Criminological Theories Essays (Examples)

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Therefore, in response to criminal actions, the rules and laws of a system are developed. It is their presence that represents the glue of the social parts.
One shortcoming of this theory however is the fact that it cannot explain the motivation behind the actual existence of criminal behavior. It tends to perceive the society as a whole, through statistics and factual dates and tries to predict its evolution. Durkheim notes that the continuous existence of the phenomenon is attributed the need of the society for the eventual contribution to the definition of that community. According to him, crimes have a concrete role, as opposed to other theories which fight against such attributions. Thus, identifying criminals draws the limit of correct behavior, by exerting severe punishment; there is a clear notion of the most valuable values in the respective society. Moreover, criminal activities often result in the change of certain….

Criminological Theories Application
A number of researches have been done on criminological theories. An example of criminological theory that has received a lot of attention over a couple of years ago is social disorganization theory. This theory attributes variation in crime and delinquency to absence or breakdown of communal institutions like family, school, church, and local government. The theory also attributes crime to communal relationships that traditionally encourage cooperative relationships among people. The concept is tied to conceptions of those properties of relationships indicative of social organization. People residing in a given territory are thought to have organized relationships. This is enforced by representatives of communal institutions like family heads, pastors, school organizations, and local officials. The organized interactions are closely associated with development of communal bonds among people in small ecological units (Voss & Peterson, 1971).

The New York City has had its own share of criminal challenges. Being a port….

Criminological Theories and Their Application
Character History

Nikita Voronov was born in Omsk, ussia in 1977 to a 17-year-old mother named Natasha Voronov. She had gotten pregnant with him after dating a man for one month, another ussian male who was working in the mining area at the time. Once Natasha became pregnant she never saw the father of her child again who fled the town. Desiring a better life for her child, rather than the dreariness and isolation of Omsk, Natasha immigrated to Brooklyn, NY ten years later where she had some relatives living in the Coney Island neighborhood. Nikita struggled to learn English and often felt teased and isolated from the other kids at school who made fun of the fact that he couldn't communicate well with them. This led to Nikita learning how to take out his anger and aggression through violence and fighting, something that Nikita did a….

Social Control Theory of Juvenile Delinquency
Underlying Assumptions

Travis Hirschi's Social Control theory of deviance assumes that deviant behavior is largely a function of the connectedness of the individual to his or her society; more specifically, Hirschi's assumptions are that juvenile delinquency, and criminal deviance more generally, are inversely related to the following elements of connectedness between the individual and the community: involvement, commitment, attachment, and belief (Akers & Sellers, 2004; Huebner & Betts, 2002).

Structure of Theory

Hirschi used the concept of involvement to describe the manner and extent to which the individuals takes part in the so-called "conventional" activities, such as extracurricular school functions and other organized opportunities for socially productive youth recreation available in the community (Macionis, 2008). Hirschi used the concept of commitment, to describe the basic "acceptance" in the most general senses, of fundamental social and behavioral norms, values, and expectations in the individual's community and society. Hirschi referred….

Theory and Its Evaluation
PAGES 4 WORDS 1208

Theoretical Evaluation
Theory Evaluation

The initial modern clarification of crime is known as "classical hypothesis" (Cullen and Agnew 2011). This hypothesis was produced in response to the malefic, irrational, and barbaric frameworks of criminal equity that existed in Europe in the 1700s. The laws were frequently arbitrary; judges were corrupt; penal awards for the same wrongdoing varied broadly; and disciplines were at times very cruel, causative of extreme physical abuse and often resulting in death. Classical Theorists needed to supplant the framework with one that was more viable and just. They contended that individuals are balanced creatures who seek after their own particular pursuits, endeavoring to amplify their pleasure and minimize their unhappiness. Individuals decide to indulge in wrongdoing when they accept that it will bring more joy than agony, As such, the most ideal approach to control wrongdoing is to guarantee that the torment of penal awards exceeds the delight gained….

Whereas atavists may commit crimes due to their physiological attributes, "passionate criminals" engage crimes of their own make (C. Bartol & a. Bartol, 2006).
The first advantage in the Lambroso theory lies in the physicality of determining criminal. The attributes that underlines atavists may trigger a trend of caution while dealing with people with the characteristics given. This precaution trend may lessen crime in instances where early detection is done through careful handling of the atavists. With the understanding that physical attributes may relate to chances of committing crimes, reform campaigns may get directed to this group of people to enhance secure communities.

Another advantage arises from the understanding that in communities where crime rates occur at an all-time high, more people tend to commit crimes due to the influence of the adverse environment they live in. In trying to fit into society, people relate with one another. If situations arise….

