PSYC 3402 Chapter 1: Chapter 1.docx
Document Summary
Emphasis on research findings, critical evaluation, & application. You can"t look at outliers (i. e. homolka) not good predictors of criminal behavior; focus on regular offenders. Tv news has the largest influence in respect to canadians perception of crime; Psychology is interested in intra-individual differences and inter-individual differences: Intra-individual : variations in criminal conduct within an individual across time and situations. Patterns of individual behavior thoughts, feelings, or attitudes. Inter-individual : variations in criminal conduct between individuals. Importance of socialization and the influence of community, family and peer groups. Forensic psychology refers to any application of psychology to the legal system. Correctional psychology model preferred model of criminal psychology. Crime desistance decreased criminal activity; age-crime curve ; Criminal behavior refers to intentional behaviour that violates a criminal code; intentional in that it did not occur accidentally or without justification or excuse. Determinants of crime: distal (historic) grew up with alcoholic criminal parents.