PUBLIC POLICY IMPLICATIONS OF CRIMINOLOGICAL
THEORIES
ADJ 215 Criminology
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INTRODUCTION
Social
Wundt
Comte
Darwin
Structure Theory/Definition/Interpretation
of Crime According to Theory/Summary/Examples
and Results of Public Policy Implications
Social Process Theory/Definition/Interpretation of
Crime According to Theory/Summary/Examples and
Results of Public Policy Implications
Social Conflict Theory/Definition/Interpretation of
Crime According to Theory/Summary/Examples and
Results of Public Policy Implications
Rational Choice Theory/Definition/Interpretation of
Crime According to Theory/Summary/Examples and
Results of Public Policy Implications
Trait Theory/Definition/Interpretation of Crime
According to Theory/Summary/Examples and Results
of Public Policy Implications
Developmental Theory/Definition/Interpretation of
Crime According to Theory/Summary/Examples and
Results of Public Policy Implications
SOCIAL STRUCTURE THEORY
DEFINITION OF THE THEORY/CRIME CAUSATION AS INTERPRETED
ACCORDING THEORY
Social
Disorganization Theory- Emphases on social conditions
Strain Theory- Emphases on conflict between goals and means
Cultural Deviance Theory- Combines the other two theories
According to the Social structure theory is a
theory, people’s places in the Socioeconomic
structure influence their chances of becoming a
criminal
(Siegel, 2006).
Henry McKay & Clifford Shaw
Chicago Area Project
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SOCIAL STRUCTURE
CRIME PREVENTION STRATEGIES /EXAMPLES AND
RESULTS
Food Stamps
Free Medicaid
Low or no rent projects
Cash Benefits
Head start Programs
According to The Social Structure Theory, if
given the opportunity to share in the rewards of
traditional Society, the lower class members of
society can have an alternate to criminal actions.
As per the research, crime rates reduce if lower
class members receive some sort of government
aid, such as an ADC check, free medical, food
stamps, and subsidized Housing. (Siegel, 2006).
SOCIAL STRUCTURE THEORY
SUMMARY OF CRIME PREVENTION STRATEGIES
Sweeping Away
Violent Crimes
For an effort to develop social stability in disorganized
communities, development of crime ridden inter-cities is
theorized to be a preventive measure of minimizing crime.
The Weed & Seed program is intended for regulating and
stopping violent crime and drug abuse in all high crime
locations. The objective of this program is to change crime
areas with community human services after getting rid of the
criminals.
(Siegel, 2006).
Drug Abusers
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SOCIAL PROCESS THEORY
DEFINITION/CRIME CAUSATION AS INTERPRETED ACCORDING TO
THEORY
Hippocrates
Social
Learning- Criminal behaviors, such as
conventional behaviors are learned.
Social Control Theory- A persons behavior mirrors their
feeling for the society.
Labeling Theory- Implies that when a person may act
accordingly to his label.
As per the social process theory, an individuals Interaction with
different organizations and institutions in Society have bearing on
their corruption. (Siegel, 2006).
Labeled(Ex-Con)
Deviant adult
Learned Behaviors
SOCIAL PROCESS THEORY
CRIME PREVENTION
STRATEGIES/EXAMPLES AND RESULTS
The implication is to ensure the criminal that he can avoid becoming
Labeled (as he might possibly be if he went through a criminal trial
that resulted in Conviction) and since he is not being labeled, this
may conclude his Criminal behavior. (Siegel, 2006).
Counseling
Restitution -avoiding trial
Vocational program
Counseling, educational services, packages that provide
work training, offerings for the offender as well as their
own households, etc. are a few examples of policy
implications. Restitution may be offered in lieu of jail
period. These are all examples of stigma-reducing
programs. (Siegel, 2006).
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SOCIAL PROCESS THEORY
SUMMARY OF CRIME PREVENTION METHODS
As per L.J Siegel, the social policies have ben greatly influenced by
social process theories. Both treatment orientations and
community action policies are being controlled by the theories.
(Siegel, 2006)
SOCIAL CONFLICT
DEFINITION/CRIME CAUSATION AS INTERPRETED ACCORDING TO
THEORY
SOCIAL CONFLICT- Individuals and groups (social classes)
within society have differing amounts of material-non
material resources(the wealthy vs. the poor)and that the
more powerful groups use their power in order to exploit
groups with less power.(en.wikipedia.org).
6 figure income
vs.
Minimum wage
Rich woman with social status
vs.
Poor woman with no social status
Income from employment
vs.
