[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
Routine Activity Theory (RAT)
The Routine Activity Theory states that the occurrence of a crime is likely if there is a motivated offender and a suitable target, with the simultaneous absence of a capable guardian. Main proponents Lawrence E. Cohen, Marcus Felson, Ronald V. Clarke Theory According to Cohen and Felson, crime rates depend
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
Rational Choice Theory
Criminology’s application of the Rational Choice Theory sees crime as the result of individual rational consideration of the expected benefits and costs of criminal activity. Main Proponents Gary S. Becker, Derek Cornish, Ronald Clarke, u.a. Theory The thesis of ‘Rational Choice’ is an economic, general theory of action. In general,
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
