CriminologyCriminology and Crime Notes:

A brief overview

What is Criminology?I. Criminology

A. The scientific approach to studying criminal behavior.

An interdisciplinary science that seeks to explain the causes, extent, and nature of crime in society.

1. Individual and societal causes of crime (sociological and psychological)

2. Incidence and forms of crime (statistics)

3. The definition of crime in terms of law (legal)

4. Reaction toward law breaking (punishment and rehabilitation) 

What is Criminology?

B. Closely related to the field of criminal justice, which is the study of agencies of social control that handle criminal offenders.

Why is crime so riveting?

·According to Maslow’s “Hierarchy of Needs”, feeling safe is our most important need after our basic physiological needs for air, water, and food.

Why do we pay so much attention to crime?

Why is crime so riveting?·Or, in a darker view, we are filled with repressed criminal impulses and we seek a vicarious outlet for our aggression…

·There are many other explanations, but whatever the case, our view of the nature and extent of crime is often distorted by news reports, TV, and movies. It is everywhere in the media, and we can’t get enough!

http://www.newsweek.com/2009/07/31/true-crime.html

How is crime portrayed in the media (TV/movies/news)?

Criminals?

Victims?

Criminal justice system?

II. Crime

A. Definition: A wrong against society proclaimed by law and, if committed under certain circumstances, punishable by society.

Remember:As society changes, what is defined as a crime changes.

B. Two Models of Crime 1. Consensus Model--People agree on basic norms and values. Those who break them must be sanctioned. Laws set

boundaries for acceptable behavior within the society.

2. Conflict Model—There are different value systems and norms between groups. The most powerful group imposes its definition of crime on the rest, and the justice system primarily serves them and reinforces their power.

C. Crime vs. Deviance1. Deviance is abnormal behavior2. Not all deviance is criminal.

3. And not all crime is deviant behavior.

D. Types of Crime1. Violent Crime--crimes against

persons2. Property Crime3. Public Order Crime--contrary to

moral values

4. White Collar Crime--Business related

5. Organized Crime--illegal acts by illegal organizations

6. High Tech Crime

What types of crimes are these?

Murder

Grand Theft Auto

Arson

Vandalism

Bank Robbery

Prostitution

Bribery

Assault

Illegal Gambling Operations (Bookmaking)

Embezzlement Credit Card

Fraud

Public Drunkenness

III. The Criminal Justice SystemA. Purposes 1. Control Crime 2. Prevent Crime 3. To provide and maintain

justice B. Organization 1. Local law enforcement

2. State and federal law enforcement 3. Courts 4. Corrections

C. Ideologies: Crime Control (Punish) vs. Due Process (Protect)

1. Informal justice system