What makes a good criminological theory?

What makes a good criminological theory?

Akers and Sellers (2013) have established a set of criteria to judge criminological theories: logical consistency, scope, parsimony, testability, empirical validity, and usefulness. ... Logical consistency is the basic building block of any theory. It refers to a theory's ability to “make sense”.

What is retribution theory?

Retributive justice is a theory of punishment that when an offender breaks the law, justice requires that they suffer in return, and that the response to a crime is proportional to the offence.

What is deterrence theory of punishment?

Deterrence in relation to criminal offending is the idea or theory that the threat of punishment will deter people from committing crime and reduce the probability and/or level of offending in society. ... An underlying principle of deterrence is that it is utilitarian or forward-looking.

What are the 4 theories of punishment?

In general, there are four justifications for criminal sanctions: deterrence, incapacitation, rehabilitation, and just deserts.

Why is retribution the best theory of punishment?

Retribution certainly includes elements of deterrence, incapacitation, and rehabilitation, but it also ensures that the guilty will be punished, the innocent protected, and societal balance restored after being disrupted by crime. Retribution is thus the only appropriate moral justification for punishment.