Theory

Posted: March 26th, 2020

Theory

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Theory

The Components of Theory

                        Theories seek to explain the scientific reason of a particular phenomenon. Components of a theory are factors that explain a phenomenon and try to understand the behavior caused by it. The explanation of phenomena is defined by the interrelation of the components. For example, in criminology theory the components are sociological, psychological, biological and rational choice. All the component of criminology should to be assessed in order to explain the phenomenon of criminal behavior. Therefore, the components of a theory change with the type of theory.

Philosophical Assumption in all Theories

            Philosophical assumptions are the theoretical frameworks that are put in place by researchers analyze and interpret collected data. The data is collected in accordance with a particular field of study. The philosophical assumption lays the background that is used in forming the decisions and conclusions of a research. There are three typed of assumptions used to develop research methods. The first one is ontological assumption, Epistemological assumption and the axiological assumption (Olson, 2013). The ontological assumption delves on the nature of the reality in the subject being investigated. The researchers use ontological assumption to embrace an idea of multiple realities by assessing multiple forms of evidence. The epistemological assumptions focus on the subjective facts that are collected on the field of study. The researchers in epistemological assumptions try to get as close as possible to the subjects of study. The axiological assumptions illuminate the biases of the researchers and it reports them. Axiological assumptions require the researcher to make their values known. The philosophical assumptions are used to establish whether the behavior being studied is as a consequence of a certain phenomenon.

How Theories are Proven True

            Theories are just mere speculations. However, scientific theories should be substantiated with explanations that are founded on testing and facts. Therefore, a theory that is not scientific can be true even if it is not proven by facts. A theorist is allowed to get some facts right and some fact wrong. A theory is only considered as being false when it is proven to be so by experimentation. A theory is considered to be true until an experiment is done to prove it wrong. It is much more difficult to prove a theory false than true. A theory is considered to be unequivocally true when all efforts to falsify it have fallen.

How Classical Theorist Would Prevent Crime

            The classical theory says that people are rational beings who pursue their self interests with the aim of maximizing pleasure and minimizing pain (Jenkins, 1984). The theory says that crime is caused by natural forces when there is an absence of effective punishment. The theory asserts that a well defined laws and judicial discretion can serve as deterrence. Therefore, the classical theory states that crime can be prevented by setting up appropriate laws and institutions to punish crime. Judicial institutions are the best equipped to punish wrong doers because they dispense a punishment that fits the crime.

Changes to the Classical Theory by the Neoclassicists

            The difference between classic theory and neoclassic theory is that the latter defined crime more broadly. The neoclassic theory understood crime as action that offends the generally accepted standard of morality (Burke, 2013). The thinking is that the society should do more to deter crime than just punishment. The environment should be transformed in ways that mitigate the probability of crime occurring. For example, the government can provide more job opportunities so as to reduce the prevalence of crime. People will be more involved in economic generation activities thereby, preventing them from engaging in unlawful activities.

References:

Olson, H. (2013). Quantitative” versus” qualitative research: The wrong question. In Proceedings of the Annual Conference of CAIS/Actes du congrès annuel de l’ACSI.

Jenkins, P. (1984). Varieties of enlightenment criminology: Beccaria, Godwin, de Sade. The British Journal of Criminology, 24(2), 112-130.

Burke, R. H. (2013). An introduction to criminological theory. Routledge.