criminology

CheckPoint

Social Structure Crime

Locate an example of a crime that may be explained by social structure theories.

Use the Internet, newspaper, or any resource detailing the crime.

Post a 200- to 300-word response to the following questions:

How did the socioeconomic status of the criminal affect his or her decision to commit the crime?

What might have been done to prevent this crime from occurring?

Diversion Program

Locate a diversion program in your community, such as at a school, a community service agency, or a city recreational center.

Post a 200- to 300-word response describing the purpose, target population, and results of the program. Discuss how diversion programs like this one are related to social process theories.

Individual

Socialization and Criminal Behavior

Resources: truTV’s Crime Library at www.crimelibrary.com

Locate a criminal from truTV’s Crime Library at one of the following links: Serial Killers; Notorious Murders; Criminal Mind; or Terrorists & Spies, and Gangsters.

Read the biography of your chosen criminal.

Write a 700- to 1,050-word paper in which you discuss the link between socialization references in the research you conduct and the theories in the text. The criminal biography you locate may not explicitly discuss the link, so read carefully. You may use additional resources to research the criminal.

Answer the following questions in your paper:

What kind of family life did the criminal have?

What educational background did he or she have?

What type of peer relations did he or she have?

What measures, if any, might have been taken to avoid this crime?

In your opinion, how strong is the link between social forces and crime? Explain your answer.

Include at least three citations and references supporting your opinion.

Format your paper consistent with APA guidelines.