Free Printable Worksheets for learning Criminology at the College level

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Criminology: Key Concepts and Definitions

Definition

Criminology is the scientific study of crime, criminals, and the criminal justice system. This also includes the social, cultural, and economic factors that contribute to the commission of crimes.

Key Concepts

Crime - an act or omission that violates a law and is punishable by law
Criminal - a person who has committed a crime
Criminal Justice System - the societal institutions such as law enforcement, courts of law, and correctional facilities that aim to prevent and respond to crime
Deviance - an action or behavior that goes against societal norms
Social Control - societal mechanisms that regulate individual and group behavior
Criminological theories - explanations of crime and criminal behavior that guide the study of criminology.

Criminological Theories

Classical Theory - crime is a rational decision made by individuals who weigh the potential gains and consequences of their actions
Biological Theory - criminal behavior is inherited and can be traced to biological factors such as genetics, brain structure, and hormonal differences
Psychological Theory - criminal behavior is the result of psychological issues such as personality disorders, lack of impulse control, and childhood trauma
Sociological Theory - crime is a result of societal factors such as poverty, inequality, and social disorganization
Critical Theory - the law and criminal justice system are used to maintain power and control over marginalized groups

Important Information

Crime rates vary widely across different geographical areas and demographic groups.
The criminal justice system is composed of various agencies and institutions that work together to respond to crime.
The criminal justice system is not perfect and can perpetuate racial and social inequalities.
Understanding the root causes of crime is essential in preventing and responding to criminal behavior.

Summary

Criminology is the scientific study of crime and criminal behavior that includes various theories and contributes to the criminal justice system.
Key concepts include crime, the criminal justice system, and theories of criminal behavior.
Societal factors and individual differences contribute to the commission of crime.
The criminal justice system is an imperfect system that varies widely in its effectiveness and impact.

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Word	Definition
Crime	An illegal activity punishable by law.
Deviant	Behavior that violates standards of conduct or expectations of society.
Justice	The principle of fairness, consistency, and impartiality in the administration of law.
Delinquent	A person who has committed a crime and is below the age limit of criminal responsibility.
Felony	A serious crime, typically punishable by imprisonment for more than one year or by death.
Rehabilitation	The process of restoring an offender to a useful and constructive place in society through correctional programs.
Juvenile	A person who has not reached the age of legal adulthood.
Criminologist	A person who studies crime and criminals.
Parole	The early release of a prisoner from prison, subject to conditions set by a parole board.
Incarceration	The state of being confined in prison.
Probation	A period of supervision over an offender, ordered by the court instead of serving time in prison.
Deterrence	The idea that the threat of punishment will discourage or prevent people from committing crimes.
Homicide	The deliberate and unlawful killing of one person by another.
Burglary	The illegal entry of a building to commit a crime, usually theft.
Cybercrime	Criminal activities carried out using computers or the internet.
Fraud	Wrongful or criminal deception intended to result in financial or personal gain.
Forgery	The action of forging or producing a copy of a document, signature, banknote, or work of art.
Embezzlement	The theft or misappropriation of funds placed in someone's trust or belonging to the organization.
Robbery	The action of taking property unlawfully from a person or place by force or threat of force.
Assault	A physical attack or threat of attack.
Battery	The crime or tort of unconsented physical contact with another person.

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Study Guide: Criminology

Introduction

Criminology is an interdisciplinary social science that focuses on the study of crime and criminal behavior. As a student of Criminology, it is essential to understand the key concepts and principles of the subject. This study guide will help you understand Criminology and be successful in your coursework.

Important Concepts

What is Crime?

Crime is any behavior that is prohibited by law and has a punishment attached to it.
It is necessary to understand the different types of crime such as violent, property, and white-collar crime.

Theories of Crime

Understanding the different theories of crime is necessary to comprehend why people commit crimes.
Some of the popular theories of crime are Rational Choice Theory, Social Disorganization Theory, and Strain Theory.

Criminal Justice System

The criminal justice system is the framework put in place by the government to deal with crimes and criminals.
The system is made up of three distinct components: law enforcement, courts, and corrections.

Key Topics

Law Enforcement Agencies

Understanding the role of law enforcement agencies is critical.
The agencies involved in maintaining law and order are police departments, federal agencies, and private security firms.

The Court System

The court system is responsible for interpreting the law, determining innocence or guilt, and punishing offenders.
The court system is made up of local, state, and federal courts.

