CRIMINOLOGY - LAW

Criminology

Criminology

Science, Society and Importance of Research

The word criminological research involves the analysis of how criminal behaviours, criminal laws, and justice practices are unique or the same in different cultures and societies. One of the earliest calls for a criminological research was made at the International Congress on Criminology of 1960 in The Hague, by Sheldon Glueck. He asked for more than just comparing different countries; he wanted research that could be replicated and intended to expose causal universals irrespective of cultural differences between countries (Laycock, 2008, p.02). One of the early manifestations of Glueck's call was the major work produced by Herman Mannheim in 1965 that drew together criminological research, theories, and practices from countries such as the United States, Britain, Germany, France and Italy; it also included works from other countries, especially in Europe. The value of this comparative work has become legend and has created a rich resource of information within the field of criminology. Also, the major aims of criminological research is to show that offenders are much more likely than non-offenders to be victims and that victims are much more likely than non-victims to be offenders. In other words, victims and offenders are often the same individuals. For example, the 2006 sweep of the U.K. Home Office's Offending, Crime and Justice Survey found that, for 10- to 25-year-olds, 50% of offenders had also been victims of a personal crime in the past 12 months compared with 19% of non-offenders; levels of offending were also higher among those who had been a victim compared with those who had not been a victim, 42% versus 14% (Laycock, 2008, p.03).

Conceptualisation, Operationalisation and Measurements

Conceptualization is the procedure of using the great quantity of information learned on the subject of a client to build up hypotheses regarding the fundamental, maintaining, aggravating, and extenuating variables that indirectly and directly influence clinical issues. A clinically functional conceptualization case comprises of two necessary elements. The first is fundamental information on the subject of presenting issues as well as particulars regarding the aetiology and aspects at present maintaining clinical issues (Cornish & Clarke, 1986, p.03). Founded on this information, the second element is developed and comprises of information regarding the involvements thought to be most obliging for that exacting client. The process of conceptualization does not subsist as a particular technique or strategy with clear guiding principles on effectual implementation however in its place is an activity that can be achieved in numerous ways. For itself, the procedure is not exclusive to behaviour modification or the therapy of cognitive behaviour with criminals, and instead is fundamental to clinical endeavours followed from any theoretical orientation. On the other hand, the variables of attention will differ rooted in theoretical perspective. Moreover, conceptualization process is particularly significant when operating from behavioural or cognitive-behavioural perspectives, provided the idiographic aspect of these psychological practice schools.

History of Approaches to Crime Research

Sociological theories emphasize the code, solidarity, and norms of the police culture that contribute to the opportunity for police ...