General Theory of Crime - Criminological Theory - Lecture Slides, Slides of Criminology

Download General Theory of Crime - Criminological Theory - Lecture Slides and more Slides Criminology in PDF only on Docsity! A General Theory of Crime Gottfredson and Hirschi (1990) “OOPS” -Travis Hirschi Docsity.com The Nature of Crime and Criminals Criminal Acts… Provide immediate gratification of desires Are risky/thrilling Are easy/simple Require little skill/planning Provide few/meager long term benefits Result in pain/discomfort to a victim Criminals are therefore… Impulsive Risk-taking Physical (as opposed to mental) Low verbal ability Short-sighted Insensitive Docsity.com Is Gerald Patterson a Control Theorist or a Learning Theorist? • In the field of Psychology = Social Learning • In the field of Criminology? – Most likely a control theorist • Assumption about human nature, “direct controls” – BUT, has elements of learning theory, which Akers notes Docsity.com Implications of Low Self-Control • The sole cause of crime and “analogous behaviors” – All Crime? – “Analogous Behaviors?” • Explains “stability” of criminality – Low self-control is stable over time • What does this mean for Hirschi’s social bonds? Docsity.com 2 Explanations Social Bonds Low Self Control Crime Poverty, Delinquent Peers, Social Bonds, Poverty Low Self Control Crime From Aker’s Book (Social Selection & Social Causation) Pure Social Selection Docsity.com Policy Implications • Low self-control stable after age 8 – Only “early prevention” can reduce crime – Train parents, support parents?? • Typical “rehabilitation” won’t reduce crime • Changing “bonds” won’t reduce crime • Early intervention with parents? Docsity.com REIVEW • Scope? • Parsimony? • Criticisms? – Why do people desist from criminal activity? – Not the “sole” cause of crime – Bonds still more important? Docsity.com