Criminology/Module 4

Introduction to Criminological Theory

Three Paradigms

• Perspective - Assumption on how the world works
• Theory - Statement about how a certain glob of facts are related and is able to be tested in the real world.

The three paradigms that criminology has are as follows:

1. Symbolic interactionism (small-scale) - origin of labeling theory. Reality is created through daily interactions with people.
2. Structural functionalism (macro-level) - origin of social disorganization theory. Reality exists, and institutions hold this reality in place.
3. Social conflict (macro-level) - origin of most feminist theories. People in power use reality to control the poor.

How does reality work? These paradigms are here to cover that hole.

Cesare Beccaria

Beccaria believed that people do things just to benefit themselves. People meticulously calculate which actions reap the most benefits with the least amount of consequences, using their free will.

How do we deter crime?

1. Severity = painfulness of getting exposed.
2. Certainty = likelihood of getting caught.
3. Celerity = how fast the punishment falls on the criminal.

Maximize certainty and celerity, not severity. Avoid inhumane cruelty, but do criminals think like this as well?

Deterrence [from a crime] can be split into two ways:

1. Specific deterrence: Offender hates punishment... he doesn't want to do it! Reduces recidivism.

2. General deterrence: Punishing offenders reduces crime rates.

Jeremy Bentham is worth mentioning, as he developed propositions for reform based off his work, An Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation. He developed the principle of utility (humans are rational beings: avoid pain, maximize pleasure).

Positivism

Positivism - Early 19th century classical thought where free will/rational choice is rejected. You can't define a soul objectively, so we don't have free will. We can explain crime in causal, not volitional terms.

Behavior is done by factors outside of our control.

Rational Choice Theory

Pioneered by Derek Cornish and Ronald Clarke, the rational choice theory states that offenders are rational and make an informed decision to commit crime. They have to first find an easy target, then re-assess their decision to commit crime - aka, they are a calculated, rational actor. The choices are selfish and serve to maximize pleasure and reduce displeasure (punishment).

Routine Activities Theory (RAT)

RAT --> extension of the rational choice theory, as above, but this is applied to broad changes done in multiple socieites/large populations. Rational choice is on an individualistic level, while RAT (by Lawrence Cohen and Marcus Felson) is on a macro-level. Originated in the late 1970s, where crime was increasing, but poverty was decreasing.

Three points need to occur for a crime to take place, according to Cohen and Felson's analysis:

1. Motivated offenders
2. Good targets
3. No authority figures

Structural changes, such as making light things extremely expensive or an interested audience into something specific, lead to crime (according to RAT perspective).

Felson & Hirschi's theory of social bond - An individual attached to his society will not commit a crime. Based on the 4:

1. Attachment (who is this person connected to?)
2. Commitment (personal investment in coventional activities)
3. Involvement (how much time is this person invested in these activites?)
4. Belief (does this person believe that the law is applicable and beneficial for society?)

Greater the social bonds, the less likely a criminal will behave in a manner that goes against societal regulations.

Crime Pattern Theory (CPT)

View from rational choice & RAT theory + ecological factors = crime pattern theory.

An offender is influenced by the physical movements of other offenders and victims. Since we are assessing the timing of the environment, environmental criminology is a noticeable element of CPT.

Here are some important EC vocabulary you should know:

• Action space: The place of travel for the individual.
• Awareness space: Not as strong knowledge as action space, but knows the surroundings.
• Nodes: Places of work/shopping/entertainment the person travels to and from.
• Paths: Means of someone traveling to and from a node.
• Cognitive map: Mental image of an environment, including the nodes and paths connecting them.
• Edges: Separating lands into certain categories (high vs. low crime areas).

Best time for crime? Targets get in the way of an offender's awareness space.

Distance Decay Function - Further away an offender moves from a comfort zone, less likely the target will become a victim. Depends on the crime, though. Expressive crimes, such as rape, are impulsive and are closer to home - while instrumental crimes, like robbery, are further from home.