Corrections

The correctional system is responsible for carrying out the punishment handed down by the courts.
The system is made up of different types of facilities like prisons, jails, and halfway houses.

Study Tips

Attend all your classes and pay attention to your professor's lectures.
Take thorough notes and have a good understanding of the concepts discussed in class.
Create visual aids such as mind maps, infographics, or diagrams to help you better understand the material.
Review your notes after each class and make any necessary corrections.
Read the assigned materials and research on the topic to gain a deeper understanding of the subject.
Practice active recall by testing yourself, quizzing yourself, and reviewing past exams.

Resources

Textbooks:
- Criminology Today by Frank J. Schmalleger
- Criminology: The Essentials by Anthony Walsh and Cody Jorgensen
Websites:
- National Institute of Justice: www.nij.gov
- Department of Justice: www.justice.gov
- American Society of Criminology: www.asc41.com

Here's some sample Criminology practice sheets Sign in to generate your own practice sheet worksheet.

Practice Sheet for Criminology

Define Criminology and its subdivisions.
What is meant by the term Classical Criminology? Explain its principles.
What is the difference between Positivist Criminology and Classical Criminology?
Explain the key principles of Routine Activities Theory.
How is Differential Association Theory different from other sociological theories of crime?
What is meant by the term Social Disorganization Theory?
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the Labeling Theory in explaining criminal behavior.
What is meant by the term Critical Criminology?
How do cultural norms impact criminal behavior according to Cultural Deviance Theory?
Explain the Feminist Criminology approach and its criticism of mainstream criminology.

Sample Practice Problem

A criminal justice student is studying Criminology, which is a branch of criminal justice.

The student needs to identify the three main areas of Criminology.

Step 1: Understand the definition of Criminology.

Criminology is the scientific study of crime, criminals, criminal behavior, and the criminal justice system.

Step 2: Identify the three main areas of Criminology.

The three main areas of Criminology are:

Crime causation: Examines the causes of criminal behavior and how it can be prevented.
Crime control: Investigates the ways in which crime can be controlled, such as through the use of law enforcement and the criminal justice system.
Crime prevention: Focuses on strategies to prevent crime from occurring in the first place.

Practice Problems

What is the definition of Criminology?
What are the three main areas of Criminology?
What is the purpose of the criminal justice system?
What are some strategies for crime prevention?
What are the differences between criminal and deviant behavior?
What is the relationship between crime and social structure?
What is the role of the media in shaping public perceptions of crime?
What is the role of the criminal justice system in responding to crime?
How do theories of crime causation help to explain criminal behavior?
What are the ethical considerations in researching criminal behavior?

Practice Sheet for Learning Criminology

1. What is the difference between a criminal justice system and a criminological system?

2. What are the three main components of the criminal justice system?

3. Name two types of crime that are considered to be white collar crimes.

4. What is the difference between a crime of opportunity and a premeditated crime?

5. What is the difference between a felony and a misdemeanor?

6. What is the difference between a criminal justice system and a civil justice system?

7. What is the role of the police in the criminal justice system?

8. What is the difference between criminal law and civil law?

9. What is the difference between a criminal offense and a civil offense?

10. What is the difference between criminal justice and criminology?

Here's some sample Criminology quizzes Sign in to generate your own quiz worksheet.

Problem	Answer
What is the difference between deviance and crime?	Deviance refers to behavior that violates social norms and expectations, while crime refers to behavior that violates laws.
What is the social control theory?	Social control theory posits that individuals who lack strong bonds to societal institutions are more likely to engage in criminal behavior.
What is the difference between white-collar crime and street crime?	White-collar crime refers to financially motivated nonviolent crime committed by individuals or corporations, while street crime refers to violent or property crime committed by individuals in public spaces.
What is the broken windows theory?	The broken windows theory posits that visible signs of disorder and disrepair in a community (like broken windows) can lead to an increase in crime.
What is the difference between retribution and rehabilitation?	Retribution is the idea that punishment should be proportional to the harm caused by the crime, while rehabilitation seeks to reform and reintegrate offenders into society.
What is the difference between mala in se and mala prohibita offenses?	Mala in se offenses are considered inherently immoral and wrong (murder, theft), while mala prohibita offenses are considered wrong because they are prohibited by law (driving without a license, using drugs).
What is the difference between a felony and a misdemeanor?	Felonies are serious crimes that can result in a prison sentence of over a year, while misdemeanors are less serious crimes that usually result in a fine or short jail sentence.
What is the social disorganization theory?	Social disorganization theory posits that communities with weak social ties and high levels of poverty are more likely to experience high levels of crime.
What is the difference between traditional criminology and critical criminology?	Traditional criminology focuses on the individual and their actions, while critical criminology examines the broader societal and systemic factors that contribute to crime.
What is the difference between the juvenile justice system and the adult justice system?	The juvenile justice system is focused on rehabilitation and treatment, while the adult justice system is focused on punishment and retribution.

