Criteria for Evaluating Theory Although there are many theories that are evaluated, only a number of them are considered good theories based on certain evaluation criterion that is met. Too be considered a good theory there are several evaluation criterion that need to be met such as the logical consistency, testability and empirical validity. The logical consistency has two elements, the scope and parsimony, both are interrelated. The scope of a theory refers to the range of explanation (Akers & Sellers, 2013, p. 5). If the scope of a theory is limited then the theory itself is limited. For example, if a theory only focuses on one crime rather than several crimes then the scope of the theory may be limited. In addition to scope, parsimony
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14). From there, it was established that actions are taken and decisions are made by persons in the rational exercise of free will (Akers & Sellers, 2013, p. 15). Finally, Modern Deterrence Theory focuses on the principles of certainty, severity and celerity of punishment; proportionality; and specific and general deterrence (Akers & Sellers, 2013, p. 16). Modern Deterrence Theory’s independent variable is punishment, specifically more punishment. The dependent variable is deterrence of crime. The intervening variables of this theory are the certainty, severity and swiftness of the punishment. The underlying hypotheses of this theory is the more punishment there is, the less crime there should be, the more people believe they will be punished, the less crime there should be and the more offenders are watched and threatened with punishment, the less crime there should be.
Theory of the Born …show more content…
79). This theory can be used to explain the disproportionate gender distribution of crime, mainly focusing on why males are overrepresented in majority of crimes. As the theory suggests, criminal behavior is learned through interaction with others. Most males, in their adolescent years, spend a lot of time with their peers. Also, a substantial amount of this time is spent away from home. As a result, it puts males in a position to engage in behavior they may not at home. In addition, if one or more of their peers are engaging in criminal activity the more likely they are going to engage in the same type of criminal behavior. For example, in an intimate group of peers if one individual is engaging in criminal activity and is expressing favorable violation of the law, the more likely the other individuals in that group will start to engage in those activities as well. More specifically, if one individual in the group is selling drugs and has lots of money, where as the other individuals don’t, they might be intrigued by the money which would eventually lead them to start selling drugs because they learned of the benefits associated with selling drugs. As a result, their criminal behavior has been learned based on the reinforcement of the favorable violation of the
14). From there, it was established that actions are taken and decisions are made by persons in the rational exercise of free will (Akers & Sellers, 2013, p. 15). Finally, Modern Deterrence Theory focuses on the principles of certainty, severity and celerity of punishment; proportionality; and specific and general deterrence (Akers & Sellers, 2013, p. 16). Modern Deterrence Theory’s independent variable is punishment, specifically more punishment. The dependent variable is deterrence of crime. The intervening variables of this theory are the certainty, severity and swiftness of the punishment. The underlying hypotheses of this theory is the more punishment there is, the less crime there should be, the more people believe they will be punished, the less crime there should be and the more offenders are watched and threatened with punishment, the less crime there should be.
Theory of the Born …show more content…
79). This theory can be used to explain the disproportionate gender distribution of crime, mainly focusing on why males are overrepresented in majority of crimes. As the theory suggests, criminal behavior is learned through interaction with others. Most males, in their adolescent years, spend a lot of time with their peers. Also, a substantial amount of this time is spent away from home. As a result, it puts males in a position to engage in behavior they may not at home. In addition, if one or more of their peers are engaging in criminal activity the more likely they are going to engage in the same type of criminal behavior. For example, in an intimate group of peers if one individual is engaging in criminal activity and is expressing favorable violation of the law, the more likely the other individuals in that group will start to engage in those activities as well. More specifically, if one individual in the group is selling drugs and has lots of money, where as the other individuals don’t, they might be intrigued by the money which would eventually lead them to start selling drugs because they learned of the benefits associated with selling drugs. As a result, their criminal behavior has been learned based on the reinforcement of the favorable violation of the