SOC 2700 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Heredity, Scientific Method, Thoughtcrime

• School: University of Guelph
• Department: Sociology
• Course: SOC 2700
• Professor: Reza Barmaki

Document Summary

Systematic observation- don"t believe something just because someone says so, observe empirical data for ourselves. Falsifibility- can you test it to see if it is true if not than it is not scientific (can you prove it to be false) Orderly universe- a hierarchy of people (i. e. royalty are superior etc. ) Modern- immanuel kant (end in itself/ dignity) Rational choice theory (minimize pain and maximize pleasure)- psychological (comes before cost and benefit analysis) Cost and benefit, information, and deterrence- cost and benefit is economic. Routine activities theory- motivated offender, a suitable target, and absence of a capable guardian. Irrationality is therefore when someone does something when the costs outweigh the benefits (when someone is impulsive they often do not think rationally and about cost or benefit of their actions) Criminal justice system= the stages through which the offender passes, including police, courts and corrections.