Criminology is the study of crime from a social perspective, including examining who commits crimes, why they commit them, their impact, and how to prevent them.
Learn more about what it is, how it works, and how it differs from criminal justice.
What Is Criminology?
Criminology is a branch of sociology, which traditionally examines human behavior, interaction, and organization. However, it also ties in research and concepts from other areas of study, such as philosophy, anthropology, biology, and psychology.
Criminologists examine a broad range of topics related to crime. They are dedicated to studying not only the causes of crime but the social roots and impact as well.
The end goal of criminology is to determine the root causes of criminal behavior and to develop effective and humane means for preventing it. These goals have produced several schools of thought within the discipline, each of which looks at different factors involved in deviant behavior and comes to different conclusions about how best to approach the issues.
Criminological theories generally fall into the classical, biological, psychological, or sociological categories. Classical theories explain criminal behavior as a conscious choice by individuals. Biological theories claim that it’s partly determined by certain inherited biological traits. Psychological theories explain criminal behavior as the consequence of factors such as upbringing and childhood experiences. Sociological theories say crime is mostly influenced by a variety of factors in a community, such as systemic oppression and informal social controls.
The field of criminology can lead to improvements across the criminal justice system, including the response to crime and treatment of both victims and criminals. It has also brought some advancements in police tactics and practices, such as community-oriented policing.
People who study criminology can earn a earn a criminology degree. There are also specialized areas of study within the field of criminology, including environmental criminology, feminist criminology, and penology (the study of prisons and prison systems).
How Criminology Works
In essence, criminologists examine every conceivable aspect of deviant behavior. That includes the impacts of crime on individual victims and their families, society at large, and even criminals themselves.
Some of the specific areas that criminology covers include:
Frequency of crimesLocation of crimesCauses of crimesTypes of crimesSocial and individual consequences of crimesSocial reactions to crimeIndividual reactions to crimeGovernmental reactions to crime
Criminologists conduct research and analyze data to help understand, deter, and prevent crime. They also develop theories based on the research they conduct to help translate data into action. Some criminologists also evaluate, develop, and implement criminal justice policies and procedures.
Careers in criminology are plentiful and varied. Earning a degree in the field can open doors to academic pursuits or advanced studies in areas such as forensic psychology or provide a solid foundation for a criminal justice career.
Criminology vs. Criminal Justice
Criminology Criminal Justice
Focuses on the study of crime Focuses on the systems that address crime
Involves a significant amount of research and analysis Involves a smaller amount of research and analysis
Develops theories Puts theories into practice
Criminal justice and criminology are certainly related fields, but they are not identical. Criminal justice focuses on the application of systems that address crime. That includes law enforcement, the judicial system, and the corrections and prison systems. Criminology involves more research, while criminal justice requires more real-world application.
When it comes to education, criminology students generally spend a significant amount of time on research, data collection, and analytical skills. Criminal justice students generally spend more time learning about the justice system and the application of it, although the exact curriculum differs between schools.
Key Takeaways
Criminology is the study of crime and is a branch of sociology.It involves research into and analysis of who commits crimes, why they commit them, their impact, and how to prevent them.The goal of criminology is to determine the root causes of criminal behavior and to develop effective and humane means for addressing and preventing it.Criminology is related to but not identical to the field of criminal justice.
The Difference Between Careers in Criminology and Criminal Justice
Criminal Justice and Criminology Careers
Learn About Criminal Justice
What Can You Do With a Criminology Degree?
Find out What Criminology Jobs Pay
What Does a Criminologist Do?
Criminologist Salary and Criminal Justice Career Info
What Degree Do You Need for a Forensic Science Career?
What Does a Crime Analyst Do?
What Does a Forensic Psychologist Do?
Careers in Forensic Science
What Does a Forensic Toxicologist Do?
Important Criminal Justice Skills That Employers Value
What Does a Prison Warden Do?
What to Do With a Degree in Criminal Justice
Salary Expectations in Criminal Justice Careers
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Criminology is the study of crime from a social perspective, including examining who commits crimes, why they commit them, their impact, and how to prevent them.
Learn more about what it is, how it works, and how it differs from criminal justice.
What Is Criminology?
Criminology is a branch of sociology, which traditionally examines human behavior, interaction, and organization. However, it also ties in research and concepts from other areas of study, such as philosophy, anthropology, biology, and psychology.
Criminologists examine a broad range of topics related to crime. They are dedicated to studying not only the causes of crime but the social roots and impact as well.
The end goal of criminology is to determine the root causes of criminal behavior and to develop effective and humane means for preventing it. These goals have produced several schools of thought within the discipline, each of which looks at different factors involved in deviant behavior and comes to different conclusions about how best to approach the issues.
