Understanding Criminology: Definitions, Justice, and Data
Criminology Week 1: Defining Crime and Justice
What is Crime?
There is no straightforward, universal definition of crime. While some define it as “breaking the law” or “breaking society’s rules,” crime is fundamentally a social construction. It is not a naturally occurring phenomenon; rather, it is brought into existence by society defining certain behaviors as illegal. There is no act that is, in itself, inherently criminal.
Crime depends on the context of time, place, status, and politics. It is defined as “behavior that is contrary to the norms of society as they have been formally written or codified into law.”
Criminalization: A Matter of Power
- A social and political process: How certain behaviors and groups come to be defined as criminal.
What is Criminology?
Criminology is the study of crime, those who commit it, and the justice system, which involves the Police, the Corrections Department, the Ministry of Justice, and the Courts.
Crime Policy and Trade-offs
Defining crime and determining enforcement efforts involves societal trade-offs (e.g., comparing policing strategies in New York and Tokyo subways).
Deviance vs. Justice
Deviance: Behavior considered contrary to the informal norms or values of a society; a “violation of moral codes.”
Justice: The assignment of deserved reward or punishment. Types include:
- Distributive (Social) Justice: Material/economic and intangible/social aspects.
- Retributive/Corrective Justice: Procedural and substantive aspects.
Social Justice: Focused on promoting equality, inclusion, and well-being.
Criminal Justice: Focused on due process, security, and crime control.
Criminology Week 2: Measuring Crime
The Challenge of Measurement
It is impossible to know the actual number of crimes in a society. All crime statistics are estimates dependent on reporting and definitions. Crime is an unobserved variable whose values are inferred from other measurable data.
Key Arguments
- Crimes are often covert and unpublicized.
- Crimes can be subjective to define or identify.
- Completely accurate information is impossible to obtain.
Proxy Data and Variables
When direct measurement is impossible, researchers use proxy data—a variable used as a substitute for the variable of interest.
Why Measure Crime?
Measurement is essential for understanding and comparison. Crime is typically measured through police, court, and prison data, as well as surveys.
Limitations of Police Crime Data
Police data measures both crime and police behavior. It reflects when officers choose to make an arrest or issue a warning, but it ignores informal warnings or inaction. Other issues include:
- Multiple police agencies with varying definitions.
- Changes in police behavior over time.
- Inconsistencies in public reporting frequency.