Public Assistance
GED VS. College degree
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SOCIAL CONFLICT THEORY
SUMMARY OF CRIME PREVENTION STRATEGIES
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SOCIAL CONFLICT THEORY
SUMMARY OF CRIME PREVENTION METHODS
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THE TRAIT THEORY
DEFINITION OF THEORY/CRIME CAUSATION ACCORDING
TO
THEORY
Psychodynamic
Theory –This theory states that a
person’s criminal behavior is a result from
unconscious motivations during his early
childhood..
Behavioral
The theory states that an individual’s
learned experiences affects the development of
their actions..
Cognitive
Theory- According to theory, those who
are prone to crime may possibly have cognitive
deficits.
(Siegel, 2006)
TRAIT THEORY
CRIME PREVENTION STRATEGIES/EXAMPLES AND RESULTS
Psychoanalysis
According to the public policy, a society can be protected from
the untreatable if the biological affect is controlled. Therapeutic
intervention, like psychoanalysis and group therapy, are
considered to be preventative methods.
(Siegel,
2006).
Group counseling
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TRAIT THEORY
SUMMARY
OF
CRIME PREVENTION STRATEGIES
The way someone perceives society, and the way
he/she functions upon his/her unusual feelings and
concepts, all these play a role in person’s behavior.
These are considered as the aspects of biochemical
factors, psychological traits, neuropsychological
factors, and genetic traits. (Siegel, 2006).
RATIONAL CHOICE
DEFINITION OF THEORY/CRIME CAUSATION AS INTERPRETED
ACCORDING TO THEORY
According to the rational choice public policy, if crime
is logical and people choose to commit crime, then it can
be followed by the notion that crime can be prohibited
or even exterminated by convincing possible offenders,
and conveying that crime is really a bad option, and will
not deliver any benefits but painful problems, and
deprivation instead. (Siegel, 2006).
Right Choices
Wrong Choices
RATIONAL CHOICE
CRIME PREVENTION STRATEGIES /EXAMPLES AND RESULTS
The rational choice public policy states that “If
crime is rational and people choose to commit
crime, then
it follows that crime can be controlled or
eradicated by
convincing potential offenders that crime is a
poor choice
that will not bring rewards ,but pain hardship,
and
deprivation instead” (Siegel, 2006).
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RATIONAL CHOICE THEORY
SUMMARY OF CRIME PREVENTION STRATEGIES
According to rational choice theory, crime and
punishment should be relational.
DEVELOPMENTAL THEORY
DEFINITION OF THEORY/CRIME CAUSATION AS INTERPRETED
ACCORDING TO THEORY
This particular Developmental concept states
that a person’s criminal actions are stemmed
from their growth of personality starting right
from the time of their birth.
Latent Trait View: The theory says that Genetic abnormalities,
impulsive personalities, and also the damaged personalities can be the
reasons behind an individual’s criminal behavior.
Human Nature Theory-This theory suggests that an individuals”genetic
Make-up,intelligence and body build may outweigh the importance of
Social variables as predictors of criminal activity”(O’Connor,20002008).
DEVELOPMENTAL THEORY
CRIME PREVENTION STRATEGIES/EXAMPLES AND RESULTS
An example of a crime prevention strategy
for the theory is that the particular person
requires altering or adding structure to
their life, like becoming a member of the
military, getting married, going away to
varsity, and so on. Researches have found
that when individuals get married, it
changes their perception of life. Due to
new added structure they will not have
time or a need to engage in the criminal
practices they were formerly engaged
in.(Survey of CJ).
DEVELOPMENTAL THEORY
SUMMARY OF CRIME PREVENTION STRATEGIES
The theory talks about an evaluation of the way
criminal law is applied just like a method of social
control; and it also demonstrates the way power
relations create inequities in the U.S. (Siegel, 2006).
CONCLUSION
BLUMER.T.(OCTOBER 17, 2007).WELFARE ROLLS STILL PLUNGING AFTER ALL
THESE YEARS AND STILL UNDERREPORTED.RETRIEVED AUGUST 10, 2008 FROM
HTTP://WWW.BLOG.CLEVELAND.COM
CRIME THEORY.RETRIEVED--FROM
HTTP:/WWW.LEJS.COM/SURVEY_OF_CJ/CH03.HTM
ENWIKIPEDIA.ORG/WIKI/SOCIAL_CONFLICT_THEORY
HTTP://WWW.IMAGES.SEARCH.YAHOO.COM
HTTP:/WWW.SEARCH.LIVE.COM
O’CONNOR.T.(2006).CRIMINOLOGY THEORIES.RETRIEVED FROM
HTTP://WWW.APSU.EDU/O'CONNOR/CRIMINOLOGY.HTM#UNITS
SIEGEL L.J.(2006).CRIMINOLOGY(9TH ED).BELMONT,CA:THOMSON