Durkheim's and Merton's Sociological Positivism in Explaining the Essay

Durkheim's and Merton's Sociological Positivism in Explaining the Criminal Behavior - Essay Example So there are biological positivism, psychological positivism, and sociological positivism in criminology depending of the field of knowledge that is taken as reference. Sociological positivism in criminology makes a strong emphasis in the study of crime and criminal behaviour as a social phenomenon that is explained through the critical analysis of social structures, functions, and agents. Since criminology is an interdisciplinary science, sociological positivism also takes into account biological and psychological data when undertaking the study of crime and criminal behaviour. The study of deviance or abnormality in society belongs to the field of criminology, too. Sociological positivism attempts to explain crime and deviance from different angles trying to find valid and reliable theories that can help in its prevention and deterrence. Sociological positivism emerged as a scientific effort to fill the gap of other criminological studies based on biological and psychological perspectives, which were mostly centred on the individual. It also emerged in opposition of the Classical School of Criminology that was grounded on the standpoints of classical Greek philosophers, especially stressing the importance of free will (O'Connor, 2006). It was also based on utilitarian/hedonistic premises and the concept of social contract to whcih Durkheim was opposed (Hopkins Burke, 2005:91). Positivistic criminology takes a different position, and its main features are the following: 'The demand for facts, for scientific proof (determinism). There are body and mind differences between people (of these, the mens rea, or reasons for committing crime are important). Punishment should fit the individual criminal, not the crime (indeterminate sentencing, disparate sentencing, parole). The criminal justice system should be guided by scientific experts (rule by scientific elite, technocracy). Criminals can be treated, rehabilitated, or corrected (if not, then they are incurable and should be put to death). (O'Connor, 2006). The most influential figures in the field of sociological positivism in criminology are Quetelet, Guerry, Comte, Durkheim, Ferri, Garofalo, Merton and Agnew. 3. Durkhiem's and Merton's main features of sociological positivism. The main features of Durkheim's sociological positivism in criminology are the distinction between mechanical solidarity and organic solidarity, his views about the division of labour as a signal of social progress, his idea that crime and deviance are necessary for change and progress in society, and the introduction of the concept of anomie in the social structure for explaining the causes of crime and deviance (Hopkins Burke, 2005:91-95; Greek, 2005). For Durkheim, simple societies before the industrialisation process were formed by people that behaved and thought in similar ways since they performed similar work tasks with group-oriented goals (Greek, 2005). They were characterised by having mechanical solidarity. They had 'an intense and rigid collective conscience invariabley reinforced by sacred religious belief' (Durkheim paraphased by Hopkins Burke & Pollock, 2004:10). In this kind of society 'Repressive

M Sc Dissertation Proposal ( Dividend policy) Essay

M Sc Dissertation Proposal ( Dividend policy) - Essay Example The dividend policies to be undertaken are based on the present and future financial attitudes of the company. The inclination and direction of the investors are also considered. A company may select any of the following three types of dividend policies; The disbursement and amount of dividends are factors for debate for quiet a long time now. Black (1976) states that, â€Å"Under conditions of symmetric information and taxes, dividends have been dubbed a puzzle†. A number of authors model dividend policy based on the assumption that info is dealt out asymmetrically between managers and capitalists. Bhattacharya (1979, 1980) indicates that firms pay dividends since dividends indicate the private information of directors and thus it assists market players evaluate about the firm accordingly. Some of the major oil producing companies in the UK and those listed in the stock exchanges is taken as sample for the research work. Their dividend policies and the percentage of pay out in these firms of the oil sector are considered for the research analysis. The study will follow the ‘Research Process’. Collis and Hussey explain, ‘Research is a process of enquiry and investigation that is conducted in a systematic and methodical way with a view to increasing knowledge’ (Collis and Hussey, 2009). In simple terms the research process can be understood in four steps, a) Plan Search, b) do the research, c) Collect info, and d) Evaluate and reflect. The research will be based on a secondary research. The rationale of the research is to analyse the dividend policy of the oil sector for the last five years. Based on the analysis, a conclusion of the dividend policy of the company will be figured out. The Lintners model on dividend policy will be surveyed to identify and explain the dividend policy of the oil sector. The analysis of the research would be to examine the number of firms which had