on whether they answer the question, whether they are accurate, whether they are
grammatically correct, and whether they are logically assembled. Answers can be no
longer than eight pages double spaced (no smaller than 11 point font). Your exams should be grounded in the
empirical literature and I do not want you to express your opinions on the exam.
Question: In the first half of this class, we have discussed Gottfredson and Hirschi’s general theory of
crime as well as Tom Tyler’s explanation for why people obey the law. At first glance, these
two pieces of scholarship may seem very different and somewhat incompatible. Upon further
reflection, there are a number of ways that these two perspectives could be integrated together.
Describe how these two perspectives could be unified. In so doing, be sure to provide specific
examples on how to link the two together. At the same time, feel free to point out and discuss
areas of each perspective that cannot be integrated. While this question provides you with much
leeway in terms of how you want to answer it, all statements must be supported by published
research.
References:
Gottfredson, Michael R. and Travis Hirs
Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press.
Tyler, Tom R. 2006. Why people obey the law. Princeton, NY: Princenton Univesity press.
