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Northern Essex Community College

Module 5 Prep Activity

Review the activity overview, learning objectives, directions, and submission expectations before submitting your work.

Overview

Criminologists have developed numerous theories to explain why individuals commit crime. Some theories focus on biological factors, others emphasize psychological influences, while still others examine social environments, learned behavior, or rational decision-making. Each theoretical perspective offers a different explanation for criminal behavior and suggests different approaches for crime prevention and intervention.

This activity asks you to evaluate competing criminological perspectives and determine which theories provide the strongest explanation for criminal behavior. You will prepare arguments supporting multiple viewpoints and defend your position during an in-class debate.

Learning Objectives

(These objectives support the prep activity and are not the questions to be answered.)

  • LO1: Compare major criminological theories used to explain criminal behavior. (SLO6)
  • LO2: Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of competing theoretical perspectives. (SLO6)
Prep Topic
  • Criminologists disagree on the primary causes of criminal behavior. Different schools of thought offer competing explanations for why individuals commit crime.
  • Create a bullet list of arguments supporting TWO competing theoretical perspectives.
  • Your instructor may assign teams representing:
    • Sociological Theories
    • Psychological Theories
    • Biological Theories
    • Classical and Neo-Classical Theories
  • Prepare at least five talking points supporting your assigned theory group.
  • Also prepare at least five talking points critiquing one competing theory group.
  • Consider questions such as:
    • What causes criminal behavior?
    • Are criminals born or made?
    • How much responsibility does an offender have for their actions?
    • What role does environment play in crime?
    • Can crime be prevented through social intervention?
    • Do biology or psychology influence criminal decision-making?
    • Which theory best explains violent crime?
    • Which theory best explains property crime?
  • Use real-world examples to support your position whenever possible.
  • Be prepared to defend your assigned theoretical perspective and challenge competing explanations during the in-class debate.
  • Remember: your objective is to convince the class that your theoretical perspective provides the strongest explanation for criminal behavior.
Acceptable & Ethical Use of AI
  • You may use AI tools to help identify major criminological theories and supporting examples; however, you should independently verify any information before including it in your prep activity.
  • If you use AI to assist with brainstorming or research, your final prep must reflect your own analysis, conclusions, and understanding of the course material.
Directions

Please read all instructions carefully before submitting your prep activity.

  • Your prep should be no longer than 1 page.
  • This NOT a paper but rather talking points in bullets for our in-class meeting.
  • Abstract NOT needed.
  • Sources are NOT needed.
  • Submissions are checked against a Plagiarism Checker and AI Detector.
    • Direct quotes should not exceed 15% of the total paper.
    • AI Usage – you must use AI ethically. Papers written by an AI is cheating.
  • Stop over-thinking this activity. It should be a simple list of talking points.
Submission Guidelines
  • Submit your prep activity through the designated submission area.
  • Accepted formats include Word or PDF unless otherwise specified.
  • Review the grading rubric before submitting your work.
  • Submissions are checked using both a plagiarism checker and AI detection software.
  • Direct quotations should not exceed 15% of the total submission.
Important Reminder

Important: All work must be your own. AI may be used only in the limited and ethical ways described above. Using AI to write your submission is considered academic dishonesty. This activity is intended to prepare you for class discussion, so focus on creating your own talking points and analysis.