CLN4U Mr MacDonald Nature vs Nurture Theories of criminology generally fall into one of two categories Biological Theories Criminal are born Sociological Theories Criminals are made ID: 534001
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Slide1
Criminology Theories
CLN4U – Mr. MacDonaldSlide2
Nature vs Nurture
Theories of criminology generally fall into one of two categories
Biological Theories
Criminal are “born”
Sociological Theories
Criminals are “made”Slide3
Biological Theories
Most criminologists in this area agree that biology alone does not create a criminal
They see it as an interaction between certain inherited traits and the environmentSlide4
Positivism – Born
Positive Theory
(focused on
biological
and
physiological
factors
Criminals are born, not made (Nature not Nurture)
XYY theory (abnormal chromosomes) and physical characteristics (size of jaw and teeth) died out due to moral implicationsSlide5
Biological Trait Theory
Certain traits that are believed to be inherited may predispose criminality
Intelligence
Personality
Genetic makeup
Also looks at environmental factors that affect biology
Diet (see the
“
twinkie
defence
”
)
Influence of hormones, especially androgens
Prenatal exposure to drugs or alcoholSlide6
Neurophysiological Theories
Certain neurological dysfunctions are related to criminal behaviour
If this is true, then proper medications may be able to correct dysfunction, and therefore
criminalitySlide7
Sociological Theories
Place emphasis on environmental factors (upbringing, peers, environment, etc.
)Slide8
Theory of Anomie
Leading Sociologist – Emile
Durkhiem
Urban vs. Rural -
Functionalism – everyone has a role; especially criminals that make it function
Diffusion of Responsibility – “someone else will take care of it”Slide9
Ecological School
Behavior foster and encouraged in certain environmentsSlide10
Social Conflict Theory
Marxist influence: capitalism creates disparity, which creates crime
Not necessarily always “rich vs poor”, but more accurately “the powerful vs the powerless”
Theories that examine oppression based on gender, race, etc. and its effect on crime are also Social Conflict theoriesSlide11
Social Psychological Perspective
Social psychology is the study of the relations between
individuals
and
people.
They are interested in how ‘regular’ people can commit atrocious crimes.
Stanley
Milgram
was specifically interested in how Nazi’s were able to commit horrible acts of genocide – he focused on how people could do this just by following orders.Slide12
Psychoanalytical Theory
Sigmund Freud believed that all humans have criminal tendencies.
It is through socialization that these tendencies are controlled during childhood.
If a child has an identity problem with his/her parent, this problem may cause the child to direct its antisocial tendencies outward and thus become a criminal.Slide13
Socialization Theory
Upbringing, peer groups, role models influence criminal behaviour
A deviant’s sense of what is normal
behaviour
is
skewed
Ex. Paul Bernardo and Karla
HolmokaSlide14
Strain Theory
People commit crimes when they see no legitimate way to achieve their goals
Explains why there is more crime among the economically disadvantaged