Assignment: Contemporary Views and Theories of Criminal Behavior
Assignment consists of two main items, with four sub-items each, about routine activity theory and strain theory. Please note the specific requirement for each response. You should write your answers in complete sentences and write at least a paragraph for each question. If you struggle with answering the questions, review the learning activities for this Assignment.

1) Provide an overview of routine activity theory and address the following points:
a). History of the theory
b). Key elements or tenets of the theory
c). Provide a crime/criminal example that illustrates the elements of this theory and identify how this theory explains this crime/criminal.
d). One of the main purposes of a criminological theory is to inform a crime prevention policy/program/practice. Identify a current crime prevention policy/program/practice that is based on routine activity theory, OR, present an idea for a crime prevention policy/program/practice AND explain how it represents routine activity theory.
2) Provide an overview of strain theory and addressing the following points:
a). History of the theory.
b). Key elements or tenets of the theory.
c). Provide a crime/criminal example that illustrates the elements of this theory and identify how this theory explains this crime/criminal.
d). One of the main purposes of a criminological theory is to inform a crime prevention policy/program/practice. Identify a current crime prevention policy/program/practice that is based on routine activity theory, OR, present an idea for a crime prevention policy/program/practice AND explain how it represents strain theory.


Learning Resources
Identify the History of a Criminological Theory
Required Readings
 Schram, P. J. (2017). Introduction to Criminology. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, Inc.

Chapter 8: Social Structure Theories of Crime I
Note: You should revisit the chapters from the previous module before completing the Discussion. In addition, you can browse other chapters to help you understand criminological theories better.

Time Estimate: 90 minutes

Introduction to Criminology, 2nd Edition, by Schram, P. J. Copyright 2017 by Sage College. Reprinted by permission of Sage College via the Copyright Clearance Center.

 McLaughlin, E., & Muncie, J. P. (Eds.). (2013). Sage dictionary of criminology. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, Inc.  

Time Estimate: 60 minutes

Sage dictionary of criminology (Third Ed.), by McLaughlin, E., & Muncie, J. P. Copyright 2013 by Sage Publications Ltd. Reprinted by permission of Sage Publications Ltd., via the Copyright Clearance Center.

Identify the Key Elements or Tenets of a Criminological Theory
Required Readings
Tillyer, M. S., & Eck, J. E. (2011). Getting a handle on crime: A further extension of routine activities theory. Security Journal, 24(2), 179-193. doi:http://dx.doi.org.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/10.1057/sj.2010.2 

Time Estimate: 30 minutes

Note: You will access this article from the Walden Library databases.

Laureate Education (Producer). (2018). Personality disorders [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author

 

Note: The approximate length of this media piece is 8 minutes.


Accessible player 
Laureate Education (Producer). (2018). Origins of criminal behavior: Psychological factors [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author

 

Note: The approximate length of this media piece is 5 minutes.


Accessible player 
Apply a Criminological Theory to a Crime/Criminal
Required Readings
Smith, T. R., Langenbacher, M., Kudlac, C., & Fera, A. G. (2013). Deviant reactions to the college pressure cooker: A test of general strain theory on undergraduate students in the united states. International Journal of Criminal Justice Sciences, 8(2), 88-104. Retrieved from https://search-proquest-com.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/docview/1459136268?accountid=14872

Note: You will access this article from the Walden Library databases.

Time Estimate: 30 minutes

Evaluate a Criminological Theory and Apply it to Crime Prevention
Required Media
 Stockholm Symposium. (2015, Jun 24). Routine activities, transit crime, and situational crime prevention [Video file]. Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3uoBZRjkz8

Time Estimate: 92 minutes

 Center for Problem-Oriented Policing. (n.d.). A theory of crime problems. Retrieved from: http://www.popcenter.org/learning/PAM/help/theory.cfm 

Time Estimate: 15 minutes