CJ 102 Introduction to Criminology

Seminar Topic This seminar will discuss what Criminology is and how Criminologists define crime. How do theories created by Criminologists influence criminal justice policies and procedures?

3 Primary questions for seminar discussion What is criminology? How do criminologists define crime? How do theories criminological theories influence criminal justice policies and procedures?

Chapter One: Crime and Criminology

Criminology An integrated approach to the study of the nature, extent, cause, and control of criminal behavior

Schools of Criminological Thought Classical Positivist Sociological Conflict Developmental Contemporary

Classical Criminology The theoretical perspective suggesting that: People have free will to choose criminal or conventional behaviors People choose to commit crime for reasons of greed or personal need Crime can be controlled only by the fear of criminal sanctions

Positivist Criminology Began during the 19th century Uses the scientific method of the natural sciences and suggests that human behavior is a product of social, biological, psychological, or economic forces

Sociological Criminology Based on the work of Quetelet and Durkheim, this approach focuses on the relationship between social factors and crime Crime is not a function of personal characteristics but a social phenomenon that can be reduced by improving social and economic conditions

Conflict Theory Advanced by Karl Marx, this approach suggests that human behavior is shaped by interpersonal conflict and those who maintain social power use it to further their own ends

Developmental Criminology Began during the 20th century An integration of sociological, psychological, and economic elements came together to form the perspective that criminality is a dynamic process influenced by social experiences as well as individual characteristics

Contemporary Criminology Various schools over the past 200 years have resulted in a number of contemporary theories: Rational choice Trait Social structure Social process Critical Developmental

What Do Criminologists Do Potential areas of specialization: Criminal statistics Sociology of the law Theory construction Criminal behavior systems Penology Victimology

Elements of Criminological Theories - Positivism Underlying assumptions – deterministic – a cause and effect relationship Causal arguments: propositions & hypotheses Implicit concepts and variables Empirical support: quantitative & qualitative Goals: Fulfilled or unfulfilled Description Explanation Prediction control

Deviance vs. Crime Criminologists view deviant behavior as any action that departs from the social norms of society Deviance thus includes a broad spectrum of behaviors ranging from the most socially harmful to the relatively inoffensive A deviant act becomes a crime when it is deemed socially harmful or dangerous; it then will be specifically defined, prohibited, and punished under the criminal law

Consensus View of Crime The law defines crime Agreement exists on outlawed behavior Laws apply to all citizens equally

Conflict View of Crime The law is a tool of the ruling class Crime is a politically defined concept “Real crimes,” such as racism, sexism, and classism, are not outlawed The law is used to control the underclass

Interactionist View of Crime Moral entrepreneurs define crime Acts become crimes because society defines them that way Criminal labels are life-transforming events

Crime is . . . . . . a violation of societal rules of behavior as interpreted and expressed by the criminal law, which reflects public opinion, traditional values, and the viewpoint of people currently holding social and political power. Individuals who violate these rules are subject to sanctions by state authority, social stigma, and loss of status.

Historic Law The Code of Hammurabi was the first written criminal code, developed in Babylonia about 2000 BC Mosaic Code included the laws of the ancient Israelites found in the Old Testament of the Judeo-Christian Bible Common Law was early English law developed by judges, which became the law of the land in England and eventually formed the basis of criminal law in the U.S.

Contemporary Criminal Law Acts prohibited by criminal laws constitute behaviors considered unacceptable and impermissible by those in power; thus, criminal laws serve a number of social goals

Purposes of Criminal Law

Ethics Major ethical issues in criminological research include: What to study Whom to study How to study