SOC 2700 Chapter Notes - Chapter 1: Edwin Sutherland, Determinism, Social Disorganization Theory

• School: University of Guelph
• Department: Sociology
• Course: SOC 2700
• Professor: Stephanie Howells

Document Summary

Chapter #1, introduction to criminological theory, page 11-23. What is theory: theory is about real situations, feelings, experience, and human behaviour. An effective theory helps make sense of facts that we already know and can be tested against new facts. Types of criminological theories: edwin sutherland described criminology as the study of the entire process of lawmaking, lawbreaking, and law enforcing. Theories of criminal and deviant behaviour- theories of criminal and deviant behaviour try to answer the question of why social and legal norms are violated, and has two interrelated parts; Why are there variations in group rates of crime and deviance #2. The first question tries to make sense of the differences in the location and proportion of deviant and criminal behaviour in various groups and societies. The second question raises the issue of explaining the differences among individuals in committing or refraining from criminal acts.