Foundational Concepts in Criminology and Theory
Determining the Value of a Theory
- Logic
- Utility
- Testability
- Empirical Validity
- Parsimony
Assumptions of Deterrence Theory
Severity, Certainty, and Swiftness (Celerity) lead to greater control over criminal behavior.
Three Principles of Deterrence Theory
- Severity: Degree of punishment.
- Certainty: Assurance and consistency of punishment.
- Celerity (Swiftness): Speed of punishment.
Alternative Explanations for Assessing Deterrent Effects
- Backlash: Committing more crime.
- Crime Displacement: Shifts in the time, place,
Emotional Intelligence: Components, Skills, and Applications
The Components of Emotional Intelligence (Goleman’s Model)
- Self-Awareness: Recognizing your emotions and their impact; includes emotional awareness and self-confidence.
- Self-Regulation: Managing disruptive impulses; includes trustworthiness, conscientiousness, and adaptability.
- Motivation: Internal drive to achieve beyond money or status; includes commitment and initiative.
- Empathy: Understanding the emotional makeup of others; vital for cross-cultural sensitivity.
- Social Skills: Proficiency in managing
Essential Terms in Behavioral Science and Social Research
Key Concepts in Behavioral Science and Social Research
Discrimination and Bias
- Ableism: Discrimination in favor of able-bodied people.
- Ageism: Discrimination against persons of a certain age group.
Personality Traits and Temperaments
- Agreeableness: The tendency to act in a cooperative, unselfish manner, construed as one end of a dimension of individual differences.
- Ambiversion/Ambivert: A state intermediate between extroversion and introversion.
- Conscientiousness: The quality of wishing to do one’s work
The 15 Major Branches of Psychology Defined and Explained
The Specialized Fields of Psychology
Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental processes. It is a broad discipline encompassing many specialized areas, often referred to as fields or branches of psychology. Each field focuses on distinct aspects of human (and sometimes animal) thought and behavior. Below is a detailed look at the main fields of psychological science:
1. Clinical Psychology
- Focus: Diagnosis and treatment of mental illness, emotional disturbances, and dysfunctional behavior.
Sociological Theories of Society and Space
1. Structural Functionalism
Macro-level theory
Key thinkers: Émile Durkheim, Talcott Parsons, Herbert Spencer
- Society is a stable and orderly system
- Different parts of society function like organs of a body
- Each institution performs a useful function for social stability
- Emphasizes social order, equilibrium, and cohesion
- Change occurs slowly through adaptation
Example:
Family socializes children, education prepares the workforce, religion creates moral unity
2. Conflict Theory
Macro-level theory
Key thinker:
Read MoreJung’s Collective Unconscious and Freudian Psychoanalysis
Carl Jung’s Collective Unconscious (1875-1961)
I: The Unconscious Mind
The unconscious mind encompasses everything not currently in consciousness but accessible to it.
Personal Unconscious
This layer includes forgotten memories and repressed experiences that attract or repel us. Unlike Freud’s view, Jung did not include instincts here.
Collective Unconscious
This is an evolutionary product, a shared, innate knowledge everyone is born with, of which we are unaware. It indirectly influences our experiences
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