Merton's Beliefs Contributing To The Cause Of Crime

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Dylan,
I also have similar beliefs when it comes to the causes of crime and that it mostly comes down to the individual. While we can argue that a person’s surroundings may make crime seem more acceptable, it does not in my belief take away that person’s choice to commit a crime or not commit a crime. I also agree with Merton’s theory that an individual will have factors specific to them that will cause them to commit a crime. Some of Merton’s thoughts are not that much different than that of Bentham from the Classical School of Criminology whom I most agree with. As we saw, Bentham believed a criminal was a person who was able to calculate the cost and benefits of committing a crime. Aside from those who are suffering from mental illness,