Quiz:

Problem	Answer
What is Criminology?	Criminology is the scientific study of crime and criminal behavior, including its causes, consequences, and prevention.
What are the three main categories of crime?	The three main categories of crime are crimes against persons, property crimes, and public order crimes.
What is the difference between a crime and a tort?	The difference between a crime and a tort is that a crime is an act that is prohibited by law, while a tort is a civil wrong that is not prohibited by law.
What is the difference between a felony and a misdemeanor?	The difference between a felony and a misdemeanor is that a felony is a serious crime that is punishable by more than one year in prison, while a misdemeanor is a less serious crime that is punishable by up to one year in prison.
What is the difference between a criminal act and a criminal intent?	The difference between a criminal act and a criminal intent is that a criminal act is an act that is prohibited by law, while a criminal intent is a state of mind required to commit a crime.
What is the difference between a criminal justice system and a criminal justice process?	The difference between a criminal justice system and a criminal justice process is that a criminal justice system is a set of laws, procedures, and organizations that are responsible for enforcing the law, while a criminal justice process is the steps taken to investigate, prosecute, and punish criminal behavior.
What is the difference between a criminal law and a civil law?	The difference between a criminal law and a civil law is that a criminal law is a law that prohibits certain behavior and punishes those who violate it, while a civil law is a law that governs disputes between individuals or organizations.
What is the difference between a criminal defense attorney and a prosecutor?	The difference between a criminal defense attorney and a prosecutor is that a criminal defense attorney is an attorney who represents a defendant in a criminal case, while a prosecutor is an attorney who represents the government in a criminal case.
What is the difference between a criminal justice system and a criminal justice process?	The difference between a criminal justice system and a criminal justice process is that a criminal justice system is a set of laws, procedures, and organizations that are responsible for enforcing the law, while a criminal justice process is the steps taken to investigate, prosecute, and punish criminal behavior.
What is the difference between a criminal act and a criminal intent?	The difference between a criminal act and a criminal intent is that a criminal act is an act that is prohibited by law, while a criminal intent is a state of mind required to commit a crime.

Questions	Answers
What is the definition of criminology?	Criminology is the scientific study of the causes, consequences, and prevention of criminal behavior.
What is the primary focus of criminology?	The primary focus of criminology is on the causes of criminal behavior, the social and environmental factors that contribute to crime, and the ways in which criminal behavior can be prevented or reduced.
What are the three main areas of criminology?	The three main areas of criminology are theoretical criminology, applied criminology, and criminal justice.
What is the difference between theoretical and applied criminology?	Theoretical criminology focuses on understanding the causes of criminal behavior and developing theories to explain the behavior. Applied criminology focuses on using the theories to develop practical solutions to address crime.
What is the purpose of criminal justice?	The purpose of criminal justice is to ensure public safety, hold offenders accountable for their actions, and ensure that justice is served.
What is the difference between criminology and criminal justice?	Criminology is the scientific study of the causes, consequences, and prevention of criminal behavior, while criminal justice is the system of laws, procedures, and institutions that are used to enforce those laws and ensure public safety.
What is the difference between crime and deviance?	Crime is behavior that is prohibited by law, while deviance is behavior that is considered to be outside of the accepted norms of society.
What is the difference between a criminal and a delinquent?	A criminal is an individual who has committed a crime, while a delinquent is an individual who has committed an act that is considered to be a violation of the law, but is not considered to be a crime.
What is the difference between a felony and a misdemeanor?	A felony is a crime that is punishable by more than one year in prison, while a misdemeanor is a crime that is punishable by less than one year in prison.
What is the difference between a criminal justice system and a legal system?	A criminal justice system is the system of laws, procedures, and institutions that are used to enforce those laws and ensure public safety, while a legal system is the system of laws, regulations, and procedures that are used to resolve disputes and protect the rights of individuals.