By Dex Crime Focus
4'
1. Meaning of Theory
A theory is an explanation of why something happens.
In criminology, a theory tries to answer questions such as:
Why do people commit crime?
Why do some people commit crime while others do not?
Is crime caused by the individual or society?
Why does crime occur more in some places than others?
How can crime be prevented and controlled?
A theory does not always give one single answer. Different theories explain crime from different perspectives.
2. Meaning of Crime
Crime is an act or omission that is prohibited by law and punishable by the state.
Example:
If the law says that stealing another person's property is illegal, a person who intentionally steals may be committing the crime of theft.
Crime has two important parts:
A. Actus Reus
This means the criminal act.
Example: A person takes another person's property without permission.
B. Mens Rea
This means the criminal intention or guilty mind.
Example: The person knows that the property belongs to another person but intentionally takes it.
In simple terms:
> Actus reus = the guilty act.
Mens rea = the guilty mind.
However, the exact legal requirements can differ depending on the particular offence.
PART A: THEORIES OF CRIME
3. Classical Theory
The classical theory developed from the idea that human beings have free will.
According to this theory, people are capable of making choices.
A person may think:
> “If I commit this crime, what benefit will I get, and what punishment may I receive?”
Example
A person sees an unlocked shop at night. The person wants to steal but decides not to because there are cameras and the police may arrest them.
The classical theory says the person made a rational choice.
Crime control under classical theory
The best way to control crime is to make punishment:
Certain — the offender is likely to be caught.
Swift — punishment follows the offence without unnecessary delay.
Proportionate — punishment should fit the seriousness of the crime.
Main idea:
> People may avoid crime when the expected punishment is greater than the expected benefit.
4. Positivist Theory
The positivist school argues that crime is not always simply a matter of free choice.
It believes that criminal behaviour may be influenced by factors such as:
Biological factors
Psychological factors
Social factors
Environmental conditions
Researchers try to study crime scientifically by examining evidence and facts.
Example
Instead of only asking:
> “Why did this person choose to commit crime?”
A positivist may ask:
> “What biological, psychological, or social factors influenced this person's behaviour?”
Crime control
Crime control may focus on:
Treatment
Rehabilitation
Education
Social support
Addressing the causes of criminal behaviour.
5. Biological Theory
Biological theories study the relationship between the body, brain, genetics, and behaviour.
Some biological factors may influence behaviour, but having a biological risk factor does not mean that a person will become a criminal.
Criminal behaviour is usually influenced by many factors.
Example
Two people may experience similar biological or environmental difficulties. One may commit crime, while the other may not.
Therefore, biological factors alone cannot completely explain crime.
Crime control
Possible approaches include:
Early support
Medical and psychological assessment where appropriate
Education
Treatment
Rehabilitation
6. Psychological Theory
Psychological theories focus on the mind, emotions, personality, and behaviour of the individual.
A person's behaviour may be influenced by:
Poor emotional control
Aggression
Childhood experiences
Personality development
Trauma
Poor decision-making
Example
A person who cannot control anger may respond to a disagreement with violence.
Psychological theory may ask:
> “What is happening in the person's thinking and emotional development?”
Crime control
Control methods may include:
Counselling
Psychological treatment
Anger-management programmes
Education
Rehabilitation
7. Sociological Theory
Sociological theories believe that society can influence criminal behaviour.
They study:
Family
Friends
School
Religion
Poverty
Unemployment
Community
Social inequality
Example
A young person who grows up in an environment where criminal groups are common may be more exposed to criminal behaviour.
This does not mean that every poor person or every person from a difficult community will commit crime.
The theory only suggests that social conditions may influence behaviour.
8. Strain Theory
Strain theory explains crime as a result of pressure or difficulty.
Society may tell people:
> “You must become wealthy and successful.”
However, some people may not have legitimate opportunities to achieve these goals.
This may create strain or pressure.
Example
A person wants money but has no job and no legitimate opportunity. The person may decide to commit fraud or theft.
Crime control
Crime may be reduced through:
Employment opportunities
Education
Skills acquisition
Poverty reduction
Social support
9. Social Learning Theory
Social learning theory argues that people can learn criminal behaviour from others.
People may learn:
Criminal techniques
Criminal values
Criminal attitudes
How to justify crime
Example
A young person joins a criminal group and learns how the group operates.
The person may learn that:
> “Crime is acceptable.”
Crime control
Possible solutions include:
Positive role models
Youth development
Education
Removing young people from harmful criminal influences
Positive peer groups
10. Social Control Theory
Social control theory asks:
> Why do most people not commit crime?
