STO.

NIÑO COLLEGE OF
ORMOC, INC.
Sto. Niño Street, Doña Felisa Mejia Subdivision,
Ormoc City

LEARNING MODULE
ON

THEORIES OF CRIME
CAUSATION
(Criminology 2)
SEMESTER: FIRST SEMESTER
SCHOOL YEAR: 2021-2022

STUDENTS: 2nd Year BS Crim

INSTRUCTOR: ATTY. ALLAN R. CASTRO
 COURSE SYLLABUS
DESCRIPTIVE TITLE : Theories of Crime Causation

UNITS : 3

COURSE DESCRIPTION : The field of criminology systematically studies the

causes of crime. Theoretical explanations of the
causes of crime contribute to the understanding of
criminal behavior, provide important framework for
examining current policies, and present treatment
efforts to deal with or alleviate the crime problem.

NUMBER OF HOURS : 3 hours every week for 18 weeks or 54 hours in a

semester

Within the stated period of time, the students will be able to know the topics of the
subject matter below:

A. Introduction; Definition of theory and crime

B. Crimes against persons and crimes against properties

C. The Crime Triangle

D. Three Broad Theoretical Models of Criminal Behavior

E. Criminal Behavior and its approaches

F. Psychological Approaches

G. Biological Approaches

H. Sociological Approaches

I. Early general theories on the causes of crime:

1. Domonological theory
2. Positivist theory
3. Classical theory
4. Neoclassical theory
5. Conflict theory
 6. Critical theory

J. Biological theories of the causes of crime

1. Lombrosian theory
2. Atavism
3. William Sheldon’s theory
4. Biochemical theories
5. General Inferiority theory

K. Psychological theories of the causes of crime

1. Psychodynamic theory
2. Behavioral theory
3. Cognitive theory
4. Personality and Crime
5. Psychopathic personality
6. Intelligence and Crime
7. Freudan-Psychoanalytic theory
8. Anxiety and Defense Mechanism
9. Low IQ Theory
10. Attention-Deficit-Hyperactivity Theory
11. Frustration-Aggression Theory
12. Inferiority Complex
13. Delinquent Subculture theory
14. Rational Choice theory
15. Drift theory
16. Labelling theory

L. Sociological theories of the causes of crime

1. Social Disorganization theory
2. Strain theory
3. Social Learning theory
4. Routine Activity theory
5. Utilitarianism
6. Differential Association theory
7. Containment theory
8. Social Bond theory
9. Life-Course theory
10. Durkheim’s Anomie theory
11. Self-derogation theory
12. Interactional theory
13. Self-control theory
14. Culture Deviance theory
15. Theory of Feminism
16. Differential Oppression theory

M. DIFFERENT CAUSES OF CRIMES

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course, students should be able to:

1. Know the importance of knowing the theories of the causes of crime.
2. Understand the different theories of crime, whether they are biological,
psychological or sociological causes.
3. Gain deeper understanding of the ways and behaviors of criminals and
how to deal with them.
4. Know who are the prime movers in the field of criminology and their
theories.
5. Know the causes of crimes.
6. Develop the ability on how to actively play the role as law enforcement
officers in the criminal justice system.
7. Manifest interest in the proper implementation of the procedure in criminal
cases.

Textbook: Theories and Causes of Crimes by Danilo L. Tancangco, Ph.D.

2018 Edition
 MODULE 1
Introduction and Learning Outcomes
(Theories of Crime Causation)

This module consists of three (3) topics, namely:

A. Introduction; Definition of Theory and Crime

B. Crimes against persons and crimes against properties

C. The Crime Triangle

Estimated learning duration: 3 to 5 hours

Intended learning outcomes from this module:

A. Students would learn the overview why it is important to

know the causes of crime and the underlying theories
why a particular person or group of persons have the
tendency to commit criminal acts.
B. Students would know the definitions of theory and crime.
C. Students would be able to know and differentiate crime
against persons and crimes against properties.
D. Students would know the Crime Triangle

Activities in this module:

1. Lecture using attached topics and discussions

 2. Supplemental discussions through FB Messenger via
Group Chat and/or Zoom, if applicable.
3. Exercises : Quiz and Observation Report

Topics and Discussions:

Introduction:

The field of criminology systematically studies the causes of

crime. Explanations for crime are not simple. The causes of crime
is a complex as the society.

Theoretical explanations of the causes of crime contribute to:

1. Understanding of criminal behavior,
2. Provide important framework for examining current
policies, and
3. Present treatment efforts to deal with or alleviate the crime
problem.

Definition:

What is a crime?

CRIME – an act or omission punishable by law.

- it is also called “felonies”

Examples of crimes:
1. Physical Injuries
2. Homicide
3. Murder
4. Alarms and Scandal
 5. Treason
6. Rape
7. Violation of RA 7610
8. Violation of RA 9262
9. Violation of RA 9165
10. Reckless Imprudence resulting in damage to property
and/or physical injury and/or homicide.

What is theory:

Theory - Any system of ideas arranged in rational order that

produce general principles which increase our understanding and
explanations.
It is derived from, and representative, of particular facts, but
are not dependent upon the particular thing.

Theories of the causes of crimes are the foundation of

criminology and of the criminal justice.

The Crime Triangle

The CRIME TRIANGLE: a theory of crime problems, also known

as (a.k.a.) Routine Activity Theory
 Routine Activity Theory provides that in the absence of
effective controls, offenders will prey upon attractive targets.
To have a crime, a motivated offender must come in the same
place with the attractive target.

For property crime, what is the target?

For crime against person, what is the target?

Three important elements according to the Crime Triangle:

1. Offender
2. Target/Victim
3. Place
Influential people in the lives of offenders, known as handlers:
1. Parents
2. Siblings
3. Relatives
4. Peers
5. Teachers and coaches
6. Close friends
7. Masterminds

Influential people in the lives of target, known as guardians:

1. Parents
2. Siblings
3. Relatives
4. Teachers and coaches
5. Formal guardian such as security guards, police officer,
property custodian, etc.

Places:
1. Home
2. School
3. Office
4. Roads/Streets
5. Public Plaza
6. Mall
7. Church
Etc.

Tools:
1. Knife
 2. Gun
3. IED
4. Screwdriver
5. Spray paints
6. Cars
7. Cellphone
8. Etc.

The presence of attractive targets, weak handlers, ineffective

guardianship, and indifferent management are not randomly
distributed across places.

Offenders do not wander aimlessly across the landscape. Like

everyone else, offenders have routine behaviors that take them
away from handlers and lead them to discover places with
attractive targets.

Potential victims too follow routines that separate them from

effective guardians to the place with weak management.

The Routine Activity Theory suggests of the spatial ordering of

crime opportunities with the routines of the offenders and the
victims.

Supplemental Discussions will be through GC or Zoom.

Quiz will follow.

Next:

MODULE 2
Three Broad Theoretical Models of Criminal Behavior