Criminology: Peeling Back the Layers of Crime
My friend is going to take the legal qualification exam today. In order to cheer her up, let’s talk about the law. When most people hear the word criminology, they might picture a detective in a trench coat solving mysteries or a courtroom drama where the criminal finally confesses. But criminology is so much more than what you see on TV. It’s a fascinating field that dives deep into the world of crime—exploring not just the who and what, but more importantly, the why and how. And when you look at criminology through the lens of sociology, things get even more interesting. So, let’s unpack this concept in a way that feels less like a lecture and more like a conversation.
What Exactly Is Criminology?
At its core, criminology is the study of crime, criminals, and the criminal justice system. But that’s just scratching the surface. Criminologists are like social detectives—they’re not just interested in tracking down the bad guys; they want to understand the deeper reasons behind criminal behavior. What social forces push people towards crime? How do societal norms and values shape our understanding of what’s considered criminal? These are the kinds of questions that keep criminologists busy.
Criminology Meets Sociology
Now, if you throw sociology into the mix, criminology becomes even more layered. Sociology is all about understanding how society influences individual behavior and vice versa. So, when sociologists look at crime, they’re not just focused on the individual criminals but on the broader social context in which crime occurs.
One of the key things sociologists study is social structure—the organized patterns of relationships and institutions that make up society. This includes everything from family and education to the economy and legal system. Criminologists using a sociological perspective are interested in how these social structures contribute to crime. For example, what role does poverty play in crime rates? How does the educational system influence who ends up in jail and who doesn’t? These are the kinds of big-picture questions that a sociological approach to criminology tries to answer.
Why Do People Commit Crimes?
This is probably the most frequently asked question in criminology, and the answers are far from simple. From a sociological perspective, the reasons people commit crimes are deeply tied to the social environment they live in. Let’s explore some of the major theories that try to explain this.
- Strain Theory: This theory suggests that people commit crimes when they’re unable to achieve socially accepted goals (like wealth or status) through legitimate means. Imagine growing up in a neighborhood where jobs are scarce and schools are underfunded. The pressure to succeed might lead some people to turn to crime as an alternative path to achieving those goals. It’s not that they’re inherently bad—they’re responding to the strain of their social environment.
- Social Learning Theory: According to this theory, people learn criminal behavior from the people around them. If you’re surrounded by friends or family members who engage in criminal activities, you’re more likely to pick up those behaviors yourself. It’s kind of like how you might pick up a bad habit from your best friend, but on a more serious level.
- Labeling Theory: This one’s really interesting. Labeling theory suggests that once someone is labeled as a “criminal,” they’re more likely to embrace that identity and continue committing crimes. Society’s reaction to a person’s behavior—like labeling them as a delinquent—can actually reinforce that behavior. It’s like if you were constantly told you’re bad at math; after a while, you might start believing it and stop trying altogether.
- Cultural Deviance Theory: This theory proposes that certain groups or subcultures have values and norms that are different from those of mainstream society, and these differences can lead to criminal behavior. For example, in some inner-city neighborhoods, behaviors that are considered criminal by the larger society might be seen as acceptable or even necessary for survival.
The Role of Society in Defining Crime
Criminology isn’t just about understanding why people commit crimes—it’s also about understanding how society defines what a crime is in the first place. You see, what’s considered a crime isn’t set in stone; it changes over time and varies from place to place. This is where the sociological perspective really shines.
Laws are created by people in power, and they often reflect the values and interests of those in power. For instance, something that’s legal in one country might be a serious crime in another, depending on the cultural norms and social values of each place. Criminologists are interested in how these laws come to be and how they change over time.
For example, think about how attitudes toward certain drugs have changed over the years. What was once considered a criminal offense might now be legal, or at least less harshly punished. This shift reflects changing societal attitudes and the influence of various social movements.
Society’s Response to Crime
Once a crime has been committed, how does society respond? This is another major focus of criminology. The criminal justice system—police, courts, prisons—plays a huge role in this, but so do social attitudes and policies. From a sociological perspective, criminologists look at how effective these responses are and what impact they have on individuals and communities.
For example, there’s a lot of debate about whether harsh punishments like long prison sentences actually deter crime. Some argue that they do, while others believe that they just make things worse by breaking up families and communities, leading to even more crime down the line. Criminologists also study alternatives to traditional punishment, like rehabilitation programs, and ask whether these might be more effective in the long run.
Real-World Examples
Let’s bring this down to earth with a few real-world examples. One area where you can see criminology in action is in the debate over mass incarceration in the United States. The U.S. has one of the highest incarceration rates in the world, and sociologists are deeply interested in understanding why that is. Is it because of harsher laws, like mandatory minimum sentences? Or is it because of broader social issues, like poverty and inequality?
Another example is the way crime is portrayed in the media. Criminologists study how media coverage of crime shapes public perceptions and policy. If the news is constantly reporting on violent crime, people might start to believe that crime is more prevalent than it actually is, leading to calls for tougher laws and more policing—even if crime rates are actually going down.
Wrapping It Up
So, what’s the takeaway here? Criminology, especially when viewed through a sociological lens, is about much more than just catching criminals. It’s about understanding the complex social forces that lead to crime, how society defines and responds to crime, and what we can do to create a fairer, safer world. Whether it’s examining how social structures contribute to crime, exploring the reasons behind criminal behavior, or questioning the effectiveness of our criminal justice system, criminology offers a deep and nuanced understanding of one of society’s most pressing issues.
References
Agnew, R. (2006). Pressured into Crime: An Overview of General Strain Theory. Oxford University Press.
Garland, D. (2001). The Culture of Control: Crime and Social Order in Contemporary Society. University of Chicago Press.
Sampson, R. J., & Laub, J. H. (2003). Shared Beginnings, Divergent Lives: Delinquent Boys to Age 70. Harvard University Press.
Reiman, J., & Leighton, P. (2013). The Rich Get Richer and the Poor Get Prison: Ideology, Class, and Criminal Justice (10th ed.). Routledge.
Cullen, F. T., & Jonson, C. L. (2011). Correctional Theory: Context and Consequences. SAGE Publications.