STUDY GUIDE CMY3701

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University of South Africa
Muckleneuk, Pretoria

CMY3701/1/2023–2027

10019863

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, CONTENTS

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Part 1: The rational actor model of crime and criminal behaviour 1
Theme 1: The rational actor model 2
Study unit 1.1: The official school: the offender as calculator 4
1.1.1 Introduction5
1.1.2 Assumptions of the classical school of criminology 6
1.1.3 Limitations of the classical school or criminology:
neoclassical school of thought 8
1.1.4 Summary and conclusion 10
1.1.5 Self-assessment10
1.1.6 Answers to self-assessment questions 12
1.1.7 References13
Study unit 1.2: C ontemporary rational choice theories14
1.2.1 Introduction 14
1.2.2 Routine activities theory 15
1.2.2.1 Evaluation of the routine activities theory 18
1.2.2.2 Concose summation of the routine activities theory 18
1.2.3 Classification of data and sampling methods 19
1.2.3.1 Propositions of the rational choice perspective theory 19
1.2.3.2 Bounded rationality of the rational choice perspective theory 20
1.2.3.3 The choice process of the rational choice perspective theory 20
1.2.3.4 Evaluation of the rational choice perspective theory 21
1.2.4 Summary and conclusion 22
1.2.5 Self-assessment 23
1.2.6 Answers to self-assessment questions 24
References  25
Theme 2: The positivist school: the offender as predestined actor26
Study unit 2.1: Th
 e positivist school: the offender as predistined actor27
2.1.1 Introduction 28
2.1.2 Definitions of key concepts 28
2.1.3 The positivist school of thought 29
2.1.4 Assumptions of the positivist school of thought 30
2.1.5 Evaluation of the positivist school 32
2.1.6 Conclusion 33
2.1.7 Self-assessment questions 33
2.1.8 Selfassessment answers 34
2.1.9 Paragraph question answers 34
2.1.10 References 35
Study unit 2.2: Biological positivism36
2.2.1 Introduction 37
2.2.2 Definitions of key concepts 38
2.2.3 Early theories of biological positivism 39

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, 2.2.4 Lombroso and the positivists 39
2.2.4.1 Physique and crime 41
2.2.5 Biosocial theories 41
2.2.5.1 Eysenck’s biosocial theory of crime 42
2.2.5.1.1 Recent interest in biological theories 42
2.2.5.1.2 Biosocial theory 43
2.2.5.2 Genetics factors 43
2.2.5.2.1 Studies of families 44
2.2.5.2.2 Studies of twins 45
2.2.5.2.3 Studies of adoptees 45
2.2.5.3 Biochemical influences on behaviour  46
2.2.5.3.1 Dietary factors 47
2.2.5.4 Neurophysiological factors 49
2.2.5.4.1 Hyperactivity and attention deficit disorders 50
2.2.5.4.2 IQ and criminal behaviour 51
2.2.5.4.3 Environmental exposure to chemicals 52
2.2.5.4.4 Hormonal levels 53
2.2.5.4.5 Personality and criminal behaviour 54
2.2.6 Conclusion 57
2.2.7 Self-evaluation questions 58
2.2.8 References 60
Study unit 2.3: Psychological positivism62
2.3.1 Introduction 63
2.3.2 Definitions of key concepts 63
2.3.3 Psychodynamic or psychoanalytic prerspective 64
2.3.3.1 Freud’s personality theory 64
2.3.3.2 Explanation of criminal behaviour 66
2.3.3.3 Evaluation of the psychoanalytic perspective on criminal
behaviour67
2.3.4 Behavioural perspective 68
2.3.4.1 Classical conditioning 69
2.3.4.2 Operant conditioning 69
2.3.4.3 Social learning theory 70
2.3.5 Cognitive theories and crime 73
2.3.5.1 Kohlberg’s moral stages of development 74
2.3.5.2 Evaluation of cognitive theories and crime 75
2.3.6 Conclusion 76
2.3.7 Self-evaluation questions 76
2.3.8 Answers to self-assessment questions 77
2.3.9 References 78
Study unit 3.1: Structure theories79
3.1.1 Introduction 80
3.1.2 Definitions of key concepts 80
3.1.3 Structure theories: premises 81
3.1.4 Structure theories: branches 82
3.1.4.1 Ecological theory 82
3.1.4.2 Strain theories 84
3.1.4.3 Cultural deviance theory 85
3.1.5 Summary and conclusion 85
3.1.6 Self-assessment 86
3.1.7 Answers to self-assessment questions 87
3.1.8 References 89

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