SECTION II – THEORIES OF CRIME AND DEVIANCE

Section II includes six modules: (1) Classical and Rational Choice Theories, (2) Psychology of Crime, (3) Social Structure and Crime, (4) Social Process and Crime, (5) Critical Approaches to Law and Crime, and (6) Crime Over the Life-Course. Collectively, these six modules attempt to incite critical thinking about crime and deviance as theorized by various scholars with a focus on the work of sociologists and criminologists. Modules present several theories that attempt to explain the causes and patterns of criminal behavior and deviance in society. It’s essential to recognize that these theories are not mutually exclusive, and criminal behavior and deviance often result from a combination of factors. Sociologists and criminologists continue to refine and expand these theories to gain a more comprehensive understanding of crime and deviance in society.