ă ⊠Criminology: A Beginners Guide ⊠ă
â°â†Where to Start?
âȘ True Crime - I always recommend if you are just starting to spark an interest in criminology, you give a true crime podcast or tv show a listen/watch. While the people making true crime content are often not always the best to get information from and the genre itself isn't a perfect picture of what criminology is at all, it will give you a reference point. It will also show you if you can handle the gruesome stories and harrowing tales you come across in this line of work.
âȘ Volunteer Work - If you can volunteer at a domestic violence shelter or a homeless shelter you can familiarize yourself with the at-risk population in your area while gaining some helpful skills. Often times, this volunteer work may be at a soup kitchen or pushing pencils, but the environment itself allows you to really see what goes on and how people treat these at-risk populations. These people are most likely to experience or have already experienced some form of violence. Showing them some compassion is also a great way to give back to the community while building your resume.
âȘ The Library - Don't underestimate the power of a library. I have found textbooks, novels, DVDs, and more on the topic of crime and criminal justice. These can be really helpful for you to familiarize yourself with how some systems may work in the line of duty while indulging in some relaxing time with a book or movie.
â°â†Learning the Basics
âȘ Social Learning Theory - "a theory of social behavior that proposes that new behaviors can be acquired by observing and imitating others. It states that learning is a cognitive process that takes place in a social context and can occur purely through observation or direct instruction, even in the absence of motor reproduction or direct reinforcement."
âȘ Conflict Theories - "perspectives in political philosophy and sociology which argue that individuals and groups (social classes) within society interact on the basis of conflict rather than agreement, while also emphasizing social psychology, historical materialism, power dynamics, and their roles in creating power structures, social movements, and social arrangements within a society. Conflict theories often draw attention to power differentials, such as class conflict, or a conflict continuum"
âȘ Labeling Theory - "posits that self-identity and the behavior of individuals may be determined or influenced by the terms used to describe or classify them. It is associated with the concepts of self-fulfilling prophecy and stereotyping. Labeling theory holds that deviance is not inherent in an act, but instead focuses on the tendency of majorities to negatively label minorities or those seen as deviant from standard cultural norms"
âȘ Strain Theory - "states that society puts pressure on individuals to achieve socially accepted goals (such as the American Dream), even though they lack the means to do so. This leads to strain, which may lead individuals to commit crimes, like selling drugs or becoming involved in prostitution as a means to gain financial security."
âȘ Rational Choice Theory - "postulates that an individual will perform a costâbenefit analysis to determine whether an option is right for them. Rational choice theory looks at three concepts: rational actors, self interest and the invisible hand."
â°â†Helpful Knowledge
âȘ Law and Government - understanding the law even on a basic level will be very helpful when dealing with crime and punishment discussions.
âȘ Psychology and Sociology - psychology and sociology are perfect sisters to criminology. you can't really have criminology without them, and therefor a lot of perspectives and theories are based off of theories found in psych and soc. with a base level understanding of these two subjects, you will likely cling to topics in criminology much easier than someone else who may just be starting with a blank slate.
â°â†Other Criminology Masterposts:
âȘ Criminology: An Intro
âȘ Criminology: The Texts
âȘ Criminology: Free Resources
âȘ Criminology: Notable Figures
âȘ Criminology: Study Tips
âȘ Criminology: Tools of the Trade
