PSYCHOCRIMINOLOGY
KRM 310: PART B
STUDY UNIT 1.
CHAPER 1: INTRODUCTION TO CRIMINAL BEHAVIOUR.
Describe what is meant by a theory of crime.
o The term “theory” is used loosely: it may refer to personal experiences, observations,
traditional beliefs, a set of opinions, or a collection of abstract thoughts. Almost
everyone has personal theories about human behaviour, and these extend to criminal
behaviour.
o Some people have a personal theory that the world is a just place, where one gets
what one deserves. “Just-worlders” as they are called. Believe that things do not
happen to people without a reason that is closely related to their own actions:
for example, individuals who experience financial difficulties probably
brought these on themselves. In reference to crime just-worlders may believe
both that a burglar deserved a severe penalty and that the victims did not
protect their property sufficiently. Because the world is a just place, the
battered spouse must have provoked a beating etc.
o the above beliefs represent individual “theories” or assumptions about how the world
works. However, psychologists have also developed a somewhat more elaborate
scientific theory based on the just-world ideas, and they have developed scales to
measure one’s just-world orientation. A variety of hypotheses – sometimes discussed
under the umbrella term just-world hypotheses – have been proposed and tested.
o the most recent research on just-world theory has identified two tracks: belief in a
general just-world and belief in a personal just-world. Belief in a personal just-world
(“I usually get what I deserve”) is considered adaptive and helpful in coping with dire
circumstances in one’s life. Belief in a general just-world seems to be far more
problematic because it is associated with less compassion for others and even a
derogation of victims of crime.
o Scientific theories like the above are based on logic and research, but they vary
widely in complexity. A scientific theory is a “set of interrelated constructs
(concepts), definitions, and propositions that present a systematic view of phenomena
by specifying relations among variables, with the purpose of explaining and
predicting the phenomena”.
A scientific theory of crime, therefore, should provide a general explanation
that encompasses and systematically connects many different social, economic
, and psychological variables to criminal behaviour, and it should be supported
by well-executed research.
The terms in any scientific must be as precise as possible, their meaning and
usage clear and unambiguous, so that it can be meaningfully tested by
observation and analysis.
o The process of theory testing is called theory verification. If a theory is not verified,
the end result is falsification.
for example, a theory of child sexual abuse that includes the proposition that
all child sex offenders were sexually abused as children would be falsified as
soon as one nonabused offender was encountered.
o The primary purpose of theories of crime is to identify the causes and precursors of
criminal behaviour. Some theories are broad and encompassing, whereas others are
narrow and specific. Basically, theories of criminal behaviour are summary statements
of a collection of research findings. They provide direction for further research. If one
component of a theory is falsified or not supported, the theory is not necessarily
rejected outright, however, it can be modified and retested. Each theory of crime has
implications for policy or decisions made by society to prevent crime.
o Over the past few decades many researchers have been interested in proposing models
to accompany various theories. A model is a graphic representation of a theory or a
concept, designed to enhance its understanding.
Models are relatively new, but theories of crime have been around for centuries:
o During the 18th Century, Cessare Beccaria developed a theory that human behaviour
is fundamentally driven by a choice made by weighing the amount of pleasure
gained against the amount of pain or punishment expected. Beccaria argued that
in order to reduce or stop criminal offending in any given society, the punishment
should be swift, certain and severe enough to deter people from the criminal
(pleasure-seeking) act. If people realised in advance that severe punishment would
be forthcoming, and coming soon, regardless of their social status or privileges, they
would choose not to engage in illegal behaviour. This theoretical thinking, which
emphasizes free will as the hallmark of human behaviour, has become known as
classical theory. Both criminal and civil law are rooted in the belief that
individuals are masters of their fate, the possessors of free will and freedom of
choice. Many of today’s approaches to crime prevention are consistent with classical
theory, which in its modern form is also known as deterrence theory.
For example, surveillance cameras on the streets, shoulder cameras on police
officers, and harsh sentences assume that individuals choose to commit crime
but may be persuaded not to under the threat of being discovered or being
punished with long prison time.
