If it explains the cause of crime, then what can we do to reduce or eliminate crime? Is this possible? Explain why or why not

There are dozens of theories about what causes criminal behavior. Many of these criminological theories are discussed in Chapter 3 of the course textbook, Criminal Justice: Mainstream and Crosscurrents. Table 3.1 on pages 76-77 of the textbook presents the most commonly studied theories. Instructions: You are going to select the topic of your choice (from the list below) and conduct research to determine whether or not the criminological theory you are studying has any value in the study of criminal behavior. In essence, you are going to become an “expert” on the topic by reading what others have done to investigate the theory. You will present your findings in a short analytical research paper. Topics The first thing you need to do is decide on a topic from the following options. You will need to do this by the end of week five. The topics to choose from are: Chicago School – Social Disorganization Theory Strain Theory Social Control Theory Neutralization Theory Labeling Theory General Requirements: You must formulate a thesis and support that thesis with evidence. Make sure your thesis is something that you can make an argument over – that is, take a position and support it with facts and persuasive reasoning. Review Research Paper Resources and Help in this module for information on thesis development. You may use your textbook for this assignment, but you must have at least two other sources, none of which can be an internet site. If you have four or more sources, you may use one internet source, but the internet can only be 25% of total sources (e.g. with eight sources, only two can be from the internet, etc.). Encyclopedias, reference books, newspapers, magazines, journals, etc. that you access through databases are not considered internet sources. American Psychological Association (APA 7) Formatting: Your research paper shall be typed, double-spaced, following the American Psychological Association (APA 7) formatting and citationsLinks to an external site. style with no greater than a size 12 Times New Roman font and one inch margins all around. Things to consider when conducting your research and writing your paper The fundamental question you are trying to answer with your research is: Does the theory provide a reasonable, valid explanation for why people commit crimes? Your paper should address each of the following: Briefly describe the theory’s main points. Who developed/refined the theory? When? Why? How? (Be careful! Many students receive poor grades because they write a paper describing the theory, instead of writing about performing research and analysis of the theory).

Describe the strengths of the theory. Why is it a reasonable explanation for crime to occur? Describe any contradictions, ambiguities, or flaws in the theory. Analyze the utility/usefulness of the theory in understanding the causes of crime. If it explains the cause of crime, then what can we do to reduce or eliminate crime? Is this possible? Explain why or why not. The following list is provided to help you think of ways to approach your research. It is not a list of things you must address in your paper, rather it is a list of ideas for you to consider. You may also have your own ideas of what to write about based on your research and learning. Thoroughly present your analysis of the theory, supported by the evidence you’ve found during your research. Describe any research experiments that have been conducted which either support or oppose the theory’s validity. Clarify any gaps in the theory that don’t account for some types of crime. Identify which members of our society are more closely associated with the theory. Which members of our society are not closely associated with the theory? Does the theory apply equally to all persons (regardless of differences of gender, race, societal position, etc.? Does the theory apply equally to all crimes (regardless of differences of gender, race, societal position, etc.? Explain how the theory is stronger/better than other criminological theories. Is it reasonable to theorize that crime has sociological roots? Why or why not? Describe the characteristics of the theory that you believe are the most and least important. How might the theory be improved? What additional study could be done? Project whether or not the theory will stand the “test of time” or will it (or has it) become useless to describe the causes of crime (such as Lombroso’s atavistic criminal).

Last Completed Projects