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How are sociological theories of crime different from psychological theories?
Wiki User
∙ 15y ago
sociological theories are to do with people as a whole where as psychological are to do with the individual
Wiki User
∙ 15y ago
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What are the strengths and weaknesses in psychological theories of crime?
This would depend on which theory you are going off of. Each of the theories have merits and demerits to why they would be the best.
Do biological or psychological traits predispose people to commit crime?
psychological traits, if the person has psychological challenges, or needs psychological help, may predispose people to commit crimes
What is legal and ethical issues in abnormal psychology?
The right to refuse medical treatment/medications. If a person with a psychological disorder refuses treatment/medications, is it their fault for commiting a crime or the doctors?
What psychological factors explain delinquent acts?
It really depends which theory of crime you are coming from.I created some notes as part of a forensic psychology unit in my psychology degree. (as summarised from Wrightsman et al, 2002 "Chapter five: Theories of crime", in Psychology and the legal System 5th ed. Wadsworth.)Hope you find it useful.THEORIES of CRIME as EXPLANATIONS of CRIMINAL BEHAVIOURSociological theories of crime:environmentalism1. Structural explanationsie dysfunctional social arrangements thwart people from legitimate attainments and result in them offending1. Theory of differential opportunity, Cloward & Ohlin 1960 - anomie; frustration-aggression2. Reaction formation,Cohen 1955 - negativistic crime; malicious crime3. Rational crime, Nettler 1974 - 'golden opportunity':easy targets, just part of business, preferred livelihood, crime to distribute2. Subcultural explanationsie crime is the product of subcultural deviation from the agreed-on norms that underlie the criminal law1. Theory of focal concerns, Miller 1958 - adherence to 6 lower class traditions/valuesBiological theories of crime:individualismwith acknowledged socio-enviro contributions1. Constitutional theories1. Somatic typology, Sheldon 1942 - mesomorphs : more aggressive, vigorous, bold, lack control2. Mesomorphy + unpredictable/harsh parenting- Olweus 19952. Genetic theoriesfive possible inherited factors increasing predisposition to criminal behaviour:1. constitutional abnormalities2. neuropsychological abnormalities - abnormal EEG; RH limbic system; PFCx (exec control, VIQ)3. autonomic nervous system differences - ↓ANS arousal4. physiological differences - ↑testosterone,↑insulin, ↓serotonin5. personality & temperament - undercontrol, unfriendliness, irritability, low empathy, easy frustrationPsychological theories of crime:individualism1. Psychoanalytic theories of crime1. Weak ego & superego, strong id, Freud -guilt due to unresolved Oedipal crisis2. Inability to delay gratification, Alexander 1935behaviour not aligned with reality principle to delay gratification, family & social forces contribute3. Attachment Theory, Bowlby 1949ie disruptions to maternal attachment or parental rejection leads to delinquency & repetitive crime2. Criminal thinking patterns, Yochelsonn & Samenow 1976criminals have fundamentally non-normative thinking patternsreject sociological, environmental, & psychoanalytic explanations3. Personality defect (psychopathy)ie 'criminal type':certain traits distinguish delinquents from non-offenders, caused by:1. Cortical Immaturity, Hare 19842. Immunity to social cues governing behaviour, Eysenck 1964slower CC learning due to faulty acquisition and rapid extinction of fear & avoidance responses3. Family Dysfunction, Buss 1966cold distant detached parent + inconsistent rewards/punishmentSocial-psychological theories of crime:environmental individualism1. Control theories ie people behave antisocially unless they learn not to (inner controls & external constraints)1. Social Control Model, Hirschi 1969, 19782. Containment Theory, Reckless, 19673. ENP theory, Eysenck, 1964 (related to Containment theory)↑E & N traits → poor CC → inadequate socialisation → faulty conscience → ↑risk of criminality2. Learning theories ie individuals directly acquire specific criminal behav thru different forms of learning1. Differential association approach, Sutherland, 1947socialisation into group conductive of crime3. The social-learning perspective1. Social Learning Theory, Bandura 1986differential reinforcement + cognitive factors + vicarious learning (via modelling)2. Constitutional-learning Theory, Wilson & Herrnsteinindividual differences influence gain-loss ratio, similar to Rational Choice theory
How do people feel when they commit crimes?
A lot of factors determine how someone feels when they commit a crime: the psychological make up of the person, the type of crime, why the crime was committed, etc. If a person steals food because his family is hungry and there is no money to buy food, the person might feel justified in doing it. If a person kills another person, they may feel deeply sorry and regretful. If the person has severe mental issues, the person may not feel anything if he or she kills a person. A person who is deeply psychologically troubled might even feel satisfaction from killing someone or committing a crime. It just depends on the individual and other factors how someone feels when a person commits a crime.
Of the sociological theories used to explain why crime happens which theory focuses on the absence or weakness of rule?
answer is Anomie answer by Michael mccoy
What are the strengths and weaknesses in psychological theories of crime?
This would depend on which theory you are going off of. Each of the theories have merits and demerits to why they would be the best.
Which statement is true about the concept of crime?
It can be a focus of sociological studies - Apex Learning
What are problems with psychological or psychoanalytic theories of crime and their policy implications?
1.they are not really sure if it is intelligence or biological theory that effects crime. freud thinks the level of disturbance isnt what causes crime because alot of people are disturbed but not all commit crimes
What are empirical and speculative theories in organized crime?
There are different theories of organized crime. The first one is the queer ladder of mobility theory that states that organized crime was a means to accumulating power and money. There is also the social control theory that says that family, community and social bond will either encourage or prevent entry into a life of crime for an individual. It continues to state that fear of embarrassment, punishment and psychological restraints will restrain people from engaging in organized crime. Organized crime has organizing principles and a definite structure to retain control and grow.
What has the author Horst Entorf written?
Horst Entorf has written: 'Mismatch explanations of European unemployment' -- subject(s): Labor market, Unemployment 'Crime in Europe' -- subject(s): Crime, Criminology, Deviant behavior, Sociological aspects, Sociological aspects of Crime
What is a sociological problem?
A sociological problem is a condition which is viewed as a vice by a group of people in society. Some of them include crime, murder, alcoholism and so much more.
What is crime in its legal and sociological definition?
In legal terms, crime refers to an act that violates laws or statutes that may result in legal punishment. In sociological terms, crime is seen as behavior that is considered deviant by society and may harm individuals or the community.
Crime control implications of social conflict theories?
crime and society at ecc??
What is the theories for overemphasize the notion the spatial location determines crime and delinquency?
Ecological theories
What has the author Sandra Walklate written?
Sandra Walklate has written: 'Gender, crime, and criminal justice' -- subject(s): Crime, Criminal behavior, Feminist theory, Sex differences, Sex discrimination in criminal justice administration, Victims of crimes 'Victimology' -- subject(s): Victims of crimes 'Gender and crime' -- subject(s): Women, Feminist criminology, Sex discrimination in criminal justice administration, Crime, Sex differences, Crimes against, Criminology 'Criminology' -- subject(s): Criminology 'Zero tolerance or community tolerance?' -- subject(s): Case studies, Citizen participation, Crime, Crime prevention, Inner cities, Regional disparities, Sociological aspects, Sociological aspects of Crime 'Understanding criminology' -- subject(s): Crime, Criminal anthropology, Criminology, Sociological aspects, Sociological aspects of Crime
The psychological perspective sees crime primarily as?
Psychological perspective sees crime primarily as problem of behavior. This is also regarded as a type of social maladjustment in the society.
