2.2 What Makes A Good Theory?
Brandon Hamann
There are many theories on criminal behavior causation. Which one is right? Which is more appropriate than another in a certain circumstance? How do we determine which theory to apply in a situation? Biological Sciences and Physical Sciences are pretty much in agreement as to how to answer these questions. However, Criminology uses a multitude of other disciplines to try and answer the questions of causality, and they don’t always agree (Fedorek, 2019). For instance, Turner (2014) looked at how Neoliberalism policies could be affecting youth crime through changes in juvenile justice, education, and consumerism. Even a governing body’s political ideology and policymaking can influence the causation of criminal behavior in a population.
Criminologists apply scientific criteria to their theories to evaluate them for validity. Akers and Sellers (2013) developed the criteria to judge these theories:
- Logical consistency
- Scope
- Parsimony
- Testability
- Empirical Validity
- Usefulness (Akers & Sellers, 2013).
Logical consistency means that the theory has to make sense. Is it consistent? Scope refers to a theory’s range of explanations. Does the theory explain crimes committed in white neighborhoods AND black neighborhoods? Does it explain ALL crimes or just some crimes? Does the theory explain those crimes committed by ALL age groups, or just those crimes committed by juveniles? The broader the range and the wider the scope, the better the theory (Fedorek, 2019). A parsimonious theory is concise, elegant, and simple. There are not too many constructs or hypotheses. Simply put, parsimony refers to a theory’s “simplicity.” A good theory must have testability – it has to be open to possible falsification. Once a theory is tested for falsification, and it passes, it is then verified, or empirically validated. As Wallace (1974) stated of Gibbs (1972), “[A] theory has no connection in the empirical world unless individuals other than the theorists agree in applying some of its constituent symbols to identify particular events or things” (Wallace, 1974, p. 242).
Finally, all theories will suggest how to control, prevent, or reduce crime through policy or program. The premise of a particular theory will guide policymakers. For example, if a theory suggested that juveniles learn how to commit crime through a network of delinquent peers, policymakers will try to identify juveniles at risk for joining delinquent subcultures (Fedorek, 2019).
The theory has to make sense.
A theory's range of explanations.
A theory that is concise, elegant, and simple.
A theory's openness to possible falsification.
The verification of a theory through testability.