criminological theory

Have you completed criminological theory class before? Did you enjoy it? What did you learn from it? Answer is Yes.

2. Identify and explain one of the theories covered in this unit. Why do you think theories evolve and change over time? Do you think some of the criminological theories we currently have will be nonsense in 20 years? Why or why not?

Here is part of the study guide.  Theories of Criminal Mentality Creation Table 5.1 provides seven theoretical schools of thought on criminology, and except for “demonological (study of demons)” and “ecological (geographic)” schools, the remaining five provide a basis for classifying criminal behavior based on one or more of the theoretical schools listed in the right column (Hagan, 2017). Even those remaining schools could lead to analytical dissection; an example would be a closer look at Karl Marx’s school of thought that capitalism, social class inequality, and economic conditions cause crime. Perhaps we must accept there is no one classification that fits all crimes or all criminals, and all humans are not created equal, not in the sense of the U.S. Constitution, but as we are self-thinkers. No two humans think UNIT I STUDY GUIDE Theories of Criminal Behavior , Theory of Crime and Criminology 2 UNIT x STUDY GUIDE Title exactly alike—it would be rather boring to have a friend that thinks exactly as one does. Note that under the classical (neoclassical) theoretical approach, the major concepts of criminality are criminals are rational, hedonistic, and free actors.

Rationalization posits that criminals use logic to justify the commitment of crimes—my company does not pay me enough money; the company has excess money; therefore, I will take some of the company’s money. The hedonist thinks primarily of how to find and enjoy pleasure no matter what crime needs to be committed to achieve the pleasure goal. The concepts of ownership, boundaries, and laws do not deter this criminal.