SOCIAL SCIENCE AND SOCIAL POLICY

• NCJ Number: 32553
• Author(s): G NETTLER
• Date Published: 1975
• Length: 44 pages
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: Canada
• Note: PRESENTED TO THE CRIME PREVENTION WORKSHOP, CENTRE OF CRIMINOLOGY, UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO, 22 MAY 1975

Annotation

AN ANALYSIS OF THE VALUES AND LIMITATIONS OF THE SOCIAL SCIENCES IN CORRECTIVE PROGRAMS.

Abstract

THE AUTHOR FEELS THAT THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM SERVES TWO VALID PURPOSES. IT IS DESIGNED NOT MERELY TO BE INSTRUMENTAL IN BRINGING ABOUT REHABILITATION, BUT ALSO TO EXPRESS THE MORAL PRECEPTS OF THE SOCIETY IN WHICH IT OPERATES. SOCIAL SCIENTISTS OFTEN LOSE SIGHT OF THIS, AND EVALUATE CRIMINAL SANCTIONS ONLY IN TERMS OF THEIR RESULTS. OR, CONVERSELY, POTENTIALLY EFFICIENT METHODS MAY BE REJECTED BECAUSE THEY DO NOT FIT WITHIN THE MORAL PARAMETERS SET BY SOCIETY. CAUSAL ANALYSIS OFTEN SUFFERS FROM RESTRICTING CONCENTRATION TO THOSE SOCIAL FEATURES WHICH ONE WOULD LIKE TO CHANGE. NETTLER CONCLUDES THAT THE MOST VALUABLE ROLE OF THE SOCIAL SCIENCES IN SOCIAL POLICY IS IN THE AREAS OF DESCRIPTION AND EVALUATION, AND THAT THERE IS NO SOCIAL SCIENCE THAT CAN UNDERWRITE A SOCIETAL ENGINEERING THAT WILL CHANGE PEOPLE ACCORDING TO PLAN.