Criminological theories generally fall into the classical, biological, psychological, or sociological categories. Classical theories explain criminal behavior as a conscious choice by individuals. Biological theories claim that it’s partly determined by certain inherited biological traits. Psychological theories explain criminal behavior as the consequence of factors such as upbringing and childhood experiences. Sociological theories say crime is mostly influenced by a variety of factors in a community, such as systemic oppression and informal social controls.
The field of criminology can lead to improvements across the criminal justice system, including the response to crime and treatment of both victims and criminals. It has also brought some advancements in police tactics and practices, such as community-oriented policing.
People who study criminology can earn a earn a criminology degree. There are also specialized areas of study within the field of criminology, including environmental criminology, feminist criminology, and penology (the study of prisons and prison systems).
How Criminology Works
In essence, criminologists examine every conceivable aspect of deviant behavior. That includes the impacts of crime on individual victims and their families, society at large, and even criminals themselves.
Some of the specific areas that criminology covers include:
Frequency of crimesLocation of crimesCauses of crimesTypes of crimesSocial and individual consequences of crimesSocial reactions to crimeIndividual reactions to crimeGovernmental reactions to crime
Criminologists conduct research and analyze data to help understand, deter, and prevent crime. They also develop theories based on the research they conduct to help translate data into action. Some criminologists also evaluate, develop, and implement criminal justice policies and procedures.
Careers in criminology are plentiful and varied. Earning a degree in the field can open doors to academic pursuits or advanced studies in areas such as forensic psychology or provide a solid foundation for a criminal justice career.
Criminology vs. Criminal Justice
Criminology Criminal Justice
Focuses on the study of crime Focuses on the systems that address crime
Involves a significant amount of research and analysis Involves a smaller amount of research and analysis
Develops theories Puts theories into practice
Criminal justice and criminology are certainly related fields, but they are not identical. Criminal justice focuses on the application of systems that address crime. That includes law enforcement, the judicial system, and the corrections and prison systems. Criminology involves more research, while criminal justice requires more real-world application.
When it comes to education, criminology students generally spend a significant amount of time on research, data collection, and analytical skills. Criminal justice students generally spend more time learning about the justice system and the application of it, although the exact curriculum differs between schools.
Key Takeaways
Criminology is the study of crime and is a branch of sociology.It involves research into and analysis of who commits crimes, why they commit them, their impact, and how to prevent them.The goal of criminology is to determine the root causes of criminal behavior and to develop effective and humane means for addressing and preventing it.Criminology is related to but not identical to the field of criminal justice.
The Difference Between Careers in Criminology and Criminal Justice
Criminal Justice and Criminology Careers
Learn About Criminal Justice
What Can You Do With a Criminology Degree?
Find out What Criminology Jobs Pay
What Does a Criminologist Do?
Criminologist Salary and Criminal Justice Career Info
What Degree Do You Need for a Forensic Science Career?
What Does a Crime Analyst Do?
What Does a Forensic Psychologist Do?
Careers in Forensic Science
What Does a Forensic Toxicologist Do?
Important Criminal Justice Skills That Employers Value
What Does a Prison Warden Do?
What to Do With a Degree in Criminal Justice
Salary Expectations in Criminal Justice Careers
When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. Cookies Settings Reject All Accept Cookies
Criminology is the study of crime from a social perspective, including examining who commits crimes, why they commit them, their impact, and how to prevent them.
Learn more about what it is, how it works, and how it differs from criminal justice.
What Is Criminology?
Criminology is a branch of sociology, which traditionally examines human behavior, interaction, and organization. However, it also ties in research and concepts from other areas of study, such as philosophy, anthropology, biology, and psychology.
Criminologists examine a broad range of topics related to crime. They are dedicated to studying not only the causes of crime but the social roots and impact as well.
The end goal of criminology is to determine the root causes of criminal behavior and to develop effective and humane means for preventing it. These goals have produced several schools of thought within the discipline, each of which looks at different factors involved in deviant behavior and comes to different conclusions about how best to approach the issues.
Criminological theories generally fall into the classical, biological, psychological, or sociological categories. Classical theories explain criminal behavior as a conscious choice by individuals. Biological theories claim that it’s partly determined by certain inherited biological traits. Psychological theories explain criminal behavior as the consequence of factors such as upbringing and childhood experiences. Sociological theories say crime is mostly influenced by a variety of factors in a community, such as systemic oppression and informal social controls.
The field of criminology can lead to improvements across the criminal justice system, including the response to crime and treatment of both victims and criminals. It has also brought some advancements in police tactics and practices, such as community-oriented policing.
People who study criminology can earn a earn a criminology degree. There are also specialized areas of study within the field of criminology, including environmental criminology, feminist criminology, and penology (the study of prisons and prison systems).