Criminal Justice Theory
PAGES 7 WORDS 2525

Criminal Justice Theory and the Los Angeles County Probation Department
Criminal and antisocial behaviors have been studied in the field of criminology for many years. Criminologists are very interested to learn what types of things cause specific criminal and antisocial behaviors. hile criminal behavior and antisocial behavior are not always related, they often have close ties. Criminologists and other researchers are looking to find commonalities between certain genetic makeups and deviant behavior. They believe that many people are genetically predisposed to be violent, and if these people can be located they can be treated.

That does not mean that criminologists are in favor of testing everyone's genetic makeup on the planet to see if any of them show violent tendencies. hat they are interested in doing, however, is studying criminals who already have a history of violent and deviant behavior to see what other traits they have, and what their genetic makeup….

A more long-range vision related to a transformation of drug laws will also prevent the staggering numbers of women who encounter the criminal justice system. Theories related to role integration can inform programs designed for role modeling and coaching, which will go a long way toward promoting future community and personal health.
eferences

Bloom, B., Owen, B. & Covington, S. (2004). Women offenders and the gendered effects of public policy. eview of Public Policy esearch 21(1). etrieved online: https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:Qx8Zf7qTlCYJ:cooley.libarts.wsu.edu/schwartj/pdf/bloom.pdf+&hl=en&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEESjdkZ0qzVgoMeOkxN_ylkKlthKinOficQx_QNfbXxiJnSWFVpcexlY4fekDBrNW1TsKK3OTVz8Ph7PJqqIW8P6AZ7_3DHeLLBqZfwdT75GFga8yw-dfyDDPE77wwcsok_ced&sig=AHIEtbOjWa5vU-Cordw1sOx2rrIhPJcQ

Bonta, J., Pang, B. & Wallace-Capretta, S. (1995). Predictors of recidivism among incarcerated female offenders. The Prison Journal 75(3): 277-294.

Covington, S.S. (1998). The relational theory of women's psychological development: Implications for the criminal justice system. etrieved online: https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:IzpJVCQisyAJ:www.stephaniecovington.com/pdfs/14.pdf+&hl=en&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEEShMi1zxp51XEKWScZuXra2PExdCe99H2YYt3cvPUtvm8vYxswqFa9zAHjEgCYKYzfl83Y6rf-alcMjCF8eD565m1fscAianN1Z9uwImmqDiZqQYnHrrsxZ5rNWaNyxr22BOr&sig=AHIEtbSWo_ivZrhu-c4vlIUDHqnfiObow

Covington, S.S. (1998). Women in prison. etrieved online: https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:_XJIn_-dwTYJ:www.stephaniecovington.com/pdfs/15.pdf+&hl=en&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEESjOFr-tbjzcD1I16sbZX07sDOIfzDJCXkS-WCIXPp4JwiDQ2992lXvuillpAs-T2H-ksCWaLiQhc_Shx7bBKFqNdZKqc53vsmHniit_M2WGmxnvQIyXT7mZjpzQnTNzEFtpjB&sig=AHIEtbeyTi4bj3vJxT_gcvCOy1Q5-QIZA

Fletcher, B.., Shaver, L.D. & Moon, D.G (1993). Women Prisoners: A forgotten population. Westport, CT: Praeger.

Martinez, D.J. (2010). ole accumulation theory and prisoner integration. Probation Journal 57(2): 139-151.

Proctor,….

Sociological Theories of Crime
There are a number of respected sociological theories of crime and criminality, and in this paper four of those theories -- social control theory, strain theory, differential association theory and neutralization theory -- will be reviewed in terms of their strengths and weaknesses. Also, of the theories discussed, one or more will be referenced in terms of the relevance to a recently convicted offender.

Social Control Theory

According to professor Larry Siegel social control theories put forward the notion that everyone has the potential to become a law-breaker, and the society offers multiple opportunities for illegal activity. The attraction for some people to deal drugs or steal cars, Siegel explains, is that there is "…the promise of immediate reward and gratification" (Siegel, 2011, p. 248). And so, Siegel continues, given the attraction of crime for many, and the benefits for some, his question is: why do people obey the….

deviance and criminal behavior can result from people feeling disconnected from their school and home situation. This backs up the control theory, which posits that with less control -- or weak bonds -- behavior can and does become deviant and even criminal later in life.
Control Theory -- Narrative Explanations

In his narratives on delinquency, Travis Hirschi, one of the most prominent theorists when it comes to control theories, said there are four variables that help explain why people either conform to, or deviate from social norms. And this is important because delinquents are often caught up in criminal activities later in life. In the process of deviating from socially respectable behaviors -- and in the extreme, becoming involved in crime -- people are just reacting to four variables, Hirschi explains. The four are: a) attachment (with parents, peers, teachers, and others); b) commitment (this is what a person must consider….

