the role of theory theory: an orderly system of knowledge(oxford dictionary) “ a thing may be true...
TRANSCRIPT
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
Valid propositions:Individuals reasons
• Individual approach. • 120 interviews collected- results indicated why
police had joined the NSW police: their personal reasons
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.
Model of repeated behaviour
• Individual decision making• Ignore offence?• Stop Offender
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
Conflict Theory
• Some groups are labeled more than others• Discriminatory Practices: gender class, age and
race. • COURT PROCESS DESCRIBED IN NEXT MODEL
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?