The word stigma is used to describe a state of disgrace or shame attributed to a certain type of behavior; it is how an individual behavior is perceived by others/society. Stigma often influences how an individual is treated by the community or society as a whole. Stigma can differ from place to place and change over time. Furthermore, it is considered multifaceted in that it can be attributed to the victim or the aggressor. A person's behavior can also impact stigma and perceptions. For example, wearing pants below the waist is synonymous with negative behavior. Therefore, a person who displays such a character is stigmatized and ridiculed because it is considered not just a fashion, but a wayward behavior. But even more seriously, the stigma is attached to former prisoners who struggle to reintegrate into society after serving their prison sentence. This makes life rather difficult due to the rejection from society. People who feel stigmatized generally continue to behave deviantly. Convicts and ex-prisoners perceived and anticipated stigmatization after their release; can lead to poor adaptation or recurrence. Certain types of criminals are more easily stigmatized than others, which has a direct impact on how a person may think or feel (self-esteem). There is a significant structural barrier to criminal offenders because society reacts more hostilely towards more serious and deviant criminal acts, for example sex offenders and drug dealers. Sex offenders are subject to high levels of stigma and are often limited in housing, financial assistance, employment, and community activities with the community. This phenomenon is accentuated in the absence of family ties, lack of employment opportunities and social rejection/disapproval. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay Criminologist John Braithwaite explains why there might be a difference in the impact of stigma. He argues that “shame” can be reintegrative shame or disintegrative shame. Reintegrative shaming is where the community works to reintegrate the offender into society. Regardless of whether shame still exists, efforts to reintegrate results in less deviance and recidivism – restorative justice results in less deviance. Disintegrative shame or stigma, on the other hand, causes offenders to react negatively, promotes deviance because society is too hostile toward the offender; which forces them to make friends with other criminals; this, in turn, encourages other criminals and the pursuit of deviant acts. Stigma also depends on the individual's perception of society's reaction towards them. Stigma impacts criminal behavior differently because people respond differently to labeling. They have different adaptation capacities; some may become more problematic or exacerbate inappropriate practices or may have a deterrent effect on others. Active criminal research and ethical issues Theories and research form the basis of criminology. To better understand criminal behavior, theories and hypotheses must be formulated, researched, and tested. The criminologist therefore investigates, collects and analyzes data to arrive ata conclusion. Research is therefore fundamental in criminology. Criminologists use different methodologies when conducting research such as surveys, experiments, comparative and historical research, and qualitative research. For the purposes of active criminal research, criminologists may conduct qualitative research. Criminologists have published interesting and fascinating studies on active criminals; Qualitative studies have provided important evidence or answers and a greater understanding of criminal behavior than any other research method could. Performance. Active criminal offender research is research conducted on offenders who appear to be continuing their criminal career. Because an individual may still be an active offender even while incarcerated, criminologists conduct research on offenders in prison, on probation or parole, or on the streets. The criminologist may observe criminal offenders to discover the causes, effects, and possible solutions to deviant behavior. Observation can be overt or covert, but participation in group activities can help the criminologist gain insight. Another research methodology involves in-depth interviewing of offenders. By conducting interviews, the researcher can observe bodily reactions, behaviors, gestures which can have a considerable impact on the study. Researchers are funded by social groups or political organizations with different interests. These studies tend to convince the public accordingly. Criminologists must therefore strive to ensure that research is inaccurate, as their opinions/results serve as the basis for social policy. According to Siegel, some of the key ethical questions include: What should be studied? who to study? How to study? Sociologists must take into consideration the availability of funding, the topics and primary objective, and the most appropriate research method to conduct the study. Active criminal investigations are beneficial because they tend to reveal more current criminal trends, subjects are also more likely to tell the truth, and more likely to represent populations not subject to discriminatory law enforcement. The Impact of Media Attention on Criminal Law Several factors influence crime trends, including the economy, availability of firearms, drug use, and the media. For the purposes of this study, the focus will be on the positive and negative impact that the media could have on criminal law. The media can have a positive impact on individual choices and opinions. Public perception is largely based on the amount of attention given to something by the media. Media attention to a particular crime can lead to increased awareness of the types of crimes committed in a particular area. Citizens can therefore take the necessary precautions and safety measures to protect themselves. In some cases, focusing on a particular crime may result in judicial review or legal pressure to improve the system. Media attention can also highlight changes in public opinion, such as with the Stoneman Douglas shooting and gun control, raise awareness, sometimes inspire victims to come forward or help to solve cases. On the other hand, media attention can have a negative impact on criminal law because it can interfere with ongoing investigations, give excessive publicity to a specific type of crime, provoke..