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Criminology: meaning, definitions and examples

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criminology

 

[ krɪmɪˈnɒlədʒi ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

social science

Criminology is the scientific study of crime, criminal behavior, and the functions of the criminal justice system. It encompasses various disciplines, including sociology, psychology, law, and anthropology, to understand the causes of crime and the workings of the justice system. Criminologists seek to uncover patterns of criminal behavior, the impact of social factors on crime, and effective methods for preventing criminal acts. This field informs policies and practices aimed at reducing crime and improving societal safety.

Synonyms

crime study, criminal science, criminal sociology

Examples of usage

  • The criminology department conducted extensive research on juvenile delinquency.
  • Her interest in criminology led her to pursue a career in criminal psychology.
  • They published a study on the effects of socioeconomic status on criminal behavior.

Translations

Translations of the word "criminology" in other languages:

🇵🇹 criminologia

🇮🇳 अपराधशास्त्र

🇩🇪 Kriminologie

🇮🇩 kriminologi

🇺🇦 кримінологія

🇵🇱 kryminologia

🇯🇵 犯罪学

🇫🇷 criminologie

🇪🇸 criminología

🇹🇷 kriminoloji

🇰🇷 범죄학

🇸🇦 علم الجريمة

🇨🇿 kriminologie

🇸🇰 kriminológia

🇨🇳 犯罪学

🇸🇮 kriminologija

🇮🇸 glæpafræði

🇰🇿 құқықтану

🇬🇪 კრიმინოლოგია

🇦🇿 kriminologiya

🇲🇽 criminología

Word origin

The term 'criminology' comes from the Latin word 'crimen,' meaning crime, and the Greek word 'logos,' meaning study or discourse. It was first coined in the mid-19th century by the Italian law professor Raffaele Garofalo, who is often regarded as a founding figure in the field. The study of crime has existed in various forms throughout history, but criminology as a distinct discipline emerged during a period of industrialization and urbanization, which saw a rise in crime rates. Early criminologists sought to develop theories about the causes of crime and the effectiveness of punishment, with figures such as Cesare Lombroso proposing biological explanations for criminal behavior. Over the years, criminology has evolved into a multidisciplinary field, integrating insights from various social sciences to better understand the complexities of crime and justice.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #21,259, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.