Criminology Assignment: Theories, Problems, and Solutions

This criminology assignment explores macro and micro theories used to explain individual criminal behavior. It contrasts micro-level theories, focusing on psychological and biological factors, with macro-level theories, which consider community and economic influences. The assignment addresses crime as a violation of social norms, examining its impact at individual and aggregate levels, and discusses the challenges of proving causality in social sciences. It then compares the classical and positivist frameworks, highlighting how the positivist approach offers a more comprehensive understanding of the external forces contributing to crime. Finally, the assignment proposes strategies for crime reduction, including strict criminal laws, behavior modification, and adapting criminal laws to address the root causes of criminal behavior. This assignment provides a detailed overview of criminological concepts and their application to real-world scenarios.

Criminological Theory

Table of Contents
Question 2..................................................................................................................................2
Question 3..................................................................................................................................2
Question 4..................................................................................................................................2
Question 5..................................................................................................................................3
References..................................................................................................................................4
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Question 2
The macro and micro theories are being used to explain the behavior of an individual and its
outcome. Micro-level theories focus on specific relationships such as between small groups
or individuals. For example, the psychological and biological factor influences an individual
to carry out criminal activities. An individual having criminal behavior can influence him or
her to do crimes. On the other hand, macro-level theories are associated with a large group of
people or large scale issues (Conklin, 2013). For example, the changing situation of the
community and economy influences an individual to commit crimes. An individual may also
be influenced due to the surrounding environment and to full the increasing needs.
Question 3
Sociological problem
Crime is considered to be a violation of the law and represents a formal type of deviation
from social norms and customs. Crimes are being carried out by the people of the community
and it imposes a significant impact on other people.
At the individual level
Crime is being carried out by an individual and the criminal behavior focuses on the features
on that individual.
At the aggregate level
Crime has influenced the social world because people carry out criminal activities for many
reasons. In different places, there are different people who are responsible for these crimes.
Nesting levels
At this level, the measurement of crimes carried out by a group of people can be done. It is
being found that behavior, thinking and current situation of an individual are the major
influencing factors (Darrow, 2012).
Causality is difficult to prove in social sciences because it assumes that the value of the
interdependent variable is generated due to the value of the dependent variable. Causality can
never be depicted with finality.
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Question 4
The classical frame focuses on the basic assumptions about human behavior. An individual
has the right to judge the benefits and costs associated with his or her behavior and activities.
A crime is being carried out by an individual on the basis of cost-benefit ratio. The positivist
theory focuses on the external forces pull and push towards some behaviors such as culture,
peers, education, and poverty. The positivism frame is considered to be more convincing
within the concept of criminology. The positivism assist to depict the situations in which an
individual is being affected and forced him or her to commit crimes.
Question 5
The implementation of appropriate rules and policies can assist to fight with a crime. There
should be strict criminal law for criminal activities. The offender should be punished by the
court as per the law. The change in the behavior of an individual can assist to fight with the
crime. The mental status of an individual is considered to be a major factor which influences
to carry out the criminal activities. Thus, changing the behavior can assist to overcome the
problem. The criminal law need to be modified in order to deal with the situation.
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References
Conklin, J. (2013). Criminology (5th ed.). Boston: Pearson.
Darrow, C. (2012). Crime (3rd ed.). Luton: Andrews UK.
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