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Comparing Sociological Theories And Social Conflict Theory

1093 Words5 Pages

Comparing Sociological Theories
Social disorganization theory, social conflict theory, and rational choice theory are uniquely different approaches to the causes of criminal behavior. The social disorganization theory explained crime in accordance to social location whereas the social conflict theory viewed this as a natural response by individuals who were denied equal access to society's resources. However, the rational choice theory assumption behind crime was that it is an individual choice. Each of these theories provides credence to our understanding of criminal behavior, yet they all fall short of being able to explain criminal behavior fully.
Social conflict theorists operate under the assumption that criminal behavior is directly linked …show more content…

Within her research, she emphasized the importance of cultural norms on impacting the level of informal social control found with these settings. Warner concluded from her findings that concentrated neighborhood disadvantage and the level of social bonds impact cultural strength and, in turn, the level of cultural strength significantly impacts informal social control. Integrating cultural disorganization within this model provides a clearer perception of criminal …show more content…

Lilly, Cullen, and Ball (2015 p. 368) conclude from their analysis of this theory that "perhaps the theory of rational choice would be bettered served by deleting the word 'rational' from its title." However, in evaluating the notion of rational risks within its theoretical framework, this conceptualization is more of an ideological model rather than a scientific paradigm.
Each of the contemporary sociological theories of criminal behavior tends to focus on crime as it exists within the poor and underprivileged neighborhoods. Social conflict theory and social disorganization theory view crime on the group level whereas rational choice theory identifies crime on the micro level based more on individual choices. Whereas social conflict views laws as developing from the conflict found within society, social disorganization theory assumes laws are formed from the consensus of the people within that

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