Criminology: Week 1

Criminilogy Unit 1

criminology

scientific study of the nature, extent, cause, and control of criminal behavior

Criminologists will study…

crime stat/measurmenyts, law, theory, criminal behavior, penology or sociology of corrections, victimology, attitudes/perceptions about crime

criminal law

written colde that definess crimes and punishments

criminal law serves social goals like…

social control, discourage revenge, express public opinion, moral values, deterrence, fairness

Felony

a serious offense typically punishable by a year or more imprisonment an d loss of political rights such as voting

misdemeanor

minor crime generally punished by a fine or jail time of <1 years

criminal justice system

interconnected system of government agencies that enforce the law, adjudicate crime, and correct/punish offenders. concerned with social control.

3 components of criminal justice system

police/law enforcement agencies, the court system, the correctional system

Cesare Lombroso

An Italian criminologist and physician, Lombroso is often referred to as the father of modern criminology. He developed the theory of the "born criminal," suggesting that criminality was inherited and could be identified by physical features.

Deviant vs. Criminal

Deviance is behavior that violates the standards of conduct or expectation of a group or society. Criminal is behavior that violates a law.