1. CJ 102 Introduction to Criminology

2. 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. 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?

4. Chapter One:
Crime and Criminology

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

6. Schools of Criminological Thought
Classical
Positivist
Sociological
Conflict
Developmental
Contemporary

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

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

14. 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

15. 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

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

17. 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

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

19. 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.

20. 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.

21. 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

22. Purposes of Criminal Law

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