Criminology Dissertation

Is your criminology dissertation going nowhere like an unsolvable murder case?

Is it time to call in the Sherlock Holmes of dissertations for your criminology dissertation?

If so just continue reading this article and all your worries regarding the topics and theories for your criminology dissertation will go away.

WHAT IS CRIMINOLOGY?

Criminology is the study of crime from a social and individual perspective and phenomenon. Criminologists study what exactly is going on in the criminals’ minds. It does not deal with the direct prevention of the crime but what leads to the factors that caused it. Criminologists also try to explain why some actions are considered a crime in one part of the world and not the other.

SOME WIDELY DISCUSSED THEORIES OF CRIMINOLOGY

1. CLASSICAL THEORY:

   When the perpetrator considers that the benefits outweigh the costs. For example, ABC robs a bank because he thinks he can get away with millions and he will be a millionaire from there on end.

2. POSITIVIST THEORY:

Perpetrator commits a crime because it was caused. For example, ABC robs a bank because he was born dirt poor and could not afford to eat.

1. INDIVIDUAL TRAIT THEORY:

   Criminals have several psychological traits that differ from noncriminals. For example, ABC has wanted to rob a bank since he was a kid. He has always fantasized about robbing a bank and takes great satisfaction in having such fantasies.

2. SOCIAL DISORGANIZATION THEORY:

   Crime is caused due to disorganized communities because they lead to criminal culture. For example, ABC robbed a bank because his community and neighborhood were disorganized and had no law and order.

3. DIFFERENTIAL ASSOCIATION THEORY:

   Crime is learned through association with a criminal or a criminal organization. Example XYZ was murdered because he comes from a gang that has a history of murderers.

4. STRAIN GENERAL STRAIN THEORY:

   A person is under strain and pressure when he does not meet the success he foresees for himself. Hence he commits the crime under strain trying to attain that success. ABC robbed the bank because he could not fulfill his dream to become a millionaire and it stressed him out. Hence he decided the only way he can be a millionaire is by robbing a bank.

5. ROUTINE ACTIVITIES THEORY:

   People’s daily routine activities affect the likelihood they will be an attractive target who encounters an offender in a situation where no effective guardianship is present. Example XYZ killed a girl because he knew her daily routine when she passed a certain alley.

6. LABELING REINTEGRATIVE SHAMING THEORY:

   People become criminals when they are constantly labeled as criminals. For example, QWE committed fraud because he was constantly labeled a cheat. He thought what the hell; if everybody calls me a cheat I might as well commit it.

7. CRITICAL THEORY:

   Inequality in power and wealth leads to crime. For example, XYZ was sick of inequality hence he robbed the bank.

Note: Things are not as black and white as stated in the examples. These examples are given just to give you a proper idea.

I hope these theories will help you come up with criminology dissertation topics and ideas Base your topic on any one of the theories. Then base it on a situation. This results in criminology dissertations much simpler and more interesting.