2.1 Chapter Overview and Learning Objectives
In this chapter, we will focus first on the relationship between theory, research, and policy. Then we will identify the stages of creating policy and discuss how current events and politics shape policy making.
Learning Objectives
After reading this chapter, students will be able to:
- Examine the relationship between theory, research, and policy.
- Identify the stages involved in creating policy.
- Reflect on how current events and politics shape policy.
Key Terms
Below are some of the most important key terms and phrases used in this chapter. You should review and become familiar with these terms before reading this chapter:
- Cost-benefit evaluations
- Crime prevention
- Crime control
- Folk devils
- Framing
- Impact (outcome) evaluations
- Moral panic
- Narratives
- Policy development
- Process evaluation
- Colonialism
- Hate crime
- Disproportionate minority contact
Critical Thinking Questions
Take a few minutes and reflect on these questions before you read the chapter to assess what you already know. Then, after reading the chapter, return to these questions to gauge how much you’ve learned:
- What is a current example of a moral panic?
- How does the media influence policy?
- If the media has so much influence over policy, how can we ensure fair and just laws and practices?
- Think of a crime problem in your area. What policy would you enact to combat it and how would you evaluate this policy to see if it was working?
- What are some policies you can think of that have changed over time? (eg. Marijuana legalization)?
Licenses and Attributions for Chapter Overview and Learning Objectives
Open Content, Shared Previously
“Chapter Overview” by Alison Burke and Megan Gonzalez is adapted from “4: Criminal Justice Policy” by Alison S. Burke 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; added DEI content.
An explanation that attempts to make sense of our observations about the world.
When public fears and state interventions greatly exceed the objective threat posed to society by a particular individual or group
