Exam 1: Introduction to Criminological Theory

What are the general characteristics of criminological theories? In your essay on this question address at least the following: What are the major questions about crime that criminological theories attempt to answer? How do these questions relate to the way in which criminological theories are classified? How do the questions differ from the kind of questions to which social and political philosophies of crime control are addressed?

Evaluation of the success or failure of a criminal justice program or policy based on a particular theory of crime is a good way to provide a direct test of that theory.

Critically examine the assertion that theories of crime and delinquency should be classified and evaluated mainly according to their philosophical or political assumptions as liberal, conservative, or radical. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this assertion and why? Is there evidence that criminologists are influenced in supporting or opposing a theory based on their own political or philosophical leanings?

Do you think it is more important to study crime at a micro or macro level? How could the findings differ by unit of analysis?

The hallmark of a scientific theory is that:

According to Akers and Sellers, good, sound criminal justice and social policies designed to prevent or control crime that are derived from theories of criminal and delinquent behavior: