The Role of Theory in Criminology

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The Role of Theory in Criminology
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Why Have Theory?
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Crime Theoryand Common Sense

• She was born that way
• Hes from the wrong side of the tracks
• She got in with the wrong crowd
• What he needs is a good stiff kick
• Its the parents fault
• Weve got to stop coddling criminals
• Its the music she listens to
• How else could he hope to get rich?
• He was labeled a trouble maker at a young age

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Aspects of Theory

• Articulated propositions
• Unarticulated propositions
• Empirical validity

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Drawing the Relationships Between Variables

• Direct (causal) effect
• A affects C directly
• Indirect (mediated) effect
• A affects C indirectly by first affecting B
• B is a mediating variable

A
C
A
B
C
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Drawing the Relationship Between Variables

• Interaction effect
• The relationship between A and C differs
  depending on B

A
C

• B moderates the relationship
• between A and C

B
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Explaining Delinquency

• Neighborhood
• Poverty

Poor Parental Supervision
Delinquent Friends
Delinquency