[also known as: Age-Graded Life-Course Theory of Crime, Age-Graded Development Theory, Theorie der Turning Points] Robert J. Sampson’s and John H. Laub’s Age Graded Theory or Theory of Turning Points describe the change in the crime load of individuals as a function of biographical events. For this purpose, they use
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Defiance Theory (Sherman)
According to the Defiance Theory, punishment can have three different effects. Punishment can have a deterrent effect and thus have the desired success. Punishment can be ineffective, i.e. have no influence on the subsequent committing of crimes. Punishment can cause a reaction of defiance. Thus punishment intensifies deviant behaviour. Which
Deterrence theories
Deterrence theories argue that the punishment of crimes results in both actual and potential perpetrators avoiding crime in the future. Main Proponents Cesare Beccaria, Jeremy Bentham, Franz von Liszt, Jack P. Gibbs, Alex Piquero, Raymond Paternoster, Stephan Tibbetts, M.C. Stafford, M. Warr, etc. Theory Deterrence theories are based on the
Techniques of neutralization (Sykes und Matza)
Techniques of neutralization explain how offenders rationalized or justified their behaviour. Main proponent Gresham M. Sykes und David Matza Theory A special case within the learning approaches is Sykes’ and Matza’s thesis of techniques of neutralization. The focus here is on the learned justifications of the criminal for his already
Theory of differential opportunity (Cloward & Ohlin)
The theory of differential opportunities combines learning, subculture, anomie and social disorganization theories and expands them to include the recognition that for criminal behaviour there must also be access to illegitimate means. Main proponent Richard A. Cloward und Lloyd E. Ohlin Theorie Cloward & Ohlin’s theory of differential opportunities represents
Social learning theory (Akers)
The theory of social learning states that criminal behaviour is learned when the positive consequences of deviant behaviour are more powerful than the positive consequences of normative behaviour (operant conditioning). Main proponent Ronald L. Akers und Robert L. Burgess Theory Referring to Sutherland’s theory of differential associations, Aker’s theory of
