CRM 110 Lecture Notes - Lecture 8: Cesare Lombroso, Cesare Beccaria, Salem Witch Trials
9 Dec 2016
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Document Summary
Ultimate goal of criminological theory is to identify causes of offending. People have been interested in understanding crime for a very long time. By the age of 23, 1 out of 3 americans will be arrested. If we can understand why people commit crime, maybe we can prevent it from occurring. The body of knowledge regarding crime as a social phenomenon, the study of offenders and offending. A statement regarding the relationship between two or more variables. Theories can be based on observations (deduction) or inferences (induction) Explanations of crime are very diverse and many are contradictory. The most popular theories are those that believe crime is the result of social interaction and free will. Others are based on belief in supernatural forces of witchcraft. Focus on moral weakness and evil spirits as cause of crime. Deviant and criminal behavior caused by sin, evil spirits, agreements with the devil, or magic.
