Criminology and the Sociological Perspective

Chapter 1

Social Structure

Emile Durkheim - “Crime is a necessary and natural part of society…” Why?

…the influence of society on the individual decision making… For instance?

Social Structure

…the pattern of social interaction and social relationships in a group or societyHorizontal social structure-…refers to the social and physical characteristics of communities and the networks of social relationships to which an individual belongs.

Social Structure

Vertical social structure-…refers to social inequality. (Stratification)…the inequality of entire categories of people, who have different access to social rewards as a result of their status in a social hierarchy.Gerhard Lenski - The Distributive System

Schools of Criminology

Classical CartographicSocialistLombrosianMental testersPsychiatricSociological

Creation of Criminal Law

Consensus view -…a theory that people agree on norms despite their disparate socioeconomic positions.…originated in the rational process of a unified society.…originated in the crystallization of the mores of society.

Creation of Criminal Law

Conflict Theory-…refers to a theory that assumes that people disagree on norms and act with self-interest because of their disparate socioeconomic positions.…conflict is a natural part of society.

Research Methodology

Surveys -…questionnaires administered to a set of respondents.Sample -…a limited number of individuals chosen from a population.

Research Methodology

Population -…the entire category of people.Kinds of Surveys:Face-to-faceMailedTelephone

Research Methodology

Experiments - Controlled ExperimentExperimental Group-…the group that the independent variable is introduced.Control Group-…the group that the independent variable is withheld.

Research Methodology

Observational Studies -…observing, questioning, and (when possible) taking part in the events of the group. Writing, recording notes on observations.Tally’s Corner, Street Corner Society, TellThem Who I Am, Tearoom Trade.

Research Methodology

Comparative Research -…cross cultural and international research. (Using aggregate data)

Historical Research -…Emile Durkheim, Max Weber, Karl Marx

Causality

Cause and Effect Relationships -Independent Variable -…the cause, the explanatory variable.Dependent Variable -…the effect, the result, the condition the researcher wants to explain.

Criteria of Causality

The Independent variable and the Dependent variable must be statisticallyrelated.The Independent variable must precede the Dependent variable. (A causal order exists)The relationship between the Independent variable and the Dependent variable is notspurious.

Criteria of Causality

Spurious correlation-…one that is merely coincidental and does not imply any causal relationship whatever.

Criminal Law

Norms-…expectations of how people are supposed to act, think, or feel in specific situations.Types of Norms:Folkways (Informal)Mores (Informal)Laws (Formal)

Criminal Law

Types of Crime -Mala in se -…(evil in themselves) behaviors that violate traditional norms and moral codes.Mala prohibita -…(statutory crime) behaviors that violate contemporary standards only.

Criminal Elements

Elements of a crime -Actus reus (Act)-…refers to the actual criminal act of which the defendant is accused.Mens rea (Guilty mind)-…refers to criminal intent.

Criminal Intent

Types of Criminal Intent-General Intent-Specific Intent-Transferred Intent-Criminal Negligence-

Legal Defenses

Ignorance or Mistake-Intoxication-Duress-Necessity-Insanity/Diminished Capacity-Self-defense-Entrapment-