Criminology Assignment: Theories and Research Overview

This assignment provides an introduction to criminology and criminal justice, exploring key theories and research in the field. It begins by highlighting the importance of sociological theories in understanding crime, referencing sources that discuss strain theory and social learning theory as prominent explanations for criminal behavior. The assignment examines how strain theory suggests individuals engage in crime due to stress, while social learning theory posits that individuals learn criminal behavior through association. Furthermore, it delves into crime analysis as a practical tool, emphasizing its role in understanding crime trends and supporting various law enforcement functions. The assignment draws on multiple credible sources to support its arguments, providing a comprehensive overview of foundational concepts in criminology and the impact of research findings on society. The provided references support the claims and arguments made in the assignment.

Running head: INTRODUCTION TO CRIMINOLOGY AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE
Introduction to criminology and criminal justice
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author Note

1
INTRODUCTION TO CRIMINOLOGY AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE
Downes, D., Rock, P. and McLaughlin, E., 2016. Understanding deviance: a guide to the
sociology of crime and rule-breaking. Oxford University Press.
The above source can be considered as creditable. It highlights social theories provide a
good understanding of the main and important factors that contribute to commission of crime
(Downes, Rock and McLaughlin 2016). Criminological thought is based upon potential cultural
and moral belief and multi disciplinary scientific investigation. Criminology has been identified
and recognized institutionally in several jurisdictions. Study of crime and deviance has
undergone drastic change since the late 1990s. The main theories of crime and delinquency
include strain theoryand social learning theory. All of the theories describe and explain crime in
context of social environment. The sources of knowledge about crime and deviance have been
discussed in academic source.
Link, N.W., Cullen, F.T., Agnew, R. and Link, B.G., 2016. Can general strain theory help
us understand violent behaviors among people with mental illnesses?. Justice
Quarterly, 33(4), pp.729-754.
The above source can be considered as creditable. According to the Strain theory it can
be said that people engage in criminal activities due to experiencing stress or strain. Due to being
under stress and strain people, engage in crime as they feel that engaging in criminal activity
would help them escape the stress and strain they experience. The source argues that proponents
of this theory suggest that individuals may exhibit violent behavior in order to seek revenge
against those who have harmed them or engage in illicit drug abuse to experience superficial

2
INTRODUCTION TO CRIMINOLOGY AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE
happiness. It can be said that people exhibit violent activities by being under stress. The link
between mental illness, strain and criminal behavior has been explored.
Fox, K.A., Nobles, M.R. and Fisher, B.S., 2016. A multi-theoretical framework to assess
gendered stalking victimization: The utility of self-control, social learning, and control
balance theories. Justice Quarterly, 33(2), pp.319-347.
The above source can be considered as creditable. According to the Social learning
theory individuals engage in criminal activity because of their association. It can be said
according to the proponents of Social learning theory that individuals are induced to crime
through their association (Fox et al. 2016). They learn beliefs that favor the crime. Individuals
perceive crime to be something that is justifiable and desirable. It argues that the principles of
Social learning theory that individuals engage in crime in the same way as children engage in
comforting behavior by exposing themselves to others.
Santos, R.B., 2016. Crime analysis with crime mapping. Sage publications.
The above source can be considered as creditable. Crime analysis refers to a set of
analytical and systematic processes which provide pertinent and systematic information about
crime trends and patterns and correlations between the two. Crime analysis can be considered to
be a practical tool. The main argument of this source is that it reflects that crime records and
patrol reports provide relevant data about weapons, modus operandi, crime sense, stolen vehicles
and suspects. It can be said that analyzing data that is stored in the police files can provide
important and relevant information to the patrolling officers about activities of the suspects in the
areas patrolled by the officers.

3
INTRODUCTION TO CRIMINOLOGY AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE
Law.jrank.org. (2018). Crime Causation: Sociological Theories - Social Learning Theory.
[online] Available at: http://law.jrank.org/pages/815/Crime-Causation-Sociological-
Theories-Social-learning-theory.html [Accessed 22 Mar. 2018].
The main argument of this source is that crime analysis provides support to a number of
department functions which includes special operations department, patrol department and
tactical units, crime prevention, planning and research and administrative service. This source
can be considered as creditable.Crime analysis can be defined as a discipline which is detail
oriented and in which the analyst aims to seek the truth of a situation by the utilization of
accurate information and methods for the purpose of formulating an effective strategy.
Bachman, R.D. and Schutt, R.K., 2017. Fundamentals of research in criminology and
criminal justice. Sage Publications.
The above source highlights that criminology Research findings have significant impacts
on the society in general. It can be considered as creditable in nature. For the purpose of
conducting a criminal research it is important to focus on a substantive area of the society in
which is the research is to be conducted (Bachman and Schutt, 2017). Findings from researches
based on criminology have provided great insights about why a crime is committed and what the
underlying cause is for the commission of crime. Significant criminal findings of criminology
researches have also helped the different police departments to solve the crimes and even prevent
the occurrence of crimes in future.

4
INTRODUCTION TO CRIMINOLOGY AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE
Reference List
Downes, D., Rock, P. and McLaughlin, E., 2016. Understanding deviance: a guide to the
sociology of crime and rule-breaking. Oxford University Press.
Link, N.W., Cullen, F.T., Agnew, R. and Link, B.G., 2016. Can general strain theory help us
understand violent behaviors among people with mental illnesses?. Justice Quarterly, 33(4),
pp.729-754.
Fox, K.A., Nobles, M.R. and Fisher, B.S., 2016. A multi-theoretical framework to assess
gendered stalking victimization: The utility of self-control, social learning, and control balance
theories. Justice Quarterly, 33(2), pp.319-347.
Santos, R.B., 2016. Crime analysis with crime mapping. Sage publications.
Bachman, R.D. and Schutt, R.K., 2017. Fundamentals of research in criminology and criminal
justice. Sage Publications.
Law.jrank.org. (2018). Crime Causation: Sociological Theories - Social Learning Theory.
[online] Available at: http://law.jrank.org/pages/815/Crime-Causation-Sociological-Theories-
Social-learning-theory.html [Accessed 22 Mar. 2018].