Criminology

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Criminology

Criminology (pronounced: krim-uh-nol-uh-jee) is a branch of sociology that studies crime, criminal behavior, and the law enforcement system. The term is derived from the Latin crimen, which means "accusation" and the Greek -λογία (-logia), which means "study".

Definition

Criminology is the scientific study of crime, including its causes, responses by law enforcement, and methods of prevention. It is a sub-group of sociology, which is the scientific study of social behavior.

History

The history of criminology is in many ways a history of ideas and responses to crime and deviance. Criminology as a discipline is usually considered to have begun with the work of Cesare Beccaria and Jeremy Bentham.

Branches of Criminology

Criminology is divided into several areas:

  • Penology: This is the study of prisons and prison systems, and looks at theories of punishment and reformation.
  • Bio-criminology: This branch seeks to understand how genetics and neurological factors can influence criminal behavior.
  • Feminist Criminology: This branch looks at how gender and society can influence crime and victimization.
  • Criminalistics: This is the study of crime detection, evidence, and forensic science.

Related Terms

  • Sociology: The study of society, patterns of social relationships, social interaction, and culture.
  • Psychology': The scientific study of the human mind and its functions, especially those affecting behavior in a given context.
  • Law Enforcement: Any system by which some members of society act in an organized manner to enforce the law by discovering, deterring, rehabilitating, or punishing people who violate the rules and norms governing that society.

External links

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