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Essay on Theories of Crime and Criminal Activity

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Theories of Crime and Criminal Activity

Every theory of crime has at least 2-3 meta-theoretical levels above it. The fundamental issues are usually addressed at the approach level, and are often called the assumptions, or starting points, of a theory, although the term "assumptions" more strictly refers to the background or domain boundaries one can draw generalizations about. Above the approach level is the Perspective level, the largest unit of agreement within a scientific community, and in fact, the names for the scientific disciplines. Perspectives are sometimes called paradigms or viewpoints, although some people use the term paradigm to refer to untestable ideologies such as: (1) rational choice; (2) pathogenesis; (3) labeling; …show more content…

The theorist's creativity is based on what are called constructs (images, ideas, or new words in the theorist's head), and the art of theory onstruction is the translation of constructs into concepts. The notion that concepts always deal with something observable or something that can be experimented upon is called empiricism.

Criminological Theories of Crime

General

Classical Rational Choice
Deterrence
Positivist Routine Activities
Individual Trait Labeling
Reintegrative Shaming
Social Disorganization Critical
Differential Association
Social Learning
Subcultural Peacemaking
Anomie
Institutional-Anomie Feminism

General Strain Developmental
Life Course
Control
General Theory of Crime
Control Balance
Power Control Integrated

The Classical and Neo-Classical theories are based upon the ideation of free will and rational choice. This theory occurs when the benefits outweigh the costs—when people pursue self-interest in the absence of effective punishments. They are simplex modules to follow when applying them to the role of individual responsibility. This theory further states that crime is a free-willed choice, that a person is aware of their actions, they are aware of their choice to commit crime. This is the theory of free will and rational thought. For instance, if a man robs a bank with complete mental awareness, he is aware of his actions.

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