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Understanding Criminology Unit 4 AC2.2
Louise
@louise_studies
1 / 5
Retribution: Getting Even
Ever heard the phrase "an eye for an eye"? That's retribution in action - punishing offenders simply because they deserve it for what they've done. It's society's way of getting revenge and expressing moral outrage.
Proportionality is key here - the punishment should fit the crime. This means having a fixed tariff system where specific crimes automatically get specific penalties. Right Realists and Functionalists support this approach, with Durkheim arguing that punishing offenders reminds everyone else about right and wrong.
The big problem? Critics point out that emotions often override facts when deciding what's "proportionate." Plus, retribution only looks backwards at crimes already committed - it doesn't actually prevent future offending.
Quick Tip: Retribution assumes offenders are rational thinkers who consciously chose to commit crimes, following Rational Choice Theory.
Rehabilitation: Fixing the Problem
Think of rehabilitation as giving offenders a second chance through treatment programmes designed to change their behaviour. Instead of just locking people up, this approach tackles the root causes of criminal behaviour.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) helps offenders recognise and change the thinking patterns that led to their crimes. Other methods include anger management courses, drug treatment programmes, and education/training schemes to help ex-offenders find legitimate work.
Left Realists champion this approach because they see social factors like poverty and poor education as crime causes. However, Right Realists criticise rehabilitation's limited success rates - many offenders still reoffend even after completing programmes.
Remember: Marxists argue that rehabilitation unfairly blames individual failings rather than addressing how capitalism creates conditions for crime.
Deterrence: Scaring People Straight
Deterrence works on fear - if punishments are severe enough and people are likely to get caught, they won't commit crimes in the first place. This connects directly to Rational Choice Theory and Right Realism.
There are two types: individual deterrence (stopping the actual offender from reoffending) and global deterrence (warning everyone else). Historically, public punishments like executions served this purpose. Modern strategies include "target hardening" to make crimes harder to commit successfully.
The approach faces serious criticism though. Many offenders act irrationally without considering consequences, and there's little evidence that harsh punishments actually work. If half of prisoners reoffend within a year, prison clearly isn't an effective deterrent.
Key Point: Certainty of getting caught matters more than severity of punishment - even harsh penalties won't deter if people think they won't be caught.
Reparation: Making Things Right
Reparation focuses on making amends rather than inflicting punishment. Through restorative justice, offenders meet their victims to understand the impact of their crimes and seek forgiveness.
This approach allows victims to explain how the crime affected them whilst giving offenders chance to express genuine remorse. Durkheim supported this as a way to reintegrate offenders back into society and prevent secondary deviance, which Labelling Theory warns about.
Reparation includes compensation payments and community service orders. However, critics argue it's too "soft" and inappropriate for serious crimes like sexual offences. Many people don't see it as real punishment at all.
Think About It: Restorative justice aims to bring closure to victims whilst helping offenders avoid the negative labels that might push them towards further crime.
Incapacitation: Removing the Threat
Incapacitation is straightforward - remove criminals' ability to reoffend by locking them up, banishing them, or in extreme historical cases, executing them. Modern incapacitation primarily means imprisonment.
Right Realists favour this approach for public protection, especially since repeat offenders commit most crimes. The Crime (Sentences) Act 1997 introduced mandatory minimum sentences for repeat offenders, following the "three strikes" principle from America.
Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP) allowed courts to give indefinite sentences to dangerous offenders until abolished in 2012. However, critics argue this leads to "warehousing" prisoners with little hope of rehabilitation and punishes people for crimes they haven't yet committed.
Reality Check: Biological theorists like Lombroso supported permanent incapacitation, arguing some criminals simply cannot be rehabilitated due to their nature.
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This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
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The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
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Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE Knowunity AI. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
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Understanding Criminology Unit 4 AC2.2
Louise
@louise_studies
Understanding why and how we punish criminals is crucial for grasping how our justice system works. There are five main approaches to punishment, each with different goals and methods - from seeking revenge to preventing future crimes.
Retribution: Getting Even
Ever heard the phrase "an eye for an eye"? That's retribution in action - punishing offenders simply because they deserve it for what they've done. It's society's way of getting revenge and expressing moral outrage.
Proportionality is key here - the punishment should fit the crime. This means having a fixed tariff system where specific crimes automatically get specific penalties. Right Realists and Functionalists support this approach, with Durkheim arguing that punishing offenders reminds everyone else about right and wrong.
The big problem? Critics point out that emotions often override facts when deciding what's "proportionate." Plus, retribution only looks backwards at crimes already committed - it doesn't actually prevent future offending.
Quick Tip: Retribution assumes offenders are rational thinkers who consciously chose to commit crimes, following Rational Choice Theory.
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Rehabilitation: Fixing the Problem
Think of rehabilitation as giving offenders a second chance through treatment programmes designed to change their behaviour. Instead of just locking people up, this approach tackles the root causes of criminal behaviour.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) helps offenders recognise and change the thinking patterns that led to their crimes. Other methods include anger management courses, drug treatment programmes, and education/training schemes to help ex-offenders find legitimate work.
Left Realists champion this approach because they see social factors like poverty and poor education as crime causes. However, Right Realists criticise rehabilitation's limited success rates - many offenders still reoffend even after completing programmes.
Remember: Marxists argue that rehabilitation unfairly blames individual failings rather than addressing how capitalism creates conditions for crime.
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
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Deterrence: Scaring People Straight
Deterrence works on fear - if punishments are severe enough and people are likely to get caught, they won't commit crimes in the first place. This connects directly to Rational Choice Theory and Right Realism.
There are two types: individual deterrence (stopping the actual offender from reoffending) and global deterrence (warning everyone else). Historically, public punishments like executions served this purpose. Modern strategies include "target hardening" to make crimes harder to commit successfully.
The approach faces serious criticism though. Many offenders act irrationally without considering consequences, and there's little evidence that harsh punishments actually work. If half of prisoners reoffend within a year, prison clearly isn't an effective deterrent.
Key Point: Certainty of getting caught matters more than severity of punishment - even harsh penalties won't deter if people think they won't be caught.
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Reparation: Making Things Right
Reparation focuses on making amends rather than inflicting punishment. Through restorative justice, offenders meet their victims to understand the impact of their crimes and seek forgiveness.
This approach allows victims to explain how the crime affected them whilst giving offenders chance to express genuine remorse. Durkheim supported this as a way to reintegrate offenders back into society and prevent secondary deviance, which Labelling Theory warns about.
Reparation includes compensation payments and community service orders. However, critics argue it's too "soft" and inappropriate for serious crimes like sexual offences. Many people don't see it as real punishment at all.
Think About It: Restorative justice aims to bring closure to victims whilst helping offenders avoid the negative labels that might push them towards further crime.
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
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Incapacitation: Removing the Threat
Incapacitation is straightforward - remove criminals' ability to reoffend by locking them up, banishing them, or in extreme historical cases, executing them. Modern incapacitation primarily means imprisonment.
Right Realists favour this approach for public protection, especially since repeat offenders commit most crimes. The Crime (Sentences) Act 1997 introduced mandatory minimum sentences for repeat offenders, following the "three strikes" principle from America.
Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP) allowed courts to give indefinite sentences to dangerous offenders until abolished in 2012. However, critics argue this leads to "warehousing" prisoners with little hope of rehabilitation and punishes people for crimes they haven't yet committed.
Reality Check: Biological theorists like Lombroso supported permanent incapacitation, arguing some criminals simply cannot be rehabilitated due to their nature.
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The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE Knowunity AI. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE Knowunity AI. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user