criminology
the scientific study of the nature, extent, cause, and control of criminal behavior
criminologists
researchers who use scientific methods to study the nature, extent, cause and control of criminal behavior
criminal justice
study of the agencies of social control - police, courts, and corrections
scientific method
The steps of
Observation - to Identify problem and collect data and facts
Hypothesis - Develop a reasonable explanation to account for or predict the data observed and the facts collected
Test Hypothesis- Test hypothesis using control groups and experimental methods
Interpretation - Analyze data using accepted statistical techniques
Conclusion- Interpret data and verify or disprove accuracy of hypothesis
justice
the administration of law
utilitarianism
people choose to act when, after weighing costs and benefits, they believe that their actions will bring them an increase in pleasure and a reduction of pain
classical criminology
The theoretical perspective suggesting that (1) people have free will to choose criminal or conventional behaviors; (2) people choose to commit crime for reasons of greed and personal need; and (3) crime can be controlled only by fear of criminal sanctions
positivism
The branch of social science that uses the scientific method of the natural sciences and suggests that human behavior is a product of social, biological, psychological, or economic forces.
physiognomist
A scientist who studied the facial features of criminals to determine whether the shape of ears, nose, and eyes and the distance between them are associated with antisocial behavior.
phrenologist
A scientist who studied the shape of the skull and bumps on the head to determine whether these physical attributes are linked to criminal behavior; phrenologists believed that external cranial characteristics dictate which areas of the brain control physical activity.
psychopathic personality
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atavistic anomalies
According to Lombroso, the physical characteristics that distinguish born criminals from the general population and are throwbacks to animals or primitive people.
biological determinism
A belief that criminogenic traits can be acquired through indirect heredity from a degenerate family whose members suffered from such ills as insanity, syphilis, and alcoholism, or through direct heredity--being related to a family of criminals
criminal anthropology
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biosocial theory
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cartographic school of criminology
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anomie
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chicago school
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social ecology
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social psychology
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socialization
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ecological view
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bourgeoisie
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proletariat
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rational choice
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criminological enterprise
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crime typology
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consensus view
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substantive criminal law
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social harm
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deviant behavior
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conflict view
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interactionist view
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stigmatize
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moral entrepreneurs
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common law
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mala in se
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mala prohibitum
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statutory crimes
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stalking statutes
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