1.

Among criminological theories, which would you identify as a "good"

theory, and which would you designate as a "bad" theory? In your answer,
provide and apply the criteria by which you are judging the theories, as well as
provide a clear outline/overview of the selected theories and a review of the
empirical (evidence-based) foundation for your endorsement of one and rejection
of the other.

Answer:

It is crucial to remember that various theories of crime possess different strengths

and weaknesses because what is a "good" theory in one perspective may not be as
good in another. For me, a "good" criminology theory should be:

1. Descriptive: It should be able to provide a thorough explanation of the causes

and dynamics of criminal behavior.
2. Predictive: It must be able to accurately predict criminality and patterns.
3. Testable: It must be verifiable and backed up by actual evidence.
4. Generalizable: It should be applicable to a wide range of circumstances and
cultures.
5. Actionable: It requires practical consequences in terms of crime prevention and
response.

The Self-Control theory, is an example of a "good" theory in criminology. This theory,

advanced by Gottfredson and Hirschi in 1990, contends that a lack of self-regulation is
the main cause of criminal behavior. According to the theory, people with low self-
control have difficulty delaying gratification, seem to be impulsive, and are more likely to
engage in risky or illegal behavior. It has also resulted in the creation of practical
interventions such as the "Fast Track Program," which aims to improve self-control in
at-risk children and reduce their likelihood of engaging in criminal behavior.

2. The Criminal Justice System in the Philippines was recently criticized by

the community as a “broken system” that fails to achieve justice or to serve our
communities fairly. What is your reaction regarding to Juanito Jose D. Remulla III,
the eldest son of Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla, who was acquitted
of the charge of possession of illegal drugs by the Las Pinas City Regional Trial
Court (RTC)?

Answer:
 It's been always concerning for the past years to hear that our criminal justice
system in the Philippines is a "corrupt system" that favors the rich while failing to
achieve justice or serve communities with fairness. It saddens me that this perception
causes the public to undermine our justice system, which is crucial to its success.

Although, when an influential person is accused of a crime but is immediately

acquitted, it can give the impression that our criminal justice system is biased toward
the rich. It may even question the integrity and fairness of the conduct of trials in the
Philippines. Like I have stated earlier, this can give a bad impression on the system and
give the impression that justice is not being served equally for all people.

However, it is also worth noting that the result of a single case, regardless of his
background or connections, should not be used to make broad generalizations about
the criminal justice system as a whole. To ensure that the system is fair and just for
everyone, we need to focus on systemic issues and work toward making improvements.

3. Discuss the concept of neoclassical theory and identify its advantage and
disadvantages in treating delinquent behaviors of minors.

Answer:

Neoclassical theory is a criminological theory that emphasizes the role of rational

choice in criminal behavior. According to neoclassical theory, individuals engage in
criminal behavior when the perceived benefits outweigh the perceived costs. The theory
proposes that before committing a crime, individuals weigh the potential rewards and
risks of criminal behavior and that they are more likely to engage in criminal behavior
when the perceived benefits are high and the perceived costs are low.
One advantage of neoclassical theory is that it can explain why some individuals
choose to commit crimes while others do not, and it can be used to identify the factors
that influence a person's decision to commit a crime. This information can be used to
help develop interventions to reduce criminal behavior.
While the disadvantage of neoclassical theory is that it may oversimplify
decision-making and ignore environmental factors that influence criminal behavior. The
theory does not account for the fact that some people may have limited options or lack
the necessary skills to make rational decisions.

A case study related to the application of neoclassical theory to delinquent

behavior of minors is the "Scared Straight" program, which was designed to deter
delinquent youth from committing crimes by exposing them to the harsh realities of
prison life. The program was baseda on the assumption that increasing the perceived
costs of delinquent behavior would reduce the likelihood of delinquent behavior.
However, evaluations of the program have found that it is not effective in reducing
recidivism and may actually increase delinquent behavior among participants. This case
study illustrates the limitations of neoclassical theory in treating delinquent behaviors of
minors as it fails to account for the fact that scaring youth may not be the most effective
way to change their behavior.