NCJ Number
84504
Date Published
1981
Length
22 pages
Annotation
Sociology specializations that examine the size or complexity of organizations, aspects of social organization common to all types of organization, social processes in any type oforganization, and thematic contents of organizations are reviewed and applied to criminal justice agencies.
Abstract
Organizational level specializations particularly relevant to criminal justice focus on complex organizations, small groups, and communities. All criminal justice agencies are complex organizations because of the variety of functions that must be performed and coordinated. Small group study is relevant to the operation of police squads and an understanding of street gangs, while the study of communities is relevant to understanding how local influences produce the particular characteristics of a local criminal justice system. Sociology specializations which examine aspects of social organizations common to all levels of organizations include the study of demography and human ecology and social stratification. Demography and human ecology are important in an analysis of crime rates and the factors bearing upon crime patterns, and social stratification, which is the study of patterns of structured inequality in resources and recognition among categories of people, is important in understanding how differing characteristics of social classes bear upon criminal behavior and crime rates. The study of collective behavior, which is a process specialization in sociology, is particularly important for aiding the police in the control of crowds. Content specializations include the study of work and occupations in organizations, which focuses on the control and meaning of work as well as career development. Some of the sociological concepts discussed are applied to the dynamics of police productivity, and sociology research methods are briefly discussed. A total of 34 references and 9 additional readings are provided.