This article provides a synthesis of criminology and victimization theories and offers an explanation on the causes, control and prevention in crime particularly on criminals and victims behavior and their interaction within the society. In addition to explaining why it is important to understand the causes, control and prevention on crime, the author described the relevant criminology and victimization theories and explained the implications of criminology and victimization theories on developing and implementing crime control and prevention strategy. The final segment of the paper provides an illustration with explanation on how effective crime control and prevention can be explained through criminology and victimization theories and how these efforts serve as a strategy to control, prevent and reducing crime.
As crime happened in our everyday life, as such it is important for us to know why do individuals commit crimes. There are indeed many crime control and prevention that have been implemented, but they are seldom developed from sound theories. Swanson (2001) emphasized that theory is required to be both scholarly in itself and validated in practice, and can be the basis of significant advances.
Given the large investment in the effort on crime control and prevention within a society, it is rational to identify, analyze and critique the criminology and victimization theories underlying the causes of crime in a society. High crime rates can force societies to re-examine crime control and prevention strategy as part of their efforts to maintain and to increase public safety and peace but rarely develop these practices from existing theories. The author therefore described the important of understanding causes of crime as well as crime control and prevention strategy and explained how crime control and prevention strategy can be more effective by identifying, analyzing, and critiquing criminology and victimization theories and showing the relationship between causes of crime and crime control and prevention. According to Global Peace Index (2019 report), there is a strong correlation between perceptions of peacefulness and actual peacefulness. Both men and women in more peaceful countries are more likely to report that they feel safe walking alone at night than people in less peaceful countries. Even when crime rate is low, societies are particularly concerned about maintaining the effectiveness of the crime control and prevention strategies.
Contents
1. INTRODUCTION
2. LITERATURE REVIEW
3. A SYNTHESIS OF CRIMINOLOGY AND VICTIMIZATION THEORIES
3.1 A) BIOLOGICAL THEORIES
3.2 B) SOCIOLOGICAL THEORIES
3.3 C) PSYCHOLOGICAL THEORIES OF DEVIANCE
3.4 D) ECONOMIC MODEL OF CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR
3.5 E) THE VICTIMIZATION THEORIES
4. APPROACHES ON CRIME CONTROL AND PREVENTION
5. THE CRITICAL FACTORS AMONG THE RESPECTIVE CRIMINOLOGY AND VICTMIZATION THEORIES AND THE IMPLICATIONS FOR DEVELOPING AND IMPLEMENTING CRIME CONTROL AND PREVENTION STRATEGIES
6. AN ILLUSTRATION ON HOW CRIME CONTROL AND PREVENTION STRATEGIES CAN BE EXPLAINED THROUGH THE CRIMINOLOGY AND VICTIMIZATION THEORIES
7. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS
Objectives and Topics
This paper aims to synthesize various criminology and victimization theories to explain criminal behavior and the underlying causes of crime, while critically evaluating how these theories inform effective crime control and prevention strategies. The research explores the relationship between theoretical foundations and practical policy implementations, seeking to bridge the gap between academic study and real-world application in criminal justice.
- Synthesis of major criminological and victimization theories.
- Analysis of economic, biological, sociological, and psychological causes of crime.
- Evaluation of modern crime prevention strategies including environmental design and Big Data.
- Investigation into the impact of social inequality, poverty, and neighborhood factors.
- Strategic recommendations for future crime control policy development.
Excerpt from the Book
A) BIOLOGICAL THEORIES
The biological theories asserts that behaviors are determined by factors largely beyond individual control. These theories can be classified into three types: a) Physical Trait Theories - those that attempt to differentiate among individuals on the basis of certain innate outward physical traits or characteristics. In a detailed study of facial fragments, Johann Kaspar Lavater (1783/1993) concluded that one could determine criminal behavior through an examination of a person’s eyes, ears, nose, chin, and facial shape. b) Heredity and Evolution Theories - those that attempt to trace the source of differences to genetic or hereditary characteristics. Lombroso determined that serious offenders inherited their criminal traits and were “born criminals,” they had strong jaws, big teeth, bulging foreheads, and long arms. Lombroso believed that criminals were born with these traits and did not commit crimes according to free will, as the classical school of criminology had suggested.
