How has theory changed with the social context? Give an example from the chapter.

What will be an ideal response?


Social context plays a critical role in nourishing certain ways of theorizing about crime. If the prevailing social context changes and people begin to experience life differently, then there will be a corresponding shift in the way in which they see their world and the people in it. Previous theories of crime will lose their appeal, and other perspectives will increasingly make sense to larger numbers of people. Note that all of this can take place--and, indeed, usually does take place--without systematic analysis of whether the old theory actually was wrong or whether the new theory represents an improvement. Could use any of the theories with support evidence as their example.

Criminal Justice

You might also like to view...

Answer the following statements true (T) or false (F)

Organizational tensions within policing arise from officer perceptions that their organization is “capricious, unpredictable and punitive rather than democratic and fair.”

Criminal Justice

Research suggests approximately what percentage of female abuse victims have said they have used the emergency room?

a. 80% b. 60% c. 40% d. 20%

Criminal Justice

For whites, as the majority population in the U.S., the positive meaning given to their skin color has resulted in many social benefits and an increased access to power known as ________________________

Fill in the blank(s) with correct word

Criminal Justice

In Loving v. Virginia (1967), the Supreme Court relied on the ___________ Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment in striking down a state statute that criminalized interracial marriage

Fill in the blank(s) with correct word

Criminal Justice