UI 309Definition of crimeIs the U.S. crime prone?Is the United States too lenient?Why is the U.S. crime-prone?Crime, morality and devianceCriminologyInterdisciplinary natureCriminal JusticeSubareas of criminologySubareas (continued)History of criminologyHistory (continued)Slide 14UI 309Carol VenezianoCarol VenezianoDefinition of crimeCrime is an actCrime is an actor the omission of an actor the omission of an actIn violation of the penal codesIn violation of the penal codeswithout defense or justificationwithout defense or justificationsanctioned by the state as a felony or sanctioned by the state as a felony or misdemeanormisdemeanorIs the U.S. crime prone?MurderMurder4 times the rate of Italy4 times the rate of Italy9 times the rate in England9 times the rate in England11 times the rate in Japan11 times the rate in JapanIs the United States too lenient?Highest incarceration rate in the worldHighest incarceration rate in the worldU.S. 426/100,000 peopleU.S. 426/100,000 peopleSouth Africa 333/100,000South Africa 333/100,000Great Britain 97/100,000Great Britain 97/100,000The U.S. incarcerates at similar rates for violent The U.S. incarcerates at similar rates for violent crimescrimesWe incarcerate at significantly higher rates for We incarcerate at significantly higher rates for nonviolent crimesnonviolent crimesWhy is the U.S. crime-prone?Large underclassLarge underclassUrban areas in which poor and wealthy live in close Urban areas in which poor and wealthy live in close proximityproximityRacismRacismFailure of the educational systemFailure of the educational systemTroubled American familyTroubled American familyCulture that defines success in terms of material wealthCulture that defines success in terms of material wealthEasy access to handgunsEasy access to handgunsCrime, morality and devianceSome acts defined as crimes might be Some acts defined as crimes might be considered moral ( I.e., protesting)considered moral ( I.e., protesting)Some unethical acts might not be considered Some unethical acts might not be considered crimes (ignoring someone in danger)crimes (ignoring someone in danger)Although there is considerable overlap, crime Although there is considerable overlap, crime and morality are not always the sameand morality are not always the sameSimilarly, although many acts we call deviant Similarly, although many acts we call deviant are crimes, not all deviant acts are crimesare crimes, not all deviant acts are crimesCriminologySCIENTIFIC STUDY OF THE NATURE, SCIENTIFIC STUDY OF THE NATURE, EXTENT, CAUSE AND CONTROL OF EXTENT, CAUSE AND CONTROL OF CRIMINAL AND DELINQUENT BEHAVIORCRIMINAL AND DELINQUENT BEHAVIORDescription: how many crimes, what types?Description: how many crimes, what types?Prediction: when and where will crime occur? Prediction: when and where will crime occur? Who will commit it?Who will commit it?Control: How might crime be decreased?Control: How might crime be decreased?Explanation: What causes crime?Explanation: What causes crime?Interdisciplinary natureSociologySociologyPolitical SciencePolitical SciencePsychologyPsychologyCriminal JusticeCriminal JusticeEconomicsEconomicsAnthropologyAnthropologyBiology - Genetics, NeuroscienceBiology - Genetics, NeuroscienceCriminal JusticeScientific study of the agencies of social Scientific study of the agencies of social control which deal with crime and control which deal with crime and delinquencydelinquencyAgencies: Police, courts and correctionsAgencies: Police, courts and correctionsDistinction between criminology and Distinction between criminology and criminal justicecriminal justiceSubareas of criminologyCriminal Statistics: amount and trends of Criminal Statistics: amount and trends of criminal activitycriminal activitySociology of law: role social forces play in Sociology of law: role social forces play in shaping criminal law, and the role of criminal shaping criminal law, and the role of criminal law in shaping societylaw in shaping societyTheory construction: explanations of crime Theory construction: explanations of crime causationcausationCriminal behavior systemsCriminal behavior systemsSubareas (continued)Penology: correction and control of known Penology: correction and control of known criminal offenderscriminal offendersVictimology: study of the victims of crimeVictimology: study of the victims of crimeHistory of criminologyPreliterate societiesPreliterate societiesEarly criminal codesEarly criminal codesInconsistent justiceInconsistent justice1700s--the Enlightenment1700s--the EnlightenmentDevelopment of concept of democracyDevelopment of concept of democracyEmphasis on rationality and scientific thinkingEmphasis on rationality and scientific thinkingHistory (continued)Classical criminologyClassical criminology1800s : Positivism1800s : PositivismBiological explanations (Lombroso)Biological explanations (Lombroso)Development of Psychology and SociologyDevelopment of Psychology and Sociology1900s: Sociology predominates1900s: Sociology predominatesSocial process and social structure theoriesSocial process and social structure theories1970s: re-emergence of classical1970s: re-emergence of classicalHistory (continued)Re-emergence of PsychologyRe-emergence of PsychologyIncrease in crime rate and fear of crimeIncrease in crime rate and fear of crimeDisenchantment with rehabilitationDisenchantment with rehabilitationIncrease in incarceration ratesIncrease in incarceration rates1980s: Increase in drug use and lethal gang 1980s: Increase in drug use and lethal gang violenceviolence1990s: search for alternatives1990s: search for
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