David Hartley (1749) explained that actions and thoughts that do not result immediately from an external stimulus are influenced by the constant activity of the brain because of man’s past experiences, mediated by the current circumstances, causing man to act in one way or another. Galton (1869) in his book “Hereditary Genius”, in which he concluded that human ability was inherited. c) Brain Structure and Function Theories - those that attempt to distinguish among individuals on the basis of structural, functional, or chemical differences in the brain or body. Diana Fishbein (2003) concluded that behavioral problems may originate in the hypothalamic– pituitary–adrenal axis (HPA) that connects the brain to the adrenal glands, which regulate the production of important hormones. Fishbein claimed that increased levels of cortisol, produced in response to stressors, cause the HPA to shrink and become ineffective. An ineffective HPA depletes cortisol and results in the inability to regulate emotions and behavior. A dysfunctional HPA may be caused by stress in childhood that impedes its development, or it may be caused by damage later in life.
Summary of Chapters
INTRODUCTION: The chapter introduces the study's theoretical focus, covering literature on the causes, prevention, and reduction of crime, as well as the emergence of the discipline of "crime science."
LITERATURE REVIEW: This section addresses the necessity of crime control, examining the tangible and intangible costs of crime to society, victims, and offenders, while highlighting the importance of theory-based interventions.
A SYNTHESIS OF CRIMINOLOGY AND VICTIMIZATION THEORIES: This chapter provides a comprehensive analysis of different academic frameworks, ranging from biological, sociological, and psychological perspectives to economic models and specific theories regarding victimization.
APPROACHES ON CRIME CONTROL AND PREVENTION: This section details contemporary strategies for controlling crime, including environmental, forensic, Justice Reinvestment, and Big Data policing approaches.
THE CRITICAL FACTORS AMONG THE RESPECTIVE CRIMINOLOGY AND VICTMIZATION THEORIES AND THE IMPLICATIONS FOR DEVELOPING AND IMPLEMENTING CRIME CONTROL AND PREVENTION STRATEGIES: The author distills key theoretical factors into practical implications for policy, emphasizing early-life interventions and community-based strategies.
AN ILLUSTRATION ON HOW CRIME CONTROL AND PREVENTION STRATEGIES CAN BE EXPLAINED THROUGH THE CRIMINOLOGY AND VICTIMIZATION THEORIES: This chapter provides a mapping of current prevention practices to their underlying theoretical justifications.
SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS: The paper concludes by emphasizing that while no single theory explains all criminal behavior, integrating theory into practical policy is essential for more effective crime reduction.
Keywords
Criminology, Victimization, Crime Control, Crime Prevention, Social Disorganization, Rational Choice, Biological Theories, Sociological Theories, Psychological Theories, Economic Model, Justice Reinvestment, Big Data Policing, Forensic Science, Social Learning, Recidivism
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this work?
This work focuses on synthesizing criminological and victimization theories to explain why individuals commit crimes and why some people are more prone to being victimized, ultimately linking these theories to effective crime prevention policies.
What are the central themes covered in this paper?
The paper covers four primary areas: the causes of crime, methods for the prevention and control of crime, critiques of existing criminological and victimization theories, and the latest innovations in crime control practices.
What is the main goal or research question?
The main goal is to identify and analyze the underlying theories of crime to demonstrate how they can be used to develop more effective, scientifically grounded crime control and prevention strategies.
Which scientific methods are used in this study?
The study utilizes a qualitative literature review approach, synthesizing secondary data and theoretical research from sociology, psychology, biology, and economics to construct a comprehensive framework for understanding and addressing crime.
What is the primary content of the main body?
The main body systematically reviews theories such as biological, sociological, and rational choice models, followed by an exploration of modern practical approaches like Justice Reinvestment and Big Data policing, and concludes with a mapping of practices to theory.
What are the key terms characterizing this work?
Key terms include Criminology, Victimization, Social Disorganization, Rational Choice, Justice Reinvestment, and Crime Prevention.
How does the author view the effectiveness of "Big Data" in policing?
The author views Big Data as an innovative and efficient tool for "smart policing" but warns of significant concerns regarding privacy and the potential for algorithms to perpetuate discrimination if the underlying data reflects socioeconomic or racial bias.
What does the "Justice Reinvestment" approach entail?
Justice Reinvestment involves redirecting public funds that would otherwise be spent on prison expansion into community-based initiatives that address the root socioeconomic causes of crime, such as lack of employment and education.
Why is the "Routine Activities Theory" significant for crime prevention?
It is significant because it shifts the focus from offender motivations to the environmental conditions that allow crime to occur, specifically identifying the convergence of a motivated offender, a suitable target, and the absence of a capable guardian as a target for prevention strategies.
What is the main takeaway regarding the link between theory and practice?
The author emphasizes that many current crime control practices are developed without a theoretical basis, arguing that practitioners must ground their strategies in established research to ensure long-term effectiveness and to reduce recidivism.
- Quote paper
- Dr. Wee Leong (Author), 2019, A Review of Criminology and Victimization Theories and their Implications for Crime Control and Prevention within Societies, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/506910
