Essays and Research Papers on The Public & Crime

A 5 page discussion of the labeling theory of deviance, the tendency of society to place labels on individuals on the basis of them not belonging to the group doing the labeling. Ties together the self-fulfilling prophesy of Thomas Merton, the interactionist perspective of E. Goffman, the theories of H.S. Becker that social groups ...

(6 pp) Focusing on "hot topics" is an accepted way to generate interest for criminal justice research, to secure grants, to conduct research, and to publish papers. While research methods are often thought of as a stand-alone topic, an argument can be made for the importance of incorporating policy analysis, program planning, and evaluation ...

(4 pp) Social Control theorists start with the premise that human behavior is by nature antisocial and delinquent. They focus on restraining or "controlling" factors that are broken or missing inside the personalities of criminals. If these restraining factors are thought to involve society in some way, as with the sociological notion ...

This 5 page paper provides brief definitions of sociological concepts and schools of thought with an emphasis on criminology. Elijah Anderson's Code of the Street is discussed in depth. Bibliography lists 1 source.

This 5 page paper contends that crime is a growing problem. Unconventional solutions for the problem of crime are explored. Subjects such as crime on college campuses, terrorism, the drug war and Internet crime are discussed. Statistics are cited. A chart is included. Bibliography lists 4 sources.

This 5 page paper looks at deviant behaviour and considers two of the reasons given for this in terms of social actions and reactions such as criminal behaviour. The paper explains the theories and looks to use examples to add to the understanding of the models. The bibliography cites 3 sources.

A 10 page overview of the evolution of feminist criminology theory and the application of that theory to criminal justice. Associates this evolution with the same factors which spawned the feminist movement itself. Distinguishes between liberal, radical, Marxist, socialist, and postmodern versions of feminism and contends that each has had an impact on ...

A five page paper which looks at Street Level Leadership by Janet Vinzant and Lane Crothers, and assesses the way in which they analyse the concept of leadership in relation to those who are at the frontline of community relations, based on their observation of police and social workers who interact directly with the community ...

“The Belly of the Beast and The Rich Get Richer And The Poor Get Prison” A five page paper which offers a commentary on Jeffrey Reiman’s The Rich Get Richer And The Poor Get Prison and Jack Abbott’s The Belly of the Beast, and considers the ways in which the two authors differ with regard to ...

A 20 page overview of the environmental and genetic relationships between the propensity for substance abuse and the commission of crime. Examines the statistics behind rising criminal activity and suggests effective crime prevention and rehabilitation includes an address of the underlying causes for that crime, not just punishment for one’s actions. Bibliography lists 14 ...

A 10 page overview of the concept of racist crime. Notes the events which are unfolding in our country today are essentially the same as those which have been targeted against one race or ethnicity or another throughout American history. The criminal activity which is all too often associated with such mindset has ...

A 5 page analysis of the article by Russell Baker which originally appeared in the June 15, 1996 edition of the “New York Times”. Notes that although Baker uses a tongue-in-cheek approach to his argument against legalized gambling, his contention is not only fact based but supported by a number of other authors. ...

8 pages in length. The concept of a rational society, in which the entire community is greatly influenced by principles its members completely and accept without challenge -- has indeed proven to be one of the most powerful standards of our culture. However, there is a faction of this population that does not ...

A 5 page discussion of the growing tendency of television, and the media in general to present more and more graphic detail in regard to violent acts in the news and other programming content. This trend is given that its allure to young children, although incontestable, is one of the prominent societal concerns of ...

This 8 page paper provides an overview of Lombroso's theory of atavism. The nineteenth century theory is discussed along with new ideas that suggests there are underlying biological components to criminal behavior. Bibliography lists 4 sources.

16 pages in length. The precedence of police brutality has become a significant concern in precincts nationwide. While some will argue that police brutality is nothing more than a few isolated incidents, recent studies and events have proven just the opposite. From the streets to the interrogation room, the presence of police ...

This 5 page paper explores a variety of theories including but not limited to labeling theory, differential association and social control theories. Anomie is also discussed. Many explanations for crime are evaluated. Bibliography lists 7 sources.

This 5 page paper looks at the control theories in criminology. The writer outlines the ideas they present and considers how these are different from many other crime theories in the way they focus on why many people do not commit crimes, rather then the causes of crimes. The bibliography cites 4 sources.

This 11 page paper considers discusses the reasons behind the rising wave of crime in 18th and 19th century England and how the thinkers of the Enlightenment sought improve and reduce the crime rate. The bibliography cites 2 sources.

A 5 page examination of the factors influencing criminal behavior. Determining the cause of human behavior can be a difficult task. This is particularly true when we are considering criminal behavior. A thorough review of the various factors influencing behavior, however, often reveals that it is nature verses nurture that is most ...

10 pages in length. The writer defines the terms, as well as discusses various aspects of the two theories. Bibliography lists 9 sources.

A 9 page contention that those who are sentenced to death should be quickly and unceremoniously executed. This contention is supported by the facts that the death penalty has been debated ad nauseum and has been upheld in one case after another, that stricter penalties and the application of those penalties are known to ...

8 pages in length. The writer discusses Weber's conflict theory as it relates to crime. Bibliography lists 5 sources.

An 8 page overview of one of the most deplorable reflections of modern society. This paper details the statistics of child abuse, discusses its many forms, and the many societal factors which can result in abuse. The author calls for a more aggressive stance to dealing with child abuse, emphasizing that child abuse ...

This 4 page paper presents the case of actor Robert Blake who is accussed of killing his wife. This paper supposes that the information will be translated into a play and this information is presented as an outline. Bibliography lists 1 source.