In its development, the object of study of sociology has become wider when viewed from the branches of study, such as family, economics, development, rural, urban, religion, health, and even crime. Furthermore, related to criminality, sociology also takes an approach. The reason is because this form of social action is often found in social life
On the other hand, sometimes criminal acts also disrupt the social order that is formed. Because it can cause social conflict, disputes, damage to property, and so on.
Sociology of Crime
The sociology of crime basically comes from a combination of two different terms. The term sociology means the study of society, while the meaning of crime means acts that are criminal or unlawful.
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Although for now the specification of this study is fully a learning material for criminology.
Definition of Sociology of Criminality
The sociology of crime is a science that is empirical-analytical as a form of deepening related to social processes and social interactions with regard to the forms of social phenomena of crime that occur in society, so that for its own aspects it can relate to legal norms, social institutions, social changes and social gaps that give rise to criminal acts. criminals in society.
Definition of Sociology of Criminality According to Experts
The understanding of the sociology of crime by experts, among others;
- EH Sutherland , Understanding the sociology of criminality is the study of patterns of behavior that are evil in the same way as behavior that is not evil. Evil behavior is obtained as a result of interactions with people behaving with a tendency to go against existing legal norms.
- Bonger , The definition of sociology of crime is the science of crime as a social phenomenon. The focus of the sociology of crime is how far the social influence for the emergence of crime in society.
- Dr. JE Sahetapy and B. Mardjono Reksodipuro , The meaning of sociology of crime is the study of every act (including negligence) that is prohibited by public law to protect society and is sanctioned in the form of a crime by the State.
- Marvin E. Wolfgang , The meaning of the sociology of crime is the study of criminal behavior and this behavior can cause suffering or loss to other parties.
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Objects of Sociology of Crime
The objects of study in the study of the sociology of crime are:
1. Crime
The definition of crime is a form of violation of social order or of criminal law. By studying crime and the types that have been qualified, it is hoped that the sociology of crime can also study the level of legal awareness in society. As for the general types of crimes that exist in criminal sociology itself. Such as white-collar crime, blue-collar crime, and victimless crime.
2. Perpetrator
The definition of perpetrators is about individuals and groups who are considered to have violated the law or committed crimes in various examples of social deviations that exist in people’s lives. So that this actor causes losses suffered by other parties for their rights.
3. Community Reaction
The reaction of society in the study of criminal sociology is of course related to criminal acts and the perpetrators become determinants of behavior that cannot be justified and receive criminal sanctions or social sanctions.
Scope of Sociology of Crime
As for the scope in the sociology of crime are;
- Reaction to lawlessness. Reactions in this case are not only aimed at lawbreakers in the form of repressive measures but also against potential lawbreakers in the form of preventive measures.
- The elements of crime that occur in society
- Efforts to overcome/prevent criminal acts in the form of preventive, repressive and rehabilitative measures
- Individuals and groups as perpetrators of crimes
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Objectives of the Sociology of Criminality
The aims of studying the sociology of crime are;
1. Knowing the Reasons for Doing Crime
Primarily in criminal sociology learning aims to be able to understand the reasons someone commits a crime. So that in this case it is finally able to examine whether the crime was caused by the social conditions of the social reality in the surrounding community or because the person has the talent to become a criminal.
Benefits of Sociology of Crime
Benefits that are useful in understanding the sociology of crime, namely;
- Seeking Explanations Related to Solving Social Problems
The main use in criminal sociology is to be a tool in discussing individual problems in relation to other communities by establishing conditions for social interaction that are contrary to the applicable legal rules so that later they are able to solve social problems that occur.
Types of Crime According to the Sociology of Crime
Criminal acts are divided into several parts in criminal sociology, namely;
- Crimes without victims (considered disgraceful acts)
- Organized Crime (organized crime, conspiracy)
- White Collar Crime (committed by a high status person)
- Corporate Crime (crimes committed on behalf of formal social organizations to increase profits)
- Blue collar Crime (perpetrated by poor people because of the economy)
Theory of Criminal Acts Viewed From the Sociology of Crime
Several views on sociological theory and its figures in this crime, among others;
- Biological Theory
Physiological factors and the physical structure of a person that has existed since birth. So that the aspect of the study provides a relationship between social relations involving social networks for human relations and behavior that violates culture, social values, and social norms that cause suffering to other parties.
- Psychogenesis Theory
Factors include a person’s level of intelligence, personality traits, motivation, deviant attitudes, fantasies, deviant self-internalization, psychopathological uncontrolled emotions that arise as a result of reactions to psychological problems such as broken homes or wrong parenting patterns.
- Sociogenesis Theory
This theory is a pure form because of sociological or social matters, namely the influence of deviant social structures, group pressures, social roles, social status or wrong symbolic internalization and formation by a bad social environment.
- Theory of Subcultural Delusion
Namely the characteristics of the social structure with a distinctive cultural pattern from the community environment experienced by criminals. This happens due to low economic status, poor environmental conditions, and the amount of disorganization in society.
Consequences of Criminal Acts Viewed from the Sociology of Crime
That is;
- Material loss
This can happen if the crime is still in a fairly severe stage. Such as pickpocketing, mugging fraud and theft without being accompanied by violence.
- Trauma
Trauma can occur to someone who has experienced a criminal act, usually accompanied by threats such as bringing sharp objects.
- Physical disabilities and mental stress
This can happen if a criminal act is accompanied by other criminal acts or if a person commits a criminal act that has entered the stage of a serious crime. Examples in this corridor are persecution, rape, social deviation, and so on.
- Death
Death occurs if the criminal acts committed by a group have entered a very serious level, as is the case with examples of crimes in murder, mutilation and others. Usually this is based on several motives.
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Examples of Sociology of Crime
For examples of cases related to studies in criminal sociology. That is;
- Sexual violence against early childhood often occurs in society. This can occur due to a lack of sex education in the community or even a lack of the role of the family in the formation of an individual. In the end, sexual deviation and violence cannot be avoided.
- Robbery is a crime in which the perpetrator of the robbery (called a robber) takes possession of someone/something through acts of violence and intimidation. This can occur due to the perpetrator’s low economy and by being forced to commit crimes to support life.
This is an explanation of the meaning of the sociology of crime according to experts, the scope, object of study, objectives, benefits, theories, and case examples. We hope that this writing can add insight and a deep source of inspiration for all readers, especially those who need the material.