Certainly, the reason that some individuals become criminals has to do with biological predisposition, particularly in the case of many crimes of violence. On the other hand, circumstances, greed, desperation, and opportunity also play an undeniable role in many crimes. Social class and exposure to deviant subcultures also contributes to criminal behavior (Henslin, 2002; Macionis, 2003), but even so, those risk factors do not affect everyone the same; therefore, those approaches also fail to explain crime in many cases (Henslin, 2002; Macionis, 2003).
In some ways, the recent occurrences involving ernard Madoff and several other high profile white collar criminals do not seem to fit any of the traditional criminological theories other than rational choice and possibly psychological disorder. These perpetrators were already the recipients of the considerable benefits of social class and opportunity and were already wealthy even by contemporary American definitions of wealth before resorting to crime to….

Criminal Justice Theories
Drift theory suggests that people drift from one extreme to another during the course of their lifetimes. When applied in the context of criminal justice, it reflects the idea that people drift between conventional and criminal behaviors. After a crime is committed, the individual may balance that criminality by drifting back towards conventional behavior. In this way, criminality is partly chosen, but also partly determined, because the willingness to commit a crime comes with preparation and desperation. Preparation does not imply that the person has actively prepared to engage in criminal behavior but that the person has placed himself in a position where it is possible to commit a crime. Fatalism contributes to drift, with people being more likely to commit crimes when they feel as if their options have been limited and that they lack control. Furthermore, with drift comes an underlying sense of injustice, so that….

Theoretical Analysis: Julian otter Social Learning Theory Including Locust ControlBackground: Historical OverviewJulian otter was born in 1916 in Brooklyn, New York as the third son of Jewish immigrant parents (Walker, 1991). otters father had a successful business that was negatively impacted by the great depression. It was due to the great depression that otter became aware of social injustice and the impact of the situation environment on individuals. otters interest in psychology started in high school when he began reading Adler and Freud books. While in Brooklyn College, otter attended seminars given by Adler and attended meetings of Adlers Society of Individual Psychology held in Adlers home. otter attended the University of Iowa after graduating from Brooklyn College. He took classes together with Kurt Lewin and minored in speech pathology. otter studied with the semanticist Wendell Johnson whose ideas had a lasting impact on otters thinking regarding the necessity for….


Biological explanations, in contrast to fair and severe punishment as advocated by classical theorists, stress the need for institutionalization and psychological and medical treatment for the 'ill,' but they also offers what seems like a defeatist attitude towards the improvement of the criminal, as the criminal has no rational choice in his or her behavior. The presumption is that irrationally generated behavior cannot be conditioned out of the individual through incarceration, and criminality must be treated like an illness, although opinions differ as to the best way to go about treating the individual so the criminal is 'cured' of the crime, or if a cure is even possible.

However, biosocial theories suggest that society plays an important role in causing crime, such as social learning theory: "Some children are raised in families in which violence is used as a means to achieve desires. Abusive parents model to their children that violent….

Hirschi's Social Bond Theory
Hirschi's social bonding theory argues that those persons who strong and abiding attachments to conventional society are less likely to deviate than persons who have shallow or weak bonds (Smangs, 2010). These bonds come in four interrelated forms, the first of which is attachment. Attachment, refers to the level of psychological affection one has for pro-social others and institutions. Parents and schools are of critical importance in this regard. Youths who form close attachments to their parents1 and schools will, by extension, experience greater levels of social control. The second type of bond is referred to as commitment. Commitment stresses the importance of the social relationships that people value, which they would not want to risk jeopardizing by committing criminal or deviant acts. People are less likely to misbehave when they know that they have something to lose. For juveniles, this could mean not wanting to look….

I. Introduction
A. Background information on ethical issues
B. Overview of criminological theories
C. Thesis statement

II. Ethical issues in criminology
A. Definition of ethics in criminology
B. Ethical dilemmas faced by criminologists
C. Importance of ethical considerations in research and practice

III. Criminological theories
A. Overview of classical criminology
B. Description of biological theories
C. Explanation of psychological theories
D. Introduction to sociological theories

IV. Ethical issues in relation to criminological theories
A. Ethical implications of classical criminology
B. Moral concerns of biological theories
C. Ethical considerations of psychological theories
D. Social implications of sociological theories

V. Case studies on ethical issues and....

Essay Outline: Ethical Issues and Criminological Theories

I. Introduction
A. Overview of the relationship between criminological theories and ethics
B. Thesis statement: Ethical issues can arise when criminological theories are used to explain and respond to crime

II. Ethical Issues in Criminological Research
A. Consent and confidentiality
1. Protecting the rights of research participants
2. Balancing the need for research with the privacy of individuals
B. Bias and objectivity
1. The influence of researchers' values and beliefs on their work
2. The importance of minimizing bias in criminological research
C. Data collection and interpretation
1. Ethical considerations in collecting and using data....

