Criminology is an interdisciplinary field and sociology is one of many disciplines in the behavioural sciences that contribute to the study including psychology, psychiatry, social anthropology and law. Criminology is often associated with the study of the law enforcement and criminal justice system.¹
Why do people commit crime and what can we do about it? Sociologists generally believe that these questions cannot be answered without first examining and understanding the broader social contexts. Crime prevention has proven to be futile without a thorough and general understanding of what societal factors predispose certain groups to crime.
Criminology is explored through all three theoretical frameworks. Sociologists study violent crime, white-collar crime, youth crime and gang related crime through a combination of empirical data and social research. Further, sociologists are interested in what crimes really concern society and why that is. Also, why are we are so willing to see some people punished, and hesitant to see others face consequences?
1. About. Criminology: What is it? Retrieved May 8, 2014, from http://criminologycareers.about.com/od/Criminology_Basics/a/What-is-criminology.htm