Critical Criminology

Mainstream Theory

Focuses on crimes captured in official statistics and perceives crime as a widespread issue.

Is crime committed by rational or irrational individuals?

A question exploring the nature of criminals and their decision-making processes.

Get Tough Policies

Approaches aimed at increasing the severity of punishment for crimes.

Critical Criminology

An approach that includes radical, Marxist and conflict perspectives, questioning traditional understandings of crime.

Marxism in Criminology

Focuses on the use of law as a tool to control lower classes and social inequalities.

Labeling Theory

Explores who is labeled as deviant and the implications of these labels on individuals.

Primary Deviance

Initial acts of rule-breaking that do not lead to labeling.

Secondary Deviance

Subsequent acts of deviance that occur after an individual has been labeled.

Effects of Labels

Investigates how being labeled can affect an individual's identity and behavior.

Housing Discrimination

Discrimination against individuals based on past criminal records in housing opportunities.

Employment Discrimination

Discrimination faced by former offenders when seeking employment due to their criminal history.

Sex-Offenders Registries

Public lists that catalog individuals convicted of sex crimes, impacting their reintegration into society.

Student Loan Exclusions for Drugs

Policy that denies student loans to individuals with drug-related convictions.