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Full-Text Articles in Social Work
Defining The Concept Of Crime: A Humanistic Perspective, Ronald C. Kramer
Defining The Concept Of Crime: A Humanistic Perspective, Ronald C. Kramer
The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare
This paper argues that the traditional definition of crime is too narrow and unnecessarily constrictive of criminological work. Definitions more in accord with the objectives of a humanistic criminology must be developed. The traditional debate over the definition of crime has not been grounded within the context of the more fundamental images of crime that actually guide criminological work. By clarifying these underlying images (paradigms) and displaying the value questions and domain assumptions contained within them, we are in position to develop first order and second order definitions of crime which are more suitable to the task of humanistic criminology.
Humanistic Criminology: Future Prospects, Erdwin H. Pfuhl
Humanistic Criminology: Future Prospects, Erdwin H. Pfuhl
The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare
The present paper focuses on several prominent organizational and ideological aspects of academic criminology and the criminal justice system in an effort to assess the prospects of developing a criminology that is informed by humanistic concerns. The conclusion is that, for the immediate future, the prospects are minimal.
Humanistic Criminology: Roots From Peter Kropotkin, Larry L. Tifft, Lois E. Stevenson
Humanistic Criminology: Roots From Peter Kropotkin, Larry L. Tifft, Lois E. Stevenson
The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare
Kropotkin's extensive writings on criminological issues have been almost totally neglected. Through critical historical and macro-structural analyses Kropotkin assessed institutional arrangements disclosing how they were or were not meeting human needs. Our exploration focuses on Kropotkin's theoretical contributions, his feelings-based criminology and his extremely insightful dualistic conceptualization of "human nature". His contributions to penology, and his assessment of social arrangements which would meet the complex and ever-changing needs of humankind are briefly examined. Kropotkin's analytic framework provides an insightful and provocative base from which to synthesize criminological thought and research and from which to take action to alter social arrangements …
Humanistic Perspectives In Criminology, Ronald C. Kramer, Stuart L. Hills
Humanistic Perspectives In Criminology, Ronald C. Kramer, Stuart L. Hills
The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare
In the past two decades, the field of criminology has changed dramatically. Mainstream criminology, which focused primarily on the etiology of behavior taken for granted as criminal, has been successively challenged by a number of different sociological theories and perspectives. These challenges have come from the labeling or interactionist perspective, various pluralistic conflict theories, and a number of radical, critical, or Marxist approaches. Although there are many differences among these theoretical developments, they share a common set of humanistic concerns. All of these perspectives attempt to combine a theoretical explanation of crime and social control with a practical concern for …
Humanistic Criminology: Is It Possible?, Clayton A. Hartjen
Humanistic Criminology: Is It Possible?, Clayton A. Hartjen
The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare
A humanistic criminology is one that would be oriented to human betterment and fulfillment, as opposed to conventional criminology oriented to the control of crime and suppression of offenders. Some of the obstacles that stand in the way of developing a humanistic criminology, as well as some of the reasons why these obstacles do not necessarily preclude its being established, are addressed. Some reasons why humanistic criminology is desirable are suggested. Given that humanistic criminology is viable a critique of contemporary schools of criminology/criminal justice is offered and a number of suggestions are made regarding what an academic department of …
Social Justice Vs Criminal Justice: An Agenda For Critical Criminology, T. R. Young
Social Justice Vs Criminal Justice: An Agenda For Critical Criminology, T. R. Young
The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare
This paper presents an overview of the features of crime and the criminal justice system in the United States. It notes the great disparities in use of five systems of justice. It discusses the amount and variety of corporate crime, political crime, street crime, white collar crime as well as organized crime. It emphasizes the inadequacy of current theories of crime in so far as corporate, white collar and political crime are concerned. The author argues that social justice is a far better way to prevent crime than are criminal justice systems and points to other societies with low crime …
Criminology As A Force For Human Tolerance, Harold E. Pepinsky
Criminology As A Force For Human Tolerance, Harold E. Pepinsky
The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare
Criminology traditionally has been the study of twin forms of intolerance--crime and punishment. Punishment can only increase crime. Criminology ought to become a study of how to alleviate crime and punishment by engineering tolerance of greater varieties of human behavior, where "social control" takes on positive connations. A framework is outlined for making criminology a force for human tolerance.