SOC 2760 Lecture : Chapter 6 notes.docx

• School: University of Guelph
• Department: Sociology
• Course: SOC 2760
• Professor: Rob Shearer

Document Summary

Focus on factors outside individuals to explain criminal behaviour: environment influences behaviour, societies structured differently and cultures vary so crime rates vary by place and time. Across world, men more likely than women to be victim of homicide. Us southern states reflect higher homicide rates than northeasteners. African americans and poor people are over represented as both homicide victims and offenders. Argued that people are rational and hedonistic and that they possess free will. Hedonistic = motivated by desire for pleasure and you attempt to avoid pain. Rational = capable of exercising logic by considering consequences. Free will = can determine own actions. Individuals make decisions on how they act: weight the costs and benefits of homicide. Perspective seen in rational choice theory: assume people are rational and consider risks involved in their actions before acting, strongly associated with deterrence theory. Laws may have an effect on human behaviour. Criminal justice system set up sp people punished when commit crime.