Theories, Patterns and Typologies of Criminology - Essay Example

You're 13-Jan-12 Criminology Introduction This paper shall discuss why the crime rate in the United s had increased duringthe 1980's and decreased during the 1990's. It shall also consider what types of crimes increased and what types of individuals experienced the greatest increases in rates of crime. Lastly the paper shall analyze what sociological or criminological theories adequately explain these trends. Criminology is the scientific study of crime and criminals vis-'-vis society. To know more about crimes they have to be measured and recorded. Measuring crime and Criminal Behavior is one of the most important functions of criminology. The availability and computing of crime statistics is a vital component of law enforcement. Crime statistics provide us with important facts that theories must then explain. During the increased crime rate of USA during 1980s, the criminologist's strugged to justify the unexplained increase in crime rate throughout the nation. However, during 1990s the same country experienced a reduction in the crime rate and thus it is now essential for criminologists to discover the root causes of crime in order to understand this trend. The who, when, where, how of crimes is addressed by the quantitative techniques of measuring crime and which are vital in answering the why of crimes. Measuring criminal behavior is not just an academic exercise in futility, for it can fruitfully be used in evaluating criminal justice policy initiatives, policing, judicial and correctional administration amongst various other uses. Siegel, (183-227) believed that criminal behavior was a function of the human ability to choose an individual course of action. Psychological theories of crime which justify the reduction in crime rate during 1990s began with the view that individual differences in behavior may make some people more predisposed to committing criminal acts. These differences may arise from personality characteristics, biological factors, or social interactions. There are many other theories that attempt to explain criminal behavior, but that is beyond the scope of this essay. Now, having learnt about crime and criminology, it is now necessary to throw some light on the root causes of crime. Discussion Although there were several specific crimes which were on the rise during the increased crime rate of 1980s, those crimes experienced a reduction during 1990s. However, while interest in crime has always been high, understanding of why it occurs and what to do about it has always been a problem. Public officials, politicians and 'experts' offer simple and incomplete solutions for obliterating crime, whereas academe invariably offers abstract interpretations and suggestions that often have little practical value. As in most areas of human behavior, there is no shortage of experts but there are very few effective solutions (American Journal of Sociology, 3920-4259) According to Siegel (183-227) criminologists studying the trend of crime rate in USA during 1980s and 1990s have rarely shown interest in the aspect of situational crime prevention. Criminologists develop theories and conduct research to understand and explain criminal behavior. A theory attempts to make sense out of many disparate observations (or facts) by stating a general principal that connects, integrates and explains them. A good theory is extremely valuable in that it extends our knowledge beyond the facts in front of us (the raw data), enabling us to predict how others might behave at another time and in another place (Ojp.usdoj.gov, 2007). Criminological theories based on biology, psychology were both, at one stage dominant in the field; however the vast majority of current criminological text employs sociological theory and research. Biological and psychological explanations will be examined in the following essay; however there will be a focus on sociological theory. It has been said that a theory of criminal conduct is weak indeed if it is uninformed by a general psychology of human behavior (Ojp.usdoj.gov, 2007). Psychological theories which justify the increase of crime rate in USA during 1980s share several similarities with the views presented by the American Journal of Sociology. Firstly, they see criminals as different from the population as a whole. Second, the criminal is abnormal in a normal population. Third, the criminal's abnormality predisposes him to crime (American Journal of Sociology, 3920-4259). However, they differ in the respect that psychological theories of criminality claim that the criminal's abnormality is learned as opposed to being genetically determined. They see abnormal experience rather than abnormal genes as the basis for crime. (Ojp.usdoj.gov, 2007). It is proposed that this 'abnormal experience' produces character defects and maladjusted personalities (American Journal of Sociology, 3920-4259). Psychological theories often suggest that something has gone wrong in the socialization process, usually in the mother-child relationship. This defective socialization involves emotional disturbance which leads to the formation of maladjusted personality traits. Early childhood experience, it is claimed, can have a lasting effect on adolescent and adult behavior (Siegel, 183-227). This was a view held by Siegel. He maintained that children needed emotional security during the first seven years of their lives, which was most effectively provided by a close, loving, intimate relationship with the natural mother. If a child was deprived of motherly love during its first seven years, a psychopathic personality could develop. (American Journal of Sociology, 3920-4259). In the nineteenth century and for most of the twentieth, attempts to understand and explain crime were for a long time dominated by (the aforementioned) biological and psychological explanations. (Ojp.usdoj.gov, 2007). Sociological criminology examines the relationships of demographic and group variables to crime (Siegel, 183-227). These variables, such as age, race, gender, socioeconomic status, interpersonal relationships and ethnic-cultural affiliation have been shown to have significant relationships with certain categories and patterns of crimes. Sociological criminology for example has allowed us to conclude that during the 1980s, young African American males from disadvantaged backgrounds were disproportionately overrepresented as perpetrators and victims of homicide (American Journal of Sociology, 3920-4259). It differs from psychological criminology which justifies the increase of crime rate in USA during 1980s in the respect that sociological criminology focuses on groups and society as a whole, whereas psychological criminology focuses on individual criminal behavior (Siegel, 183-227). Conclusion From the above discussion, it can be said that the actual reason for the sudden increase in the crime rate in USA during 1980s is normally linked to the situation in which those acts were committed. The criminological theories point to the human mind and its thought processes as the probable reasons behind the commission of a crime. However, during the 1990s the lower crime rate has been attributed to the most liberal interpretation of situation prevention is not acceptable, one cannot deny its existence and the role it plays in the commission of any kind of crime. The modus operandi of committing the crime depends upon the situation in which the offender is placed. It all boils down to the social and psychological surroundings of the offender. Therefore, the causes of crime are relevant in assessing situational remedies. Work Cited American Journal of Sociology Academic Journals: Criminology, American Sociological Review, Social Forces, Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency, , Quantitative Criminology, Child Development, Justice Quarterly, Social Problems, and Journal of Health and Social Behavior. Siegel, Larry. The Textbook: "Criminology: Theories, Patterns, and Typologies". The bureau of justice statistics: http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/ accessed on 25th April 2007 Read More