MODULE 2: The Origin of

Criminological Theory

Jeysan K.Collo-Abaoag
OBJECTIVES:
After the completion of Module 2 you should be able to:
1.Explain what is theory;
2.Differentiate macro and micro theory of criminal
behavior;
3.Design a diagram on the criteria for evaluating a theory;
4.Discuss the foundation of the criminological theories;
and
5.Compare the different categories of theory.
Jeysan K.Collo-Abaoag
What is theory?

Jeysan K.Collo-Abaoag
According to Bohm and Haley (2008) Theory is an assumption that attempts
to explain why or how things are related to each other.
Vito and Maahs (2015) defined theory as set of principles or statements that
attempt to explain how concepts are related. While Reid (2009) mentioned
that theory is more than an assumption. It involves efforts to test the reality
of thoughts or explanations about how factors (such as gender) related to
phenomenon (such as criminal behavior).
Theories are ideas used to explain facts (Regoli, Hewitt, Delisi, 2017.
According to Seigel and Welsh (2017) a theory can be defined as an abstract
statement that explains why certain phenomena or things do or do not
happen.

Jeysan K.Collo-Abaoag
Theory in simple term, is an explanation of
something. Theories are useful tools that help us to
understand and explain the world around us. In
criminology, they help us to understand the
workings of the criminal justice system and the
actors in the system (Akers and Sellers, 2013).

Jeysan K.Collo-Abaoag
 Classification of Theories
According to their Level of Analysis

Jeysan K.Collo-Abaoag
MACRO LEVEL THEORY
-this theory of criminal behavior attempts to explain
the “big picture” of crime across the world, across a
society or differences in groups.
- It attempts to explain why some neighborhoods have
higher crime rates than others, or why some countries
have higher cases of substance use and abuse.

Jeysan K.Collo-Abaoag
MICRO LEVEL THEORY
- This theory of criminal behavior focuses on a
small group of offenders or on individual crimes.
- This attempt to answer why come individuals
are more likely to commit crime than others.
Other authors have used the terms “individual
conduct” or processual.

Jeysan K.Collo-Abaoag
 Criteria for Evaluating Theory/Characteristics of Good Theory
CRITERIA DESCRIPTION EXAMPLE
1. Parsimony This refer to how simple and concise is the Self-control – it states that a person has a
explained concept of theory. low self-control is often involved in criminal
activity.
1. Scope This refers to the range of phenomena (an A theory that explains only the age
occurrence) that the theory proposes. distribution of crime has a more limited scope
than one that explains the age, race, sex and
class distributions of crime.
1. Logical Consistency Is the extent to which a theory makes The demonological theory states that a
sense in terms of its concepts and person was possessed by an evil spirit the
propositions. It is free from contradiction and reason for the person to commit a crime.
is consistent with the data it is supposed to
explain.
1. Testability It is the extent to which a theory can be Tautology is based on circular reasoning
put to empirical, scientific testing. Some which is impossible to test. Like the lack of
theories simply cannot be tested. conscience as the cause of crime. How can one
test this?
1. Empirical Validity It is the extent to which a theory can be The theory is supported by research.
verified or refuted with carefully gathered
evidence.
1. Policy Implication It is the extent to which a theory can Broken windows theory had an enormous
create realistic and useful guidance for impact on police policy throughout the 1990’s
changing the way that society deals with a and remained influential into the 21st century.
given phenomenon. Perhaps the most notable application of the
theory was in New York City.

Jeysan K.Collo-Abaoag