5.1 Chapter Overview and Learning Objectives
Have you ever heard about a shocking crime and wondered: “Why would someone commit such a terrible act?” Throughout history, scholars and researchers have grappled with the question of why individuals engage in criminal acts. In this chapter, we will explore various perspectives, including classical theories, positivism, and other explanations rooted in biology, psychology, and sociology. By studying these theories, we aim to uncover the factors influencing criminal behavior and how they have shaped the current landscape of the U.S. criminal justice system. These theories should be approached critically, acknowledging that they offer frameworks for understanding rather than absolute truths. Additionally, we must remain vigilant against the perpetuation of racism, sexism, and other biases within these theories, ensuring that our examination of crime and its causes is rooted in evidence-based analysis and a commitment to justice and equality for all individuals within society.
Learning Objectives
After reading this chapter, students will be able to do the following:
- Distinguish between classical, positivism, and other biological and psychological explanations of criminal behavior.
- Recognize the links between crime control policy and theories of criminal behavior.
- Demonstrate effective application of criminological theories to behavior.
- Explain the major social structures in America and their relationship to crime theories.
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:
- Control theories
- Feminist criminology
- Hedonism
- Labeling theories
- Learning theories
- Positivism
- Situational crime prevention
- Strain theories
- Theory
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:
- How do we know what theories explain crime better than other theories?
- How did the classical theory of crime influence the American criminal justice system?
- Why is it difficult to study biological theories of crime without thinking about the social environment?
- Which theory do you think explains criminal behavior the best? Why?
- Why do you think there have been so many different explanations to describe the origins of criminal behavior?
Licenses and Attributions for Chapter Overview and Learning Objectives
Open Content, Shared Previously
“Chapter Overview” is adapted from “5: Criminological 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. Modifications by Megan Gonzalez, revisions by Roxie Supplee, licensed CC BY-NC-SA 4.0, include rewriting the introduction and editing the learning objectives.
An approach to criminology that emphasizes the use of scientific methods to study crime and develop solutions.
The criminal justice system is a major social institution that is tasked with controlling crime in various ways. It includes police, courts, and the correction system.
An explanation that attempts to make sense of our observations about the world.
