Answer to Question 1
tested by further investigation.
o A theory is an explanation of a happening or circumstance that is based on observation, experimentation, and reasoning.
o If criminologists find a hypothesis to be valid, it may be accepted as a theory. This process is known as the scientific method.
o Scientific method allows criminologists to systematically and scientifically explore the validity of their various explanations for criminal offending.
Answer to Question 2
o offenders and victims.
Official crime data indicates a strong correlation between minority status and
o crime.
o Race is a controversial area in criminal justice.
Race may not be as strong a predictor of criminal behavior as neighborhood and
o family conditions.
o Income level is more important than race when it comes to crime trend.
o Lack of education also seems to correlate with criminal behavior.
o It is important to note however, that poverty does not cause crime.
Most crime research seems to focus on white or blacks and not ethnic or
o cultural background.
This will change in the future as the Hispanic population will account for one-
o third of the U.S. population by 2050.
The steps of the scientific method, also known as hypothesis testing
Jacob, Monod, and Pardee's hypothesis for the function of the lacI region
The intermediate-disturbance hypothesis of community organization.
Leininger's Culutral Care Theory
European Culture in a Global Context
Criminology Today: An Integrative Introduction