SOC 2230 Study Guide - Comprehensive Midterm Guide: National Incident Based Reporting System, Uniform Crime Reports, National Crime Victimization Survey

• School: University of Virginia
• Department: Sociology
• Course: SOC 2230
• Professor: Mc Connell Bob

Document Summary

Classical theory formulated in on crimes and punishments. Attempted to reform the criminal justice system of his day. Social/historical context: old social order was breaking down. Focus on page 62-64 in lanier and henry (understand what beccaria"s world looks like) People had certain privileges and entitlements as parts of estates this order was breaking down, capitalism emerging. The individual appeared -> people were making choices as individuals, not estates. The free and rational individual -> people were making money as individuals. Justice system needed to be reformed to take into account this new kind of person . Rational choice theory: explains how people make decisions, how they make decisions about what they are to do. Assumes that people make their decisions on some calculation of costs and benefits. Assessment of costs and benefits = rationality. People do the things that will be the most beneficial to them. People won"t do something that appears to be too costly.