1. Sutherland & Cressy (1960) Criminology is the scientific approach to:
a. the study of criminal behavior
b. society’s reaction to law violations and violators

2. Criminology vs. Criminal Justice
The Study of Agencies Related to the Control of Crime
Criminology
The study of crime trends, nature of crime,theories of crime
Who Cares? Mostly pointy headed academics.

3. Criminology vs. Deviance
Criminology Focuses on Crimes
Crime = violation of criminal law
Deviance Focuses on Violations of Societal Norms
These may or may not also be law violations

4. Criminology as a Discipline
Until recently, (1970s) there was no such thing as a degree in “criminology” or “criminal justice.”
1900s-1970s: Degree in sociology or urban studies (emphasis on crime).
Implication? Sociology dominates.

5. A Crude History of Criminology
Middle Ages
Superstition, religion, and fear
Classical School (1750s-1900)
Utilitarian philosophy of (Becarria)
Free Will, Hedonistic Calculus
Positive School (1900-present)
Bio/psych determinism ( s)
Lombroso’s “Ativism”
Intelligence, Personality

6. Crude History—Part II Sociological theory (1920s-Present)
Durkheim, Merton
Political philosophy (1960s-early 1970s)
(Marx)
Neo-classical (Late 1970s-1990s)
Currently?
Developmental Theory (interdisciplinary)

7. Categories of Contemporary Crime Theory
Psycho-
logical
Theory
Choice
Theory
Biosocial
Theory
Lifecourse
Theory
Criminal Behavior
Conflict
Theory
Social
Process
Theory
Social
Structural
Theory

8. Sub-Areas in the field of Criminology/Criminal Justice
Criminal Statistics (gather/interpret the facts)
Sociology of Law (how and why law changes)
Theory Construction (why people commit crimes)
Penology (prison, rehabilitation, policing)
Victimology (who gets victimized, how?)

9. Differing views on the causes and controls of criminal behavior
Consensus View
Law defines crime; Agreement exists on outlawed behavior
Laws apply to all citizens equally
Conflict view
Law is a tool of the ruling class (to control the underclass)
Crime is a politically defined concept
Interactionist
Moral entrepreneurs define crime
Crimes are illegal because society defines them that way
Criminal labels are life-transforming events

10. Doing Criminology: Types of Research
Survey Research
(cross-sectional research)
Longitudinal
Research
(cohort groups)
Aggregate Data
Research
Experimental
Research
Observational
Research

11. Ethics in research! Political Viewpoints and Criminal Justice
Funding Sources
Political and Social Consequences of Findings/Results