LAW / CRIMINOLOGY

Trends and Patterns of Crime in Scotland

Trends and Patterns of Crime in Scotland

Criminology is a discipline that is a vague field of study (Maguire, et.al, 2012, pp. 7). It is described not through an area of societal reality (as psychology is certainly associated with the sociology or individual societal relationships), however, through a substantive dilemma i.e. crime.

Key Theories and Debates in Criminology

Classical and Positivist Theories

Theorists who believe in classical and positivist theories follow the notion of open willpower when describing the crime. This theory predicts that intense sentences, like, death or flogging would discourage individuals from all crimes. In the 18th century, “Cesare Beccaria” squabbled that the sentence must fit the crime. Classical theory was well-known in the last years of 18th and 19th centuries, however, positivist theory, afterwards turned out to be accepted in its place. Positivists theories have been condemn for failing to explore the reasons of crime and efficient methods for reducing crime.

Radical Criminology

Radical criminology was initially proposed in 1973 on the basis of the Marxist position. No action is criminal or immoral in nature; descriptions of crime are socially dogged, reflecting existing societal principles. Crime is thus seen as socially dogged.

Labelling Theory

Labelling theory unites well with radical criminology as it observes criminal conduct as being described by community. Individuals with no power are labelled through those with power (for example parents, judges, teachers, and police, etc.). Conduct is not seen as wrong or right as an unusual conduct. This squabble pertains not merely to criminal conduct, however, also to other clusters in the community that have been labelled, like, the mentally, alcoholics, etc. Labelling theory entailed two consequences, i.e. the formation of stigma and the adjustment of self representation.

Constitutional Theory

Siegel (2012, pp.304) argued that the wrongdoer is a different species, a group of individuals that are among primitive and modern humans. His viewpoint was founded on genetics. Many types of criminals were said to have different physiological attributes in them. DeLisi & Beaver (2012, n.d.) affirmed that human beings can be categorized into three body structures, which include endomorphic, ectomorphic, and mesomorphic.

Genetic Explanation

Genetic interpretation further entails six separate studies, which include twin studies, adoption studies, family studies, chromosomes, neurochemical interpretation, and neurophysiological studies.

Environmental Explanations

A number of modern studies point out a range of biochemical aspects that may be engaged in criminal conduct, like, environmental situations (for example, the existence of radiation or lead from artificial ...