20 Terms
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Criminology
The scientific study of the nature and causes of crime, the behavior of criminals, and the criminal-justice system.
Industry: Sociology
Add a new termContributors in Criminology
Criminology
general theory
Sociology; Criminology
One which attempts to explain all (or at least most) forms of criminal conduct through a single, overarching approach.
biological theories
Sociology; Criminology
Of criminology maintain that the basic determinants of human behavior, including criminality, are constitutionally or physiologically based and often inherited.
designer drugs
Sociology; Criminology
New substances designed by slightly altering the chemical makeup of other illegal or tightly controlled drugs.
secondary research
Sociology; Criminology
New evaluations of existing information which has already been collected by other researchers.
schizophrenics
Sociology; Criminology
Mentally ill individuals who suffer from disjointed thinking and, possibly, delusions and hallucinations.
tagging
Sociology; Criminology
Like labeling, the process whereby an individual is negatively defined by agencies of justice.
habitual offender statutes
Sociology; Criminology
Laws intended to keep repeat criminal offenders behind bars. These laws sometimes come under the rubric of "three strikes and you're out. "