How Criminology Works
In essence, criminologists examine every conceivable aspect of deviant behavior. That includes the impacts of crime on individual victims and their families, society at large, and even criminals themselves.
Some of the specific areas that criminology covers include:
Frequency of crimesLocation of crimesCauses of crimesTypes of crimesSocial and individual consequences of crimesSocial reactions to crimeIndividual reactions to crimeGovernmental reactions to crime
Criminologists conduct research and analyze data to help understand, deter, and prevent crime. They also develop theories based on the research they conduct to help translate data into action. Some criminologists also evaluate, develop, and implement criminal justice policies and procedures.
Careers in criminology are plentiful and varied. Earning a degree in the field can open doors to academic pursuits or advanced studies in areas such as forensic psychology or provide a solid foundation for a criminal justice career.
Criminology vs. Criminal Justice
Criminology Criminal Justice
Focuses on the study of crime Focuses on the systems that address crime
Involves a significant amount of research and analysis Involves a smaller amount of research and analysis
Develops theories Puts theories into practice
Criminal justice and criminology are certainly related fields, but they are not identical. Criminal justice focuses on the application of systems that address crime. That includes law enforcement, the judicial system, and the corrections and prison systems. Criminology involves more research, while criminal justice requires more real-world application.
When it comes to education, criminology students generally spend a significant amount of time on research, data collection, and analytical skills. Criminal justice students generally spend more time learning about the justice system and the application of it, although the exact curriculum differs between schools.
Key Takeaways
Criminology is the study of crime and is a branch of sociology.It involves research into and analysis of who commits crimes, why they commit them, their impact, and how to prevent them.The goal of criminology is to determine the root causes of criminal behavior and to develop effective and humane means for addressing and preventing it.Criminology is related to but not identical to the field of criminal justice.
Criminology is the study of crime from a social perspective, including examining who commits crimes, why they commit them, their impact, and how to prevent them.
Learn more about what it is, how it works, and how it differs from criminal justice.
What Is Criminology?
Criminology is a branch of sociology, which traditionally examines human behavior, interaction, and organization. However, it also ties in research and concepts from other areas of study, such as philosophy, anthropology, biology, and psychology.
Criminologists examine a broad range of topics related to crime. They are dedicated to studying not only the causes of crime but the social roots and impact as well.
The end goal of criminology is to determine the root causes of criminal behavior and to develop effective and humane means for preventing it. These goals have produced several schools of thought within the discipline, each of which looks at different factors involved in deviant behavior and comes to different conclusions about how best to approach the issues.
Criminological theories generally fall into the classical, biological, psychological, or sociological categories. Classical theories explain criminal behavior as a conscious choice by individuals. Biological theories claim that it’s partly determined by certain inherited biological traits. Psychological theories explain criminal behavior as the consequence of factors such as upbringing and childhood experiences. Sociological theories say crime is mostly influenced by a variety of factors in a community, such as systemic oppression and informal social controls.
The field of criminology can lead to improvements across the criminal justice system, including the response to crime and treatment of both victims and criminals. It has also brought some advancements in police tactics and practices, such as community-oriented policing.
People who study criminology can earn a earn a criminology degree. There are also specialized areas of study within the field of criminology, including environmental criminology, feminist criminology, and penology (the study of prisons and prison systems).
How Criminology Works
In essence, criminologists examine every conceivable aspect of deviant behavior. That includes the impacts of crime on individual victims and their families, society at large, and even criminals themselves.
People who study criminology can earn a earn a criminology degree. There are also specialized areas of study within the field of criminology, including environmental criminology, feminist criminology, and penology (the study of prisons and prison systems).
People who study criminology can earn a earn a criminology degree. There are also specialized areas of study within the field of criminology, including environmental criminology, feminist criminology, and penology (the study of prisons and prison systems).
Some of the specific areas that criminology covers include:
- Frequency of crimesLocation of crimesCauses of crimesTypes of crimesSocial and individual consequences of crimesSocial reactions to crimeIndividual reactions to crimeGovernmental reactions to crime
Criminologists conduct research and analyze data to help understand, deter, and prevent crime. They also develop theories based on the research they conduct to help translate data into action. Some criminologists also evaluate, develop, and implement criminal justice policies and procedures.
Careers in criminology are plentiful and varied. Earning a degree in the field can open doors to academic pursuits or advanced studies in areas such as forensic psychology or provide a solid foundation for a criminal justice career.
Criminology vs. Criminal Justice
Careers in criminology are plentiful and varied. Earning a degree in the field can open doors to academic pursuits or advanced studies in areas such as forensic psychology or provide a solid foundation for a criminal justice career.
Careers in criminology are plentiful and varied. Earning a degree in the field can open doors to academic pursuits or advanced studies in areas such as forensic psychology or provide a solid foundation for a criminal justice career.
