Questions for Discussion

Table of Contents:

1 Does the classical theory of criminology still have relevance today?

If so, why? If not, why not?

2 What criminological theories make the most sense to you?

Important Terms

Classical theory: Basic theory of criminology which believes that people have free will and make rational decisions about committing crime.

Criminal personality: This theory suggests that criminal offenders perceive the world in a way that leads them to criminal behavior.

Criminological theory: Theory that attempts to explain why people commit crimes.

Intelligence: Data or information gathered related to criminal activities or problems.

Modus operand!: Criminal offenders method of operation, style, or patterns.

Positivists: The early positivists, such as Cesare Lombroso, considered biological attributes to be the real roots of crime.

Psychoanalysis: Set of psychological and psychotherapeutic theories which believe that an individual’s behavior is in part determined by early childhood experiences.

Routine activities theory: Theory of crime causation which explains that crime is dependent on the situation and circumstances.

Study Guide Questions

For questions 1—5, indicate whether the statement is true or false.

1 Cesare Beccaria is known as the founder of classical criminology.
2 The early positivists, such as Cesare Lombroso, who lived from 1836 to 1909, considered biological attributes to be the real roots of crime.
3 In general, all psychological explanations look inside the human mind for the causes of criminal offending.
4 More recently, psychologists have linked criminal behavior to a psychological condition called disruptive behavior disorder.
5 Sociological explanations of crime look at criminal behaviors as emanating from environmental influences.
6 There has been growing research in recent years to show that there is a link between

a Mental illness and criminal behavior

b Poor hygiene and criminal behavior

c Lack of motivation and criminal offending

d Sloth and criminal behavior

7 Edwin Sutherland suggested that delinquent behavior is a Inborn and not learned later in life

b Learned in much the same way that people learn other things

c All about exposure to the media

d Related to inadequate parenting

8 Travis Hirschi’s control theory emphasizes

a Learning and reinforcement

b That parents are the reason for all delinquency and crime

c Social bonds

d Children’s relationships to friends

9 In the theory proposed by Ronald Clarke and Derek Cornish, delinquents and adult criminal offenders are

a Impulsive people who don’t think

b Irrational individuals who never make conscious decisions

c People who never evaluate information

d Rational people who make calculated choices about what they are going to do

10 The standard model of law enforcement is a

a Reactive form of policing

b Form of policing that emphasizes fixing broken windows

c Style of policing related to the SARA approach

d Proactive form of policing

References

Beccaria, C. (1963). On Crimes and Punishments (trans. H. Paolucci). Englewood Cliffs, NJ: The Library of Liberal Arts (originally published in 1764).

Bureau of Justice Assistance. (1994). Understanding Community Policing: A Framework for Action. Washington, DC: Bureau ofjustice Response Center.

Cole, G.E, and Smith, C.E. (2007). Criminal Justice in America. 5th ed. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.

Fagin, J.A. (2007). Criminal Justice: A Brief Introduction. 2nd ed. Boston, MA: Allyn and Bacon.

Goldstein, H. (2001, December 7). Problem-oriented policing in a nutshell. Presented at the 2001 International Problem-Oriented Policing Conference, San Diego.

Guidetti, R., and Martinelli,T. (2009). Intelligence led policing: A strategic framework. Police Chief Magazine, 76(10): 132 [no longer available online].

Hirschi, T. (2004). A control theory of delinquency. In J.E. Jacoby (ed.), Classics of Criminology. 3rd ed. Long Grove, IL: Waveland Press (originally published in 1969).

Karmen, A. (2001). Crime Victims: An Introduction to Victimology. 4th ed. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.

Lilly, J. R., Cullen, F.T., and Ball, R.A. (2015). Criminological Theory: Context and Consequences. 6th ed. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

Lombroso-Ferrero, G. (2004). Criminal man. In J.E. Jacoby (ed.), Classics of Criminology.

3rd ed. Long Grove, IL: Waveland Press (originally published in 1911).

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Skrapec.C.A. (2013). CJ: Realities and Challenges. 2nd ed. New York: McGraw-Hill.

National Research Council. (2004). Effectiveness of police activity in reducing crime, disorder and fear. In W. Skogan and K. Frydl (eds.), Fairness and Effectiveness in Policing: The Evidence. Washington, DC: National Academies Press, pp. 217-251.

Reid, S.T (2009). Crime and Criminology. 12th ed. New York: Oxford University Press.

Samenow, S.E. (1984). Inside the Criminal Mind. New York: Times Books.

Schlesinger, L. (2009). Psychological profiling: Investigative implications from crime scene analysis. Journal of Psychiatry & Law, 37(1): 73—84.

Siegel, LJ. (2006). Criminology. 9th ed. Belmont, CA: Thomson Wadsworth.

Siegel, L.J., and Welsh, B.C. (2009).Juvenile Delinquency: Theory, Practice, and Law. 10th ed. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.

Sutherland, E.H. (1947). Principles of Criminology. New York: Lippincott.

Weisburd,D,and Eck.J.E. (2004).What can the police do to reduce crime, disorder, and fear? Annals of the American Academy of Social and Political Sciences, 593: 42—65.

Weisburd, D.,Telep, C.W, Hinkle,J.C., and Eck.J.E. (2010). Is problem-oriented policing effective in reducing crime and disorder? Criminology & Public Policy, 9(1): 139-172.

Wilson,J.Q.,and Kelling, G. (1982, March). Broken windows: The police and neighborhood safety. Atlantic Monthly: 29—38. Retrieved from: www.theatlantic.com/ magazine/archive/1982/03/broken-windows/304465/