the role of theory theory: an orderly system of knowledge(oxford dictionary) “ a thing may be true...

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The Role of Theory Theory: an orderly system of knowledge(Oxford Dictionary) “ a thing may be true in theory but not in practice” A common language for determining what counts as a valid proposition or empirical test

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Page 1: The Role of Theory Theory: an orderly system of knowledge(Oxford Dictionary) “ a thing may be true in theory but not in practice” A common language for

The Role of Theory

• Theory: an orderly system of knowledge(Oxford Dictionary)

• “ a thing may be true in theory but not in practice”

• A common language for determining what counts as a valid proposition or empirical test

Page 2: The Role of Theory Theory: an orderly system of knowledge(Oxford Dictionary) “ a thing may be true in theory but not in practice” A common language for

Valid propositions:Individuals reasons

• Individual approach. • 120 interviews collected- results indicated why

police had joined the NSW police: their personal reasons

Page 3: The Role of Theory Theory: an orderly system of knowledge(Oxford Dictionary) “ a thing may be true in theory but not in practice” A common language for
Page 4: The Role of Theory Theory: an orderly system of knowledge(Oxford Dictionary) “ a thing may be true in theory but not in practice” A common language for

Empirical test:social structures

• Doing police work – individual behaviour

Record of actual police work conducted: no of arrests, the outcomes to those arrests and the pattern of police work in numerical form.

Page 5: The Role of Theory Theory: an orderly system of knowledge(Oxford Dictionary) “ a thing may be true in theory but not in practice” A common language for

Model of repeated behaviour

• Individual decision making• Ignore offence?• Stop Offender

Page 6: The Role of Theory Theory: an orderly system of knowledge(Oxford Dictionary) “ a thing may be true in theory but not in practice” A common language for
Page 7: The Role of Theory Theory: an orderly system of knowledge(Oxford Dictionary) “ a thing may be true in theory but not in practice” A common language for

Strain Theory

• Limited opportunities and competing priorities. • Behaviours that develop or are learned in

response to such stressors

• Police need to use discretion to decide what offences to ignore, act on by a warning or arrest.

• NEXT SLIDE IS A MODEL OF ARREST PROCEDURES

Page 8: The Role of Theory Theory: an orderly system of knowledge(Oxford Dictionary) “ a thing may be true in theory but not in practice” A common language for
Page 9: The Role of Theory Theory: an orderly system of knowledge(Oxford Dictionary) “ a thing may be true in theory but not in practice” A common language for

Conflict Theory

• Some groups are labeled more than others• Discriminatory Practices: gender class, age and

race. • COURT PROCESS DESCRIBED IN NEXT MODEL

Page 10: The Role of Theory Theory: an orderly system of knowledge(Oxford Dictionary) “ a thing may be true in theory but not in practice” A common language for
Page 11: The Role of Theory Theory: an orderly system of knowledge(Oxford Dictionary) “ a thing may be true in theory but not in practice” A common language for

Environmental Factors

• Forces beyond the individuals control: FOR POLICE their work environment.

• Command and control structure• External demands for reform• Individual decision making to conform or to be

different?

Page 12: The Role of Theory Theory: an orderly system of knowledge(Oxford Dictionary) “ a thing may be true in theory but not in practice” A common language for