Understanding Criminology: Meaning, Tasks, and Challenges

Running Head: BUSINESS AND CORPORATION LAW
0
Criminology and Criminal Justice
6/29/2019
Student’s Name

CR4001 : RESIT 1
The selected question for the preparation of this assignment is question number 1 that
will develop the understanding on, the meaning of criminology; its tasks, questions and the
manner in that it challenges common sense understanding of crime.
Crime refers to an omission or an action, which is punishable by law
(Lawhandbook.sa.gov.au, 2019). People who commit crime are known as criminals and are
liable for fines and punishment. Apart from the crimes and criminals, one more term is there
which criminology is. This is one of the significant aspects in today’s world and therefore
seeking huge attention. The study of this subject is essential because people live in a society
where crimes are happening on daily basis and affecting lives of such citizens. The crime rate is
increasing in a very fast way and in such a situation, it becomes necessary to develop a basic
understanding in regards to relevant topics. In the presented essay, various aspects related to this
term (Criminology) will be discussed such as meaning and key task of the same. Further, the way
in which criminology challenge a common understanding of people will also be discussed. Apart
from this, the study will also be developed on criminologist and the role of the same will be
discussed hereby.
Criminology means the study of crime (Roufa, 2019). For the purpose to understand the
meaning of criminology, this is to state that the same is a study of criminal justice and law
enforcement system. Havelock Ellis, a criminologist, has introduced the term criminology into
the English language for the very first time in 1988. Criminology is a branch of sociology. As
per the definition provided by Merriam Webster, criminology can be understood as the scientific
study of crime as a social phenomenon of penal treatment and criminals (Merriam-webster.com,
2019). Further to say that almost every author who has written a text in this field has provided a
definition of this term. The definition provided by Sutherland has been standard for many years.

CR4001 : RESIT 2
As per this definition, Criminology refers to a body of knowledge with respect to crime as a
social phenomenon. It contains the process and scope of lawmaking, law-breaking, and reaction
to the breaking of laws (Brown, Esbensen & Geis, 2015). In a conclusive and summarized way,
this is not wrongful to state that the criminology is a methodical study of crime, criminal and
criminal justice processes and institutions. Sometimes, people get confused between criminal
justice and criminology, as they sound the same; nevertheless, they both are different. Now
another
There are various tasks of criminology. These tasks reflect the scope of the same. In order
to discuss its key tasks, this is to mention that the same does not only includes study but also
critically deconstruct and unknot the construction and concept of crime as well as the action of
criminal justice in respect to broader political, economic and social structure, processes,
institutions, and issues. Further challenging the common understanding of crime is another task
of criminology. Further, to discuss, measurement of the extent of offenders and crime is also an
important task of criminology. People who study this subject get to know these aspects in detail.
Criminology attempts to analyses the reason for the crime. By the way, of study of criminology,
one may be able to understand issues that are around punishment. Crimes affect victims in a very
significant manner and here again; criminology plays an important role as it explores these
impacts. This subject helps in exploring public attitudes and media presentation of crime.
Further, it also helps to break down perception. Hence, these are basic tasks of criminology.
Characteristics are another important aspect to understand. To discuss the key features of
criminology, this is to state that substantive concern brings it together as a discipline
(Mheducation.co.uk, 2019). Some questions are closely related to criminology. These mainly
include questions related to theories. Criminology has different theories that provide different

CR4001 : RESIT 3
aspects and perceptions. How theories are created, how one may get to know whether he/she is
right or not. Why one theory can be better than the others. To answers all of these questions,
certain research methods are there. Depend on the type of research these questions further get
their structure. For instance, quantitative research has open as well as the closed type of
questions, which are generally based on attitude, behavior, and attributes of people.
The issue of crime is not a concern for just society but it is a worldwide issue and every
person been in a situation of crime at least once. Now a day’s people have the perception that
dealing with crime is a matter of law and justice system but it is not true. Different sociologist
developed different criminology theories to develop thinking of people regarding crime. These
theories explain the different social problem that arises out of the criminal behavior of people.
These theories provide a critical view of crime and related aspects and challenge common sense
understanding of people regarding crime. In general, people think that crime is an unethical,
legally incorrect conduct and the culprit has to experience many of the consequences. They think
that people have their reasons behind the performance of crime. Nevertheless, they are not able
to understand what these reasons are, how a criminal behaves and affects the surrounding.
Criminology theories play an important role here and provide professional knowledge setting
aside all the common and general understanding of crime. Labeling theory is the most basic
theory, which is closely connected to the common sense understanding of crime. As per this
theory, people behave in a manner, which reflects how other people label them (Crossman,
2018). The theory believes that labeling someone as criminal surely increase deviant behavior in
that person. The first important theory is Biological theory. This theory examines the individual
character and tries to explain the behavior of the same. Under this theory, some of the reasons for
crime are detailed as evolutionary rewards, bad brain, poor diet, chemistry, mental illness, and