inability to defer gratification.  People with low self-control prefer actions that are simple and easy.  People who commit criminal acts are thrill seekers, also consistent with weak self control.  People with a lack of self-control tend to be self-centered, indifferent, or insensitive to the suffering and needs of others.

13. Differential Association Theory: Social Learning  All behavior is the result of socialization through interaction.  How we act depends on how those around us want us to act.  How much we deviate from or conform to the norms depends on differences in whom we associate with.

14. Merton: Structural Strain Theory  People are socialized to have certain goals and to regard certain means as proper ways to achieve these goals.  People who are disadvantaged will not be able to achieve their goals at all, or as easily as people better placed in the system.

15. Merton: Structural Strain Theory  If disadvantaged people stick to the rules they will not achieve the things socialization has taught them to value.  The resulting strain forces people to use deviant or illegitimate means to achieve goals.

16. Weaknesses of Structural Strain Theory 1. The majority of disadvantaged people do not commit acts of significant deviance. 2. Most of the deviant behavior committed by persons under structural strain cannot alleviate their frustrations. 3. No explanation for deviant acts committed by people in privileged social positions.

17. White-collar Crime  Crimes committed by someone with responsibility and high social status in the course of their occupation.  Example: A person in a position of power or authority who accepts bribes to perform his or her duties.

18. Control Theories  Replaces the question: Why do they do it? with Why don’t they do it?  Control theorists take deviance for granted and focus on explaining why people conform.  When social bonds between an individual and the group are strong, the individual conforms, when they are weak, the individual deviates.

19. Types of Social Bonds  Attachments - How much one cares about others and is cared about in return.  Investments - Costs expended in constructing a satisfactory life and the expected rewards.

20. Types of Social Bonds  Involvements - The more time one spends on activities that conform to the norms, the less time one has to devote to deviant activities.  Beliefs -We develop beliefs about how people, including ourselves, should behave.

21. Durkheim’s Moral Communities Two components:  Social integration - The number and intimacy of attachments enjoyed by the average person.  Moral integration. – Shared beliefs that provide members of a community with a common moral conception.

22. Labeling Theory  Most deviance results from some persons having been labeled as deviants.  Primary deviance is the behavior a person engages in that causes others to label him or her as deviant.  Secondary deviance is behavior that is a reaction to having been labeled a deviant.

23. Liska: Three Ways Labels Cause People to Deviate 1. A deviant label, such as burglar, alcoholic, or prostitute, limits legitimate economic and occupational opportunities. 2. A deviant label limits a person’s interpersonal relations. 3. Being labeled a deviant can affect self concept. (If others see us as deviants, we may come to accept their judgments.)

24. Percent of Arrestees Who Tested Positively for Drugs Percent Positive CityFemalesMales Manhattan8469 San Diego74 Washington, D.C.7059 Los Angeles7060 Fort Lauderdale6360 Houston5862 Birmingham5461 New Orleans4462 St. Louis3857