Instructor's Manual
Criminological Theory: A Brief Introduction 4th Edition
by J. Mitchell Miller, Christopher Schreck
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, Table of Content
1. Theoretical Criminology
2. Classical and Neoclassical Criminology
3. Biosocial Theories of Crime
4. Psychological Theories of Crime
5. Social Ecology of Crime
6. Learning and Cultural Transmission Theories of Crime
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7. Strain Theories of Crime
8. Control Theories of Crime
9. Theories of Social Conflict
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10. Evaluating and Integrating Theory
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Chapter 1
Theoretical Criminology: An Introductory Overview
Chapter Overview:
This chapter begins by defining criminology as focused on the process of
making and breaking laws. It distinguishes criminal justice from criminology
in that the former is more “solutions-oriented” while the latter is more
concerned with the discovery of causes and reasons for committing crime
and theory creation. The authors are quick to point out, however, that
criminal justice practitioners and criminological theorists rely upon one
ST
another to effect change in human behavior. The next section of the chapter
outlines the "evolution" of criminology from the ancient Babylonian Code of
Hammurabi to the current hegemonic status of the sociological perspective
of crime. Therein, the authors note that criminologists often disagree about
the reasons for crime and its relationship to various social problems. Some
U
scholars argue in favor of individual-level explanations of human behavior
(i.e., micro-level theories) while others espouse macro-level explanations of
crime. These macro-level theories typically focus on social ills such as
D
poverty, unemployment, and overall disadvantage. The objective of this
introductory chapter is to "prime" the reader toward the notion that a
variety of theoretical perspectives exist and that all have some bearing on
YL
crime. Some theoretical accounts have competing interests while others are
more complimentary. The authors offer guidance to readers to understand
how one can assess the quality of an individual theory and describe how
quality theories can help create an evidence-base to shape criminal justice
AB
practice and policies in an informed, productive way.
Learning Objectives:
After reading this chapter, the student should be able to:
(1) Understand the origins of criminological theory
(2) Discuss the process of theory construction
(3) Describe how to assess the relative merit of a particular theory on the
grounds of its explanatory value
(4) Explain the possible applicability of criminological theory for criminal
justice practices and policies in a general way
Key Terms:
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Chicago School
Classical School of Criminology
Correlation
Crime Rate
Criminality
Criminology
Determinism
Positivism
Social Contract
Theory
ST
Lecture Outline:
I. Introduction
A. Criminology is focused on the processes of making and breaking laws
B. Criminologists seek to understand the "why" of crime (i.e., why did person
U
A become a criminal but person B did not?) and the causes of crime
C. We know certain “facts” regarding the causes and nature of crime
D. Criminologists observe the realities of crime and try to piece together
D
explanations
a) some look to individual-level explanations
b) others look to macro-level explanations
II. The Origins and Evolution of Criminology
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A. Attention to crime can be traced back to ancient Babylonia and the Code
of Hammurabi as well as in the Judeo-Christian perspective depicted in
the Bible
B. The family-revenge model of justice became dominant during the feudal
era
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a) Trial by battle
i. The victim or victim’s family member would fight the
offender or offender’s family member
b) Trial by ordeal
i. The accused was subject to a test that would determine
his/her innocence (run the gauntlet or dunked in water
while bound with a robe)
C. Spirituality continued to affect interpretations of crime causation
a) Salem Witch Trials-result from belief that crime could be
attributed to witchcraft and demonic possession
b) Emergence of penitentiaries or correctional institutions in
Philadelphia by Quakers who believed that isolation, labor, and
Bible reading would rehabilitate the offender (e.g., spiritual
enlightenment can be a crime solution, just today’s faith-based
approaches)
lkjhgfdsa
Criminological Theory: A Brief Introduction 4th Edition
by J. Mitchell Miller, Christopher Schreck
ST
U
D
YL
AB
, Table of Content
1. Theoretical Criminology
2. Classical and Neoclassical Criminology
3. Biosocial Theories of Crime
4. Psychological Theories of Crime
5. Social Ecology of Crime
6. Learning and Cultural Transmission Theories of Crime
ST
7. Strain Theories of Crime
8. Control Theories of Crime
9. Theories of Social Conflict
U
10. Evaluating and Integrating Theory
D
YL
AB
, jhgfdsa
Chapter 1
Theoretical Criminology: An Introductory Overview
Chapter Overview:
This chapter begins by defining criminology as focused on the process of
making and breaking laws. It distinguishes criminal justice from criminology
in that the former is more “solutions-oriented” while the latter is more
concerned with the discovery of causes and reasons for committing crime
and theory creation. The authors are quick to point out, however, that
criminal justice practitioners and criminological theorists rely upon one
ST
another to effect change in human behavior. The next section of the chapter
outlines the "evolution" of criminology from the ancient Babylonian Code of
Hammurabi to the current hegemonic status of the sociological perspective
of crime. Therein, the authors note that criminologists often disagree about
the reasons for crime and its relationship to various social problems. Some
U
scholars argue in favor of individual-level explanations of human behavior
(i.e., micro-level theories) while others espouse macro-level explanations of
crime. These macro-level theories typically focus on social ills such as
D
poverty, unemployment, and overall disadvantage. The objective of this
introductory chapter is to "prime" the reader toward the notion that a
variety of theoretical perspectives exist and that all have some bearing on
YL
crime. Some theoretical accounts have competing interests while others are
more complimentary. The authors offer guidance to readers to understand
how one can assess the quality of an individual theory and describe how
quality theories can help create an evidence-base to shape criminal justice
AB
practice and policies in an informed, productive way.
Learning Objectives:
After reading this chapter, the student should be able to:
(1) Understand the origins of criminological theory
(2) Discuss the process of theory construction
(3) Describe how to assess the relative merit of a particular theory on the
grounds of its explanatory value
(4) Explain the possible applicability of criminological theory for criminal
justice practices and policies in a general way
Key Terms:
lkjhgfdsa
, jhgfdsa
Chicago School
Classical School of Criminology
Correlation
Crime Rate
Criminality
Criminology
Determinism
Positivism
Social Contract
Theory
ST
Lecture Outline:
I. Introduction
A. Criminology is focused on the processes of making and breaking laws
B. Criminologists seek to understand the "why" of crime (i.e., why did person
U
A become a criminal but person B did not?) and the causes of crime
C. We know certain “facts” regarding the causes and nature of crime
D. Criminologists observe the realities of crime and try to piece together
D
explanations
a) some look to individual-level explanations
b) others look to macro-level explanations
II. The Origins and Evolution of Criminology
YL
A. Attention to crime can be traced back to ancient Babylonia and the Code
of Hammurabi as well as in the Judeo-Christian perspective depicted in
the Bible
B. The family-revenge model of justice became dominant during the feudal
era
AB
a) Trial by battle
i. The victim or victim’s family member would fight the
offender or offender’s family member
b) Trial by ordeal
i. The accused was subject to a test that would determine
his/her innocence (run the gauntlet or dunked in water
while bound with a robe)
C. Spirituality continued to affect interpretations of crime causation
a) Salem Witch Trials-result from belief that crime could be
attributed to witchcraft and demonic possession
b) Emergence of penitentiaries or correctional institutions in
Philadelphia by Quakers who believed that isolation, labor, and
Bible reading would rehabilitate the offender (e.g., spiritual
enlightenment can be a crime solution, just today’s faith-based
approaches)
lkjhgfdsa
