Criminal Sociology

The main goal of criminology is to find the causes of crime or the necessary antecedents or conditions of criminal conduct. The two concepts that are central to this sociological science are crime and criminal. Although both terms are defined by law these definitions have certain limitations from a scholar's perspective. The generally accepted definition of crime is specific forms of conduct that are prohibited by law and that are punishable. One of the main problems with this definition is the fact that criminal law is a reflection of the character and interests of groups of people that influence legislation. These groups may represent the majority of people but in some cases they may also be a minority.