KRM 310: PART B
STUDY UNIT 1.
CHAPER 1: INTRODUCTION TO CRIMINAL BEHAVIOUR.
Describe what is meant by a theory of crime.
o The term “theory” is used loosely: it may refer to personal experiences, observations,
traditional beliefs, a set of opinions, or a collection of abstract thoughts. Almost
everyone has personal theories about human behaviour, and these extend to criminal
behaviour.
o Some people have a personal theory that the world is a just place, where one gets
what one deserves. “Just-worlders” as they are called. Believe that things do not
happen to people without a reason that is closely related to their own actions:
for example, individuals who experience financial difficulties probably
brought these on themselves. In reference to crime just-worlders may believe
both that a burglar deserved a severe penalty and that the victims did not
protect their property sufficiently. Because the world is a just place, the
battered spouse must have provoked a beating etc.
o the above beliefs represent individual “theories” or assumptions about how the world
works. However, psychologists have also developed a somewhat more elaborate
scientific theory based on the just-world ideas, and they have developed scales to
measure one’s just-world orientation. A variety of hypotheses – sometimes discussed
under the umbrella term just-world hypotheses – have been proposed and tested.
o the most recent research on just-world theory has identified two tracks: belief in a
general just-world and belief in a personal just-world. Belief in a personal just-world
(“I usually get what I deserve”) is considered adaptive and helpful in coping with dire
circumstances in one’s life. Belief in a general just-world seems to be far more
problematic because it is associated with less compassion for others and even a
derogation of victims of crime.
o Scientific theories like the above are based on logic and research, but they vary
widely in complexity. A scientific theory is a “set of interrelated constructs
(concepts), definitions, and propositions that present a systematic view of phenomena
by specifying relations among variables, with the purpose of explaining and
predicting the phenomena”.
A scientific theory of crime, therefore, should provide a general explanation
that encompasses and systematically connects many different social, economic
, and psychological variables to criminal behaviour, and it should be supported
by well-executed research.
The terms in any scientific must be as precise as possible, their meaning and
usage clear and unambiguous, so that it can be meaningfully tested by
observation and analysis.
o The process of theory testing is called theory verification. If a theory is not verified,
the end result is falsification.
for example, a theory of child sexual abuse that includes the proposition that
all child sex offenders were sexually abused as children would be falsified as
soon as one nonabused offender was encountered.
o The primary purpose of theories of crime is to identify the causes and precursors of
criminal behaviour. Some theories are broad and encompassing, whereas others are
narrow and specific. Basically, theories of criminal behaviour are summary statements
of a collection of research findings. They provide direction for further research. If one
component of a theory is falsified or not supported, the theory is not necessarily
rejected outright, however, it can be modified and retested. Each theory of crime has
implications for policy or decisions made by society to prevent crime.
o Over the past few decades many researchers have been interested in proposing models
to accompany various theories. A model is a graphic representation of a theory or a
concept, designed to enhance its understanding.
Models are relatively new, but theories of crime have been around for centuries:
o During the 18th Century, Cessare Beccaria developed a theory that human behaviour
is fundamentally driven by a choice made by weighing the amount of pleasure
gained against the amount of pain or punishment expected. Beccaria argued that
in order to reduce or stop criminal offending in any given society, the punishment
should be swift, certain and severe enough to deter people from the criminal
(pleasure-seeking) act. If people realised in advance that severe punishment would
be forthcoming, and coming soon, regardless of their social status or privileges, they
would choose not to engage in illegal behaviour. This theoretical thinking, which
emphasizes free will as the hallmark of human behaviour, has become known as
classical theory. Both criminal and civil law are rooted in the belief that
individuals are masters of their fate, the possessors of free will and freedom of
choice. Many of today’s approaches to crime prevention are consistent with classical
theory, which in its modern form is also known as deterrence theory.
For example, surveillance cameras on the streets, shoulder cameras on police
officers, and harsh sentences assume that individuals choose to commit crime
but may be persuaded not to under the threat of being discovered or being
punished with long prison time.
