5.2 Crime Theories
A theory is an explanation to make sense of our observations about the world. We test hypotheses and create theories that help us understand and explain the phenomena. Criminological theories focus on explaining the causes of crime. They explain why some people commit a crime, identify risk factors for committing a crime, and can focus on how and why certain laws are created and enforced. Edwin Sutherland (1934), a prominent theorist has referred to criminology as the scientific study of breaking the law, making the law, and society’s reaction to those who break the law. If we understand why crime problems are happening, we can then formulate crime solutions. In every chapter in this book, we will introduce crime prevention science (CPSc) solutions. They are a set of policies, programs, and practices designed to solve crime problems. The CPSc solutions are also based on crime theories. Some of the best crime theories are those ones that help us to implement crime solutions.
5.2.1 What Makes a Good Criminological Theory?
Numerous criminological theories attempt to explain why people commit a crime. The natural and physical sciences mostly agree on the knowledge of their disciplines. However, criminology is interdisciplinary, and many criminologists may not agree on what causes criminal behavior. For instance, Cooper, Walsh, and Ellis (2010) looked at the political ideology of criminologists and their preferred or favored theories and found that their political leanings influenced their beliefs about the causes of crime.
We must apply the scientific criteria to test our theories. Akers and Sellers (2013) have established a set of criteria to judge criminological theories: logical consistency, scope, parsimony, testability, empirical validity, and usefulness, outlined in table 5.1.
5.2.1.1 Table 5.1. Defining Akers and Sellers Criteria to Judge Criminological Theories.
|
Criteria |
Definition |
Questions to consider |
|---|---|---|
|
Logical consistency |
The theory’s basic ability to make sense. |
Is it logical? Is it internally consistent? |
|
Scope |
The theory’s range, or ranges, of explanations. (Better theories will have a wider scope or a larger range of explanation.) |
Does it explain crimes committed by males AND females? Does it explain ALL crimes or just property crime? Does it explain the crime committed by ALL ages or just juveniles? |
|
Parsimony |
The theory’s simplicity. |
Is it concise, elegant and simple? Are there too many constructs or hypotheses? |
|
Testability |
The theory’s ability to be tested. (Some theories are more testable, more exposed to refutation than others; they take, as it were, greater risks) |
Is it open to possible falsification? |
|
Empirical validity |
The verification or repudiation of a given theory through empirical research. (According to Gibbs (1990), this is the most important principle to judge a theory.) |
After testing, are the results supported by evidence? |
|
Usefulness |
Theories will suggest how to control, prevent, or reduce crime through policy or program. |
What is the premise of the theory that will guide policymakers? |
5.2.2 Licenses and Attributions for Crime Theories
Table 5.1. Table Defining Akers and Sellers Criteria to Judge Criminological Theories was created by Megan Gonzalez and adapted from Criminological theories: Introduction, evaluation, and application by Akers and Sellers, 2013.
“5.2. Crime Theories” by Sam Arungwa is adapted from “5.1. What is Theory? and 5.2. What Makes a Good Theory?” by Brian Fedorek in SOU-CCJ230 Introduction to the American Criminal Justice System by Alison S. Burke, David Carter, Brian Fedorek, Tiffany Morey, Lore Rutz-Burri, and Shanell Sanchez, licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0. Edited for style, consistency, recency, and brevity.