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6 Pages
Term Paper

Criminal Justice

Criminological Theories Criminology Theories Have

Words: 2014
Length: 6 Pages
Type: Term Paper

Therefore, in response to criminal actions, the rules and laws of a system are developed. It is their presence that represents the glue of the social parts. One shortcoming…

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2 Pages
Essay

Criminal Justice

Criminological Theories Application a Number of Researches

Words: 599
Length: 2 Pages
Type: Essay

Criminological Theories Application A number of researches have been done on criminological theories. An example of criminological theory that has received a lot of attention over a couple of years…

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13 Pages
Essay

Criminal Justice

Criminological Theories and How They Apply to a Fictional Characters Life

Words: 4431
Length: 13 Pages
Type: Essay

Criminological Theories and Their Application Character History Nikita Voronov was born in Omsk, ussia in 1977 to a 17-year-old mother named Natasha Voronov. She had gotten pregnant with him after dating…

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3 Pages
Term Paper

Sociology

Theory Based on the Factors That Leads to Juvenile Delinquency

Words: 1004
Length: 3 Pages
Type: Term Paper

Social Control Theory of Juvenile Delinquency Underlying Assumptions Travis Hirschi's Social Control theory of deviance assumes that deviant behavior is largely a function of the connectedness of the individual to his…

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4 Pages
Essay

Criminal Justice

Theory and Its Evaluation

Words: 1208
Length: 4 Pages
Type: Essay

Theoretical Evaluation Theory Evaluation The initial modern clarification of crime is known as "classical hypothesis" (Cullen and Agnew 2011). This hypothesis was produced in response to the malefic, irrational, and barbaric…

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3 Pages
Essay

Criminal Justice

Biological and Psychological Theory of

Words: 922
Length: 3 Pages
Type: Essay

Whereas atavists may commit crimes due to their physiological attributes, "passionate criminals" engage crimes of their own make (C. Bartol & a. Bartol, 2006). The first advantage in the…

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7 Pages
Term Paper

Criminal Justice

Criminal Justice Theory

Words: 2525
Length: 7 Pages
Type: Term Paper

Criminal Justice Theory and the Los Angeles County Probation Department Criminal and antisocial behaviors have been studied in the field of criminology for many years. Criminologists are very interested to…

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5 Pages
Term Paper

Criminal Justice

Conference Theories to Support Conference

Words: 1609
Length: 5 Pages
Type: Term Paper

A more long-range vision related to a transformation of drug laws will also prevent the staggering numbers of women who encounter the criminal justice system. Theories related to…

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4 Pages
Essay

Criminal Justice

Sociological Theories of Crime There Are a

Words: 1298
Length: 4 Pages
Type: Essay

Sociological Theories of Crime There are a number of respected sociological theories of crime and criminality, and in this paper four of those theories -- social control theory, strain theory,…

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2 Pages
Research Paper

Sociology

How the Control Theory Works in Criminology

Words: 720
Length: 2 Pages
Type: Research Paper

deviance and criminal behavior can result from people feeling disconnected from their school and home situation. This backs up the control theory, which posits that with less control…

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2 Pages
Essay

Criminal Justice

Criminology - Theory Understanding Crime

Words: 561
Length: 2 Pages
Type: Essay

Certainly, the reason that some individuals become criminals has to do with biological predisposition, particularly in the case of many crimes of violence. On the other hand, circumstances,…

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2 Pages
Term Paper

Criminal Justice

Criminal Justice Theories Drift Theory Suggests That

Words: 675
Length: 2 Pages
Type: Term Paper

Criminal Justice Theories Drift theory suggests that people drift from one extreme to another during the course of their lifetimes. When applied in the context of criminal justice, it reflects…

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17 Pages
Research Paper

Psychology - Theories

The Impact of Social Learning Theory

Words: 5230
Length: 17 Pages
Type: Research Paper

Theoretical Analysis: Julian otter Social Learning Theory Including Locust ControlBackground: Historical OverviewJulian otter was born in 1916 in Brooklyn, New York as the third son of Jewish immigrant parents…

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4 Pages
Term Paper

Criminal Justice

Biological Biosocial Classical Theories Biological

Words: 1318
Length: 4 Pages
Type: Term Paper

Biological explanations, in contrast to fair and severe punishment as advocated by classical theorists, stress the need for institutionalization and psychological and medical treatment for the 'ill,' but they…

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2 Pages
Essay

Sociology

Hirschis Social Bond Theory and Its Impact on the Juvenile Justice System

Words: 947
Length: 2 Pages
Type: Essay

Hirschi's Social Bond Theory Hirschi's social bonding theory argues that those persons who strong and abiding attachments to conventional society are less likely to deviate than persons who have shallow…

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