Taylor2 ppt ch4

Chapter 4

Choice, Deterrence,

Biological, and Psychological

Theories

Chapter Outline

I. Theories of Juvenile DelinquencyA. Classical and Positive Schools of

ThoughtB. Classical SchoolC. Positive School

II. Choice TheoryA. Routine Activities

III. Deterrence Theory

Copyright © 2007 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Chapter Outline Continued

IV. Biological TheoriesA. Morphological Approach

1. Lombroso’s Atavism Theory2. Sheldon’s Somatotype Theory

B. Genetics and Inherited Factors1. Twin Studies 2. Adoption Studies

C. Biochemical and Neurological Approach1. Biochemical Factors2. Learning Disabilities


Chapter Outline Continued

V. Psychological TheoriesA. Psychoanalytic ApproachB. Moral Development and DelinquencyC. Personality Disorders

1. Antisocial Personality Disorder

VI. Learning TheoriesA. Classical ConditioningB. Modeling


Classical School of Criminology

Theory – a formalized idea or set of principles that attempt to define and explain a phenomenon.

Cesare Beccaria, 1738-1794 – Father of the Classical School.

Free will The ability to make a

choice among various alternatives.


Classical School of Criminology Continued

Hedonistic calculus (pleasure pain principle) – people attempt to maximize pleasure and minimize pain.

Deterrence Focuses on the offense committed, rather than

on the offender. The challenge of law and society is to make the

punishment fit the crime. Punishment

Swift Certain Severe


Positive School of Criminology

Cesare Lombroso – Father of the Positive School of Criminology.

Emergence of the scientific method as a means to study phenomena.

Focuses on rehabilitation rather than on punishment.

Determinism Emphasis on the offender, not the

offense.


Choice Theory Basically, individuals commit crime

because they make a rational choice to do so by weighing the risks and benefits.

Rise of Choice Theory: Criminologists questioned the

belief on which the Positive School was based.

Crime rate in the sixties and seventies increased significantly.

The practice of rehabilitation came under attack.


Routine Activities Theory

Crime occurs when there is a convergence in time and space of three factors:

1. A motivated offender2. A suitable target3. The absence of a

capable guardian


Deterrence Theory

Juveniles commit crime because they make a choice to do so and this choice is based on the perceived risks and benefits of committing the delinquent act.

General deterrence – seeks to discourage would-be delinquents from committing delinquent acts because of the threat of punishment.

Specific deterrence – a sanction imposed on adjudicated delinquents in order to prevent them from continuing to commit delinquent acts in the future.


Assumptions of Deterrence

1. Individuals are rational actors2. Juveniles are aware of the penalty

for crimes3. Juveniles view the risk as

unpleasant4. For deterrence to be effective, the

sanction must be swift, certain, and severe.


Failure of Deterrence

Juveniles are not rational actors. Juveniles do not perceive the risk of

apprehension and punishment to be high.


Cesare Lombroso

Atavism – reversion to a primitive type, the brains of criminals were biological throwbacks to primitive man, making criminals both more aggressive and savage.


Atavistic Anomalies Skulls that were noticeable larger or

smaller than others Large protruding jaw Canine teeth High foreheads Flattened noses Deep, close-set eyes Especially large or small ears Very long arms or legs Asymmetrical face


William Sheldon’sSomatotype Theory

Endomorph – body structure that is soft, round, and fat.

Mesomorph – body structure that is firm, muscular, and strong.

Ectomorph – body structure that is thin and frail.


Karl O. Christiansen

Monozygotic/Identical Twins – twins that develop from one egg and one sperm.

Dizygotic/Fraternal Twins – twins that develop from two eggs and two sperm.

Concordance Rate – the similarity of delinquent behavior.

The concordance rate for identical twins was 35% and for fraternal twins was 12%.


Adoption Studies When the biological and adoptive parents had no

criminal record, 13.5% of the adopted children had a criminal record.

When the biological parents had a criminal record, but the adoptive parents did not, 20% of the adopted children had a criminal record.

When the biological parents did not have a criminal record but the adoptive parents did, about 15% of the adopted children had a criminal record.

When both biological and adoptive parents had a criminal record, almost 25% of the adopted children had a criminal record.


Sigmund Freud Id – the part of one’s personality that is

comprised of unconscious biological and psychological desires and instincts.

Ego – the part of one’s personality that represents the identity of the individual and actual behavior.

Superego – the part of one’s personality that represents the conscience and moral character of the individual.

Crime may be the result of the conflict between the id and the superego.


Defense Mechanisms to Conflict

Repression Denial Displacement Regression Reaction Formation Rationalization


Six Stages of Moral DevelopmentLawrence Kohlberg

Punishment and Obedience Orientation

Hedonistic Orientation Interpersonal Concordance Law and Order Orientation Social Contract, Legalistic Orientation Orientation to Universal Ethical

Principles


Characteristics of Antisocial Personality

Repeatedly performing acts that are grounds for arrest

Deceitfulness Impulsivity Irritability and aggressiveness Reckless disregard for safety of self or

others Consistent irresponsibility Lack of remorse


Learning Theories Classical Conditioning – a learning theory

that states people learn by associating stimuli with certain responses.

Modeling – a learning theory that states people learn by imitating the behavior of others.

Operant Conditioning–a learning theory thatstates people learn based on the con-sequences of their behavior.


Health & Medicine

Taylor2 ppt ch4