The Theories Of Crime And Criminal Behavior - 2300 Words

Criminology is a science that gathers and analyzes data on various aspects of crime and criminal behavior (Walsh Hemmens 2014). The scientific method often used in criminology, allows theories to be developed that relate to crime. These theories about crime are intended to explain certain crime facts. A theory is a set of logically connected prepositions explaining and predicting a phenomena (Walsh Hemmens 2014). A number of hypotheses can be derived and tested using a developed theory. Thus, these hypotheses can be tested in the criminal justice system. In criminology, examining why people commit crime is very important so that crime can be prevented. Many theories have developed from criminologists that seek to answer questions concerning crime. Often times, the victim of a crime wants to know the reason behind the criminal act. However, it takes many years of analyzing data to develop these theories. One of the theories that has developed is the labelling theory. This essay wi ll contrast the labelling theory, and will show its strengths and weaknesses using various case-studies. The labelling theory is based on the Social Process Theory (Walsh Hemmens). According to the Encyclopedia of Criminology and Criminal Justice social process theories are grouping of criminological theories that aid the explanation of why people engage in criminal behaviors. The social process theories include differential association, social learning theory, social control theory, andShow MoreRelatedThe Theory Of Crime And Criminal Behavior Essay1624 Words   |  7 Pagesour minds. These questions then encourage us, naturally, to search for the answers. This is true in the area of crime and criminal behavior as well. Criminological theory attempts to describe why and how crime transpires by studying the countless social factors that influence someone to commit crimes. These theories are then supposed to explain both the understandings and roots of crime. Abstract outlooks offer an image of what something is and the best way of addressing that particular subject. InRead MoreThe Theories Of Crime And Criminal Behavior1493 Words   |  6 Pagesdrawing up on three different criminological theories and how they can explain crime and criminal behaviour differently. There is no universal definition of crime that gives a simple and straight forward definition. Crime is a constantly changing idea that changes due to the persons perceptions of what they would classify as ‘crime’ and what is regarded as criminal behaviour (crime and criminology). There is also no straightforward way of explaining what criminal behaviour is, as it can be something thatRead MoreCrime And Theory Of Criminal Behavior Essay1920 Words   |  8 PagesCriminality or criminal behaviour has long been the subject of great interest within psychology, captivating the interest of psychologists from all different perspectives (Hollin, 2013; Putwain Sammons, 2013). Due to this, ther e are many approaches to criminality and theories of criminal behaviour that have been supported by empirical evidence, which provide insightful, but different explanations of this psychology phenomenon (Eysenck, 2013; Hollin, 2013; Putwain Sammons, 2013). In spite of thisRead MoreThe Biological And Psychological Theories Of Crime And Criminal Behavior1764 Words   |  8 PagesCrime is adaptation to life stress. It is best understood in terms of the manner in which the individual experiences the biological, psychological and socially determined situations of his existence. (Halleck, 1967, p. 63) The modern police department was born out of urban mob violence that tormented the nation’s cities during the nineteenth century. The new police departments were replacements for the night-watch systems and relegated constables and sheriffs to serving court orders and running jailsRead MoreThe Strain Theory Of Criminal Behavior And Is A Breakdown Of Why People Commit Crimes1633 Word s   |  7 PagesRunning Head: Strain Theory Stain Theory Keisha Harris Valdosta State University The strain theory explains the criminal behavior and is a breakdown of why people commit crimes. The theory was developed by an American Sociologist Robert K. Merton (1910-2003). Merton believed that the society influences deviance and plays a huge role in criminals committing crimes. Emile Durkheim (1858-1957) presented the earliest version of the strain theory. He believed that well-built societiesRead MoreThe Major Theories Of Criminal Behavior And The Impact Of Crime On Victims And Society1580 Words   |  7 PagesPsychology of Human and Criminal Behaviour Describing and Evaluating the Major Theories of Cause of Criminal Behaviour and the Impact of Crime on Victims and Society London Foundation campus 1. Introduction Akers Sellers (2013) noted that there are various common theories that are pertinent to the study of crime as the extents of crime explanations range from the genetic/biological through to the economic and social perspective. Howitt (2012) divided these theories into four categories:Read MoreTheories on Crime1253 Words   |  5 PagesTheories on Crime: The field of criminology is basically described as the study of crime through which the causes, prevention, and correction of offenses are examined. While this process can be extremely difficult, especially for students, the analysis of the causes of crime is significant to sociology and criminology. The difficulties associated with the study of crime originate from the numerous challenges in developing theories that explain human behavior. In relation to crime, human behaviorRead MoreCriminal Behavior And The Criminal Acts1115 Words   |  5 Pagescommit criminal acts. Criminal behavior has been studied for many years and theories have been suggested as to this very topic. Criminal behavior is when an individual commits a criminal act. A criminal act constitutes the violation of breaking the law. Criminal behavior can be linked to many crimes like organized crime along with misdemeanors and felonies (Jones, 2005). Burglaries are no exception when it comes to criminal behavior. Burglaries consist of either violent or non-violent and crimes againstRead MoreEssay on Theory of Criminal Behavior1000 Words   |  4 Pages0 Introduction Crime depicts any act or omission that is prohibited by the public law. On the same note, behavior is a function which has measurable differences in psychological characteristics among individuals (Brennan-Galvin, 2002). Such characteristics may be influenced by constitutional, personality attributes, and neurophysiologic or genetics factors. Likewise, criminal behavior is the commission of acts which in their situational and social settings are considered crimes due to the fact thatRead MoreTheories of Crime Comparison1157 Words   |  5 PagesTheories on Crime Comparison Angelika L. Arnold AJS/542 May 20, 2013 Marcela Morales Theories on Crime Comparison For several years, theorists have come to the conclusion that people commit crimes for several different