CRIM 1650 Chapter Notes -Control Theory, Decision-Making, Social Issue

• School: York University
• Department: Criminology
• Course: CRIM 1650
• Professor: James Williams

Document Summary

Two perspectives explain the existence of a social problem: individuals who have vested interests in an issue bring the problem to public"s attention characterized as. Myth: traditional story with a historical basis that explains some practice, belief, or event. Often reveal underlying ideals, and tell us more about our social and cultural values than they do about any particular circumstance. More often instruct us on how to integrate an event into our belief system. Fiction in crime myth comes not from fabrication of events, but from the transformation and distortion of those events into social and political problems. Events gain their persuasiveness and motivating power from their larger than life" quality. Power of crime myths come from their seemingly natural explanations of crime. Crime myths are powerful constructions of reality because they speak to our personal values and beliefs, and are steeped in rich symbolism which reinforces those values and beliefs.