The theory suggests that people are controlled by their relationships and responsibilities.
Important social bonds include:
Attachment to parents
Commitment to education or work
Involvement in positive activities
Belief in the law and social rules
Example
A student may refuse to join a criminal group because they value:
Their family
Their education
Their future career
These social bonds help control behaviour.
11. Labeling Theory
Labeling theory explains how society's reaction to an offender may influence future behaviour.
Example
A person commits a minor offence. After being labelled a “criminal,” society may reject the person.
The person may then find it difficult to:
Get employment
Return to school
Build positive relationships
This rejection may increase the possibility of further offending.
Crime control
Crime control should therefore include:
Rehabilitation
Reintegration
Education
Avoiding unnecessary stigmatization
Support after release from prison
PART B: CRIME CONTROL
12. Meaning of Crime Control
Crime control is the process of using lawful strategies to:
1. Prevent crime
2. Detect crime
3. Investigate crime
4. Arrest suspects
5. Prosecute offenders
6. Punish convicted offenders
7. Rehabilitate offenders
8. Protect victims and society
13. Crime Prevention
Crime prevention attempts to stop crime before it occurs.
Primary Prevention
This deals with the general population.
Examples:
Education
Employment
Good community planning
Street lighting
Secondary Prevention
This focuses on people or places considered at higher risk.
Examples:
Youth programmes
Support for vulnerable communities
Special police patrols
Tertiary Prevention
This focuses on people who have already committed crimes.
Examples:
Rehabilitation
Probation
Prison programmes
Counselling
14. Crime Detection
Crime detection means discovering that a crime has occurred and identifying the person responsible.
Methods may include:
Police investigation
Witness interviews
CCTV
Digital evidence
Forensic science
Intelligence gathering
15. Criminal Investigation
Investigation involves collecting information and evidence.
Investigators may ask:
What happened?
When did it happen?
Where did it happen?
Who was involved?
What evidence exists?
What was the motive?
The investigation must be conducted lawfully and fairly.
16. Criminal Justice System
The criminal justice system is the system used to respond to crime.
It generally includes:
Police
Detect and investigate crime.
Prosecutors
Present cases against accused persons where there is sufficient evidence.
Courts
Determine guilt or innocence according to law.
Correctional Institutions
Carry out lawful sentences and support rehabilitation.
Example:
Crime → Police investigation → Arrest where legally justified → Prosecution → Trial → Judgment → Sentence or acquittal
17. Punishment as Crime Control
Punishment can serve different purposes.
A. Deterrence
To discourage people from committing crime.
There are two types:
General deterrence: discourages the public from committing crime.
Specific deterrence: discourages a particular offender from committing crime again.
B. Incapacitation
This prevents an offender from committing certain crimes in the community for a period of time.
Example: imprisonment after conviction.
C. Rehabilitation
This attempts to change criminal behaviour.
Examples:
Education
Vocational training
Counselling
Skills acquisition
D. Retribution
This means imposing a lawful punishment because an offender has been found guilty and deserves a proportionate legal consequence.
18. Community Policing
Community policing involves cooperation between:
Police
Community leaders
Residents
Youth groups
Other relevant organizations
Example
Residents provide information about criminal activities, while the police work with the community to improve safety.
The main idea is:
> Police and the community work together to solve security problems.
19. Intelligence-Led Crime Control
Intelligence helps security agencies understand:
Who may be involved in crime
Where crime may occur
How criminal groups operate
What threats may develop
This helps agencies make better decisions and use resources more effectively.
20. Difference Between Crime Prevention and Crime Control
Crime Prevention Crime Control
Tries to stop crime before it happens Includes responses to crime after it occurs
Focuses on reducing opportunities for crime Includes investigation, arrest, prosecution, and punishment
Example: street lighting Example: police investigation
Example: youth education Example: criminal trial
Simple explanation:
> Prevention tries to stop crime. Crime control is broader: it includes prevention and the response to crime when it occurs.
The study of Theory of Crime and Crime Control has two major parts:
1. Theory of Crime
This explains why crime occurs.
Different theories focus on:
Free will and rational choice
Biological factors
Psychological factors
Social conditions
Economic pressure
Learning from others
Social relationships
Society's reaction to offenders
2. Crime Control
This explains how crime can be dealt with.
It includes:
Crime prevention
Police work
Investigation
Criminal intelligence
Prosecution
Courts
Punishment
Rehabilitation
Community participation
The easiest way to remember the course:
> THEORY = Why does crime happen
CONTROL = What can we do about crime
COMMENTS