SOC 2700 Lecture : Criminological Theory Intro
29 Jan 2012
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Document Summary
A set of fundamental assumptions about a particular crime. A way of understanding why and how a crime occur. Goals: explain and predict: most theories of crime do both. The creation and evaluation of theory: theories of crime (are created to) either explain crime or attempt to predict crime, evidence helps to verify a theory. Does criminological theory have a use: helps to explain why crime occurs, crime prevention may also be a result (e. g. stigma and labeling, example: conflict theory. Criminological theories as explanations: spiritual i. e. external forces such as witchcraft, evil or demonic entities that make people deviant, natural i. e. universal laws/rules/values. Natural law = murder is wrong 100% of the time. (not actually universal however: scientific i. e. world itself is universal. Cause and effect such as negative emotions leading to deviant behaviour, wiring in the brain, etc.
