In chapter one of the textbook Criminological Theory the Essentials by Stephen G. Tibbetts it discusses three methods of measuring crime, Uniform Crime Report (UCR), the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS), and self-report data (SRD) (Tibbetts, 2012, p. 11).
The Uniform Crime Report (UCR) is an annual report dating back to the1930s consisting of police reports and arrest in the United States (Tibbetts, 2012, p. 12). This is very useful when looking at crimes such as murder and motor vehicle theft, because those two are almost always reported. However, minor crimes may not be reported as often so the UCR only has reports of around 10% of minor crimes (Tibbetts, 2012, p. 12). While the UCR may have some gaps in data, I still think it …show more content…
Tibbetts it also discusses two formal criminological theories, Classical School and Positive School and one that is starting to emerge, integrated theoretical models (Tibbetts, 2012, p. 4-5). The Classical School perspective believes that people have free will so when they commit a crime they thought of consequences and made a rational decision to commit the crime (Tibbetts, 2012, p. 5). The Positive School perspective believes that people do not have free will so people do not choose their behavior, which would include crime behavior (Tibbetts, 2012, p. 5). An emerging theory is the integrated theoretical model, which tries to combine the Classical School and Positive school perspective into one theory (Tibbetts, 2012, p. 5). As a person I like to believe that I have free will so I agree more with the Classical School perspective. However, I do understand that positive and negative reinforcement and our SES has an affect on our action so I would be willing to agree with an integrated theoretical model. I feel like Classical School perspective does not take SES into account, while Positive School perspective may take SES too much into
The Uniform Crime Report (UCR) is an annual report dating back to the1930s consisting of police reports and arrest in the United States (Tibbetts, 2012, p. 12). This is very useful when looking at crimes such as murder and motor vehicle theft, because those two are almost always reported. However, minor crimes may not be reported as often so the UCR only has reports of around 10% of minor crimes (Tibbetts, 2012, p. 12). While the UCR may have some gaps in data, I still think it …show more content…
Tibbetts it also discusses two formal criminological theories, Classical School and Positive School and one that is starting to emerge, integrated theoretical models (Tibbetts, 2012, p. 4-5). The Classical School perspective believes that people have free will so when they commit a crime they thought of consequences and made a rational decision to commit the crime (Tibbetts, 2012, p. 5). The Positive School perspective believes that people do not have free will so people do not choose their behavior, which would include crime behavior (Tibbetts, 2012, p. 5). An emerging theory is the integrated theoretical model, which tries to combine the Classical School and Positive school perspective into one theory (Tibbetts, 2012, p. 5). As a person I like to believe that I have free will so I agree more with the Classical School perspective. However, I do understand that positive and negative reinforcement and our SES has an affect on our action so I would be willing to agree with an integrated theoretical model. I feel like Classical School perspective does not take SES into account, while Positive School perspective may take SES too much into