Introduction to criminology
Introduction to Criminology
Theory
Helps us understand situations, feelings, human behaviour and human interactions.
Thought of as totally speculative
Social scientists observe a phenomenon and draw out what is happening, give it meaning
Social science gives meaning to our lives and allows to predict possible future outcomes
A way to reduce crime record is to de-criminalise certain things
Assumptions prejudices Theories
Theories are tested generalisations and not always ‘true’
No social theory can be proven to be absolutely true
Normative ideas – Ought (whether behaviour is acceptable or not)
Criminalising something comes as a result of an assumption Theory can sometimes be dangerous and wrong
Self-fulfilling prophecy
When you are told a theory, you believe it and when you look at a situation the theory clouds your judgement.
There is nothing that is true
You can never prove a social science theory
Most theories are hypothesis that may or may not be true
Criminology is based on complicated norms
Why certain are certain acts are criminalised
Why the certain methods chosen to enforce them
Why people conform to particular norms or values
Why are people willing to breach particular norms and values
The Classical School http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Age_of_Enlightenment Established idesas of monarchs( claim to get powers from GOD) , feudal lords and the church fathers
Bad behaviour was ‘DEVIL’
Methods of punishment were also of these ideas, trial by battle, trial by ordeal
Punishments became harsher towards the 17th century
Battles fought to resolve dispute and claimed that if won, GOD was with them
Punishment was faith based
Crown made the decision as they were given the right to decide what was right and wrong
By the 18th century, a lot of crimes drew the death sentence and many others, flogging, burning hands,
The new ideas of ‘Enlightenment’ philosophers: Montisque, Rousseau, Thomas Aquinas,
Theory
Helps us understand situations, feelings, human behaviour and human interactions.
Thought of as totally speculative
Social scientists observe a phenomenon and draw out what is happening, give it meaning
Social science gives meaning to our lives and allows to predict possible future outcomes
A way to reduce crime record is to de-criminalise certain things
Assumptions prejudices Theories
Theories are tested generalisations and not always ‘true’
No social theory can be proven to be absolutely true
Normative ideas – Ought (whether behaviour is acceptable or not)
Criminalising something comes as a result of an assumption Theory can sometimes be dangerous and wrong
Self-fulfilling prophecy
When you are told a theory, you believe it and when you look at a situation the theory clouds your judgement.
There is nothing that is true
You can never prove a social science theory
Most theories are hypothesis that may or may not be true
Criminology is based on complicated norms
Why certain are certain acts are criminalised
Why the certain methods chosen to enforce them
Why people conform to particular norms or values
Why are people willing to breach particular norms and values
The Classical School http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Age_of_Enlightenment Established idesas of monarchs( claim to get powers from GOD) , feudal lords and the church fathers
Bad behaviour was ‘DEVIL’
Methods of punishment were also of these ideas, trial by battle, trial by ordeal
Punishments became harsher towards the 17th century
Battles fought to resolve dispute and claimed that if won, GOD was with them
Punishment was faith based
Crown made the decision as they were given the right to decide what was right and wrong
By the 18th century, a lot of crimes drew the death sentence and many others, flogging, burning hands,
The new ideas of ‘Enlightenment’ philosophers: Montisque, Rousseau, Thomas Aquinas,