Summary Criminology minor full study guide (theories, definitions, pros and cons)

Nour Khalifa



Criminology Study Guide

*multidisciplinary social science (define, understand, control, prevent)
*study of crime, criminals and criminal justice system


What is crime according to criminologists?

Legalistic Violation of criminal law
Edwin Sutherland (Symbolic White collar, financially motivated
interactionalist)
Differential association Social interaction —> motives
Paul Toppen State defines crime
Howard Bekker (labelling) Labelled by social norms
Herman & Julia Human + nature rights
William Chambiss State organized crime
David Friedish Anything harmful= crime/ despite recognition by laws
Social harm How much harm it causes
Legalistic beyond criminal Civil/ administrative penalty (corporate crime)
Social constructivist Labelled by state/ society- not necessarily attract penalty




Adrianesson et al.
- Moral wrongfulness—> then potential harm caused
- Context decides
- Reflect interest of those in charge (corporate crime)




Theories of crime overview

, Nour Khalifa


Biological Theories Choice Theories
1) Positivist school of criminology 1) Classical school of criminology
2) Environmental criminology
 RAT
 RCT
 SCP
Sociological Theories
1) Strain
 Classic and general strain theory
2) Social leaning and subculture
 Differential association
 Subculture theory
3) Control
 Bonds and social control
 Techniques of neutralization
4) The city
 Zonal hypothesis
 Social disorganization




Key Ideas

Labelling Conflict
1) Outsiders (Becker) 1) (Neo)Marxism
2) Moral panic (cohen) 2) Critical criminology
3) Primary and secondary deviance (lemert) 3) Left realism
Social change
1) Globalization
2) Late modernity VS. Post modernity