Criminology Criminal Justice
Focuses on the study of crime Focuses on the systems that address crime
Involves a significant amount of research and analysis Involves a smaller amount of research and analysis
Develops theories Puts theories into practice
Criminal justice and criminology are certainly related fields, but they are not identical. Criminal justice focuses on the application of systems that address crime. That includes law enforcement, the judicial system, and the corrections and prison systems. Criminology involves more research, while criminal justice requires more real-world application.
When it comes to education, criminology students generally spend a significant amount of time on research, data collection, and analytical skills. Criminal justice students generally spend more time learning about the justice system and the application of it, although the exact curriculum differs between schools.
Key Takeaways
Criminology is the study of crime and is a branch of sociology.It involves research into and analysis of who commits crimes, why they commit them, their impact, and how to prevent them.The goal of criminology is to determine the root causes of criminal behavior and to develop effective and humane means for addressing and preventing it.Criminology is related to but not identical to the field of criminal justice.
Criminal justice and criminology are certainly related fields, but they are not identical. Criminal justice focuses on the application of systems that address crime. That includes law enforcement, the judicial system, and the corrections and prison systems. Criminology involves more research, while criminal justice requires more real-world application.
When it comes to education, criminology students generally spend a significant amount of time on research, data collection, and analytical skills. Criminal justice students generally spend more time learning about the justice system and the application of it, although the exact curriculum differs between schools.
Key Takeaways
Criminology is the study of crime and is a branch of sociology.It involves research into and analysis of who commits crimes, why they commit them, their impact, and how to prevent them.The goal of criminology is to determine the root causes of criminal behavior and to develop effective and humane means for addressing and preventing it.Criminology is related to but not identical to the field of criminal justice.
Key Takeaways
Criminology is the study of crime and is a branch of sociology.It involves research into and analysis of who commits crimes, why they commit them, their impact, and how to prevent them.The goal of criminology is to determine the root causes of criminal behavior and to develop effective and humane means for addressing and preventing it.Criminology is related to but not identical to the field of criminal justice.
Criminology is the study of crime and is a branch of sociology.It involves research into and analysis of who commits crimes, why they commit them, their impact, and how to prevent them.The goal of criminology is to determine the root causes of criminal behavior and to develop effective and humane means for addressing and preventing it.Criminology is related to but not identical to the field of criminal justice.
The Difference Between Careers in Criminology and Criminal Justice
Criminal Justice and Criminology Careers
Learn About Criminal Justice
What Can You Do With a Criminology Degree?
Find out What Criminology Jobs Pay
What Does a Criminologist Do?
Criminologist Salary and Criminal Justice Career Info
What Degree Do You Need for a Forensic Science Career?
What Does a Crime Analyst Do?
What Does a Forensic Psychologist Do?
Careers in Forensic Science
What Does a Forensic Toxicologist Do?
Important Criminal Justice Skills That Employers Value
What Does a Prison Warden Do?
What to Do With a Degree in Criminal Justice
Salary Expectations in Criminal Justice Careers
The Difference Between Careers in Criminology and Criminal Justice
The Difference Between Careers in Criminology and Criminal Justice
Criminal Justice and Criminology Careers
Criminal Justice and Criminology Careers
Learn About Criminal Justice
Learn About Criminal Justice
What Can You Do With a Criminology Degree?
What Can You Do With a Criminology Degree?
Find out What Criminology Jobs Pay
Find out What Criminology Jobs Pay
What Does a Criminologist Do?
What Does a Criminologist Do?
Criminologist Salary and Criminal Justice Career Info
Criminologist Salary and Criminal Justice Career Info
What Degree Do You Need for a Forensic Science Career?
What Degree Do You Need for a Forensic Science Career?
What Does a Crime Analyst Do?
What Does a Crime Analyst Do?
What Does a Forensic Psychologist Do?
What Does a Forensic Psychologist Do?
Careers in Forensic Science
Careers in Forensic Science
What Does a Forensic Toxicologist Do?
What Does a Forensic Toxicologist Do?
Important Criminal Justice Skills That Employers Value
Important Criminal Justice Skills That Employers Value
What Does a Prison Warden Do?
What Does a Prison Warden Do?
What to Do With a Degree in Criminal Justice
What to Do With a Degree in Criminal Justice
Salary Expectations in Criminal Justice Careers
Salary Expectations in Criminal Justice Careers
Home
Entertainment
Careers
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About Us Advertise Careers Privacy Policy Editorial Guidelines Contact Terms of Use EU Privacy
LiveAbout is part of the Dotdash Meredith publishing family.
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About Us Advertise Careers Privacy Policy Editorial Guidelines Contact Terms of Use EU Privacy
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EU Privacy
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LiveAbout is part of the Dotdash Meredith publishing family.
When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. Cookies Settings Reject All Accept Cookies
