Study Papers for First Midterm
Criminological Theories I – Midterm 1
Chapter 1: Introduction to Theory
-Theory meets two criteria: (1) the use of objective evidence and systematic observation (2) a rational explanation of that evidence
-Theories about the effect of social structure on crime rates are abstract
-Theories allow us to develop and test potential solutions to problems we encounter in life
-Theories explain how two or more events are related to each other and how the conditions under which the relationship takes place
-Systematic observation: observation made through the use of certain rules
-A good theory: one that can be tested and that best fits the evidence of research
- Criteria for the utility of a theory: logical soundness (means that the theory does not propose illogical relationships, and that it is internally consistent), the ability to make sense out of several conflicting positions (means that evidence seems to indicate that there are two or more opposing facts, a theory that can reconcile those facts is a good one and is better than having different theories to account for each fact), and sensitizing ability (refers to focusing people’s attention on a new, or even forgotten, direction of inquiry, or perhaps suggesting a different way of looking at and interpreting a fact they already know)
-Popularity is an indicator of a good theory
*Kinds of theories: -unit theories: emphasize a particular problem and make testable assertions of that problem -metatheories: rarely testable and best viewed as ways of looking and interpreting reality (“theories about theories”) -macrotheories: broad in their scope, and explain social structure and its effects. They focus on rates of crime (epidemiology) -microtheories: a particular way of characterizing society; characterization is then used to explain how people become criminals (etiology). Focus may be on small specific groups of people or the individual -bridging theories: attempt to tell us both how social
Chapter 1: Introduction to Theory
-Theory meets two criteria: (1) the use of objective evidence and systematic observation (2) a rational explanation of that evidence
-Theories about the effect of social structure on crime rates are abstract
-Theories allow us to develop and test potential solutions to problems we encounter in life
-Theories explain how two or more events are related to each other and how the conditions under which the relationship takes place
-Systematic observation: observation made through the use of certain rules
-A good theory: one that can be tested and that best fits the evidence of research
- Criteria for the utility of a theory: logical soundness (means that the theory does not propose illogical relationships, and that it is internally consistent), the ability to make sense out of several conflicting positions (means that evidence seems to indicate that there are two or more opposing facts, a theory that can reconcile those facts is a good one and is better than having different theories to account for each fact), and sensitizing ability (refers to focusing people’s attention on a new, or even forgotten, direction of inquiry, or perhaps suggesting a different way of looking at and interpreting a fact they already know)
-Popularity is an indicator of a good theory
*Kinds of theories: -unit theories: emphasize a particular problem and make testable assertions of that problem -metatheories: rarely testable and best viewed as ways of looking and interpreting reality (“theories about theories”) -macrotheories: broad in their scope, and explain social structure and its effects. They focus on rates of crime (epidemiology) -microtheories: a particular way of characterizing society; characterization is then used to explain how people become criminals (etiology). Focus may be on small specific groups of people or the individual -bridging theories: attempt to tell us both how social