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Sociological theory of causation of crime
Theories on crime causation
Sociological theory of causation of crime
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Routine activity theory presents a systematic approach to comprehending the dynamics of criminal behaviour. According to this theory, three key elements must align for a crime to take place: a motivated offender, a suitable target,
This theory is based on three elements of why the crime occurs: “a motivated offender, suitable target, and lack of guardians” (Burkey, T., 2015). A motived offender is an offender that is committed and capable of committing the crime (Burkey, T., 2015) A suitable target “can be an object or person”, the offender may pick someone or something that is vulnerable and has some kind of award/ benefit towards the offender (Burkey, T., 2015). For example, a robber’s suitable target would be someone who has looks to be rich by what a person is wearing and that is probably coming out a bank because that would give the robber a hint that the person just took out money. Lack of capable of guardians is not having an adult who could stop the offender from committing the crime which can also go to suitable target because this can show vulnerability (Tewksbury, R.,
Within the past couple of decades, criminologists have developed different criminological theories that apply to the social behaviors and decisions of criminals. One of the earliest theories developed regarding criminality is the rational choice theory, in which describes the rationalization of determining if the rewards from committing the crime outweigh the consequences. In Scarver’s case, his decision to engage in criminal activities outweighed the potential consequences, or the other alternatives if he did not engage in such criminal activities. In addition to the rational choice theory, Scarver’s criminality can be related to the social disorganization theory, which describes the influence of one’s social and physical environment on one’s decision to commit a crime. Lastly, the strain theory can be related to Scarver’s criminality as well, as it is used to describe an individual who lacks the means to obtain such goals, and aspirations, so therefore, he or she engages in criminal activities to acquire the goals.
Criminal and conflict gang whose primarily intent of crimes for tangible gains. Social structure theorists consider that the main components to illegal behavior are the ascendancy of social and economic influences that are distinguished in rundown communities where the population is predominantly lower-class citizens (Siegel, 2010). This following theory goes into helping us comprehend ways the human behavior, is the result of physical
On the other hand, Social Process Theory shows criminality as a part of people's interactions with various
Question 4: Which particular theories do you think best explain organized crime, and why? Answer: I think the theories that best explain organized crime are the social control theory, Albanese’s theory of typologies, and Sutherland’s theory of differential association (Mallory, 2012). The social control theory explains that a person will look at the rewards and punishments that will result from committing crime, and if an individual becomes a part of organized crime there are more possibilities for rewards (Mallory, 2012).
For social control theory, the underlying view of human nature includes the conception of free will, thereby giving offenders the capacity of choice, and responsibility for their behavior. As such, social control theory is aligned more with the classical school of criminology than with positivist or determinist
The social control theory (also known as the social bond theory) has a close tie to crime as it is a proposal that emphasizes what people take into consideration before breaking the law or becoming deviant. Some of these include commitments, relationships, values, norms and beliefs. Travis Hirshi developed this theory in the year 1969 as an effort to answer the question as to why people obey the law. The theory implies that when the bond to society has weakened, people are more likely to participate in criminal activity. A sufficient amount of social connections and social networking would usually prevent the immoral actions but as a person experiences it less the probability that they would participate in those kinds of activities increases.
Social process theory has several subdivisions including: social control theory, social learning theory and social reaction (labeling) theory (will only focus on social control theory). Social control theory insinuates every person has the possibility of becoming a criminal, but most people are influenced by their bonds to society. It contends that individuals obey the law and are less likely to commit crime if they have: learned self-control, attachment (to family, friends, peers, education, etc.), commitment (to school, learning, etc.), involvement (in leisure activities, sports, etc.), and belief (those that are positive). According to social control theory, an individual is more likely to be criminal/deviant if they are detached and alienated (from friends, education, family, etc.),
Criminology uses many theories to study crime, such as Social bond theory, Control theory social, containment theory etc. Social bond theory includes a various forms of social attachment theories. Attachment is a complicated process starting at birth with a maternal connection. This premature form of joint sets the standard for an individual's future attachments to friends, family members, co-workers and lovers. Control theory suggests a responsibility towards one's behavior.
It does not consider other factors such as criminal associations, individual traits, and inner strains, which plays a significant role in determining punishment for the individuals in committing crimes. It is observed that this theory endeavours to know that whether the activities of crime as well as the victim’s choice, criminals commit the activities on start from rational decisions. The theory also determines that criminals consider different elements before committing crime. They engage in the exchange of ideas before reaching on any final decision. These elements consist of consequences of their crimes, which include revealing their families to problems or death, chances of being arrested, and others elements, which comprises of placement of surveillance systems (Walsh & Hemmens, 2010; Lichbach,
Crime causation is the study of the reasons why individuals commit crimes and covers four main theories. The strain theory suggests individuals commit crimes to relieve psychological strain. The social learning theory that suggests individuals commit crimes as a product of their environment. Where control theory suggests that individuals chose an easier alternative to what their environment provides. Lastly, is the anomie theory, a social context where an individual commits a crime in response to alienation from society.
David Garland (2002), a sociologist and criminologist, is renowned for his publications on cultural and political philosophy and research on crime, punishment, and social control REF. Garland contends in his book "The Culture of Control: Crime and Social Order in Contemporary Society" that a multitude of social, economic, and political changes that have taken place over the previous few centuries due to the emergence of the ‘culture of control. Garland (2002) has written significantly on topics pertaining to social change and the state’s influence on societal standards. He particularly focuses on the changes in crime in the United States (US) and the United Kingdom (UK) from 1975- 2000 REF. Both these countries have demonstrated how they have
There are several models that explain why people commit crime. One area of study, learning theories of crime, maintains the assumption that crime is not inherent, but rather crime is learned from family, friends, or other peers. One example of a learning theory is Social Learning Theory, which was developed by Ronald Akers in 1973. This theory explains the process that individuals go through in learning deviant or criminal behavior. It was developed as a response to and an expansion of previous theories.
Social construction is one of the topic that suggests that crime is defined by society, James Treadwell (2012, p.15). Marking a particular behaviour criminal happens when society gives that definition to the behaviour, as well as, to those who are involve in the criminal act. All-inclusive, the public finds that action as troublesome, hence, what the community considers to be ‘bad’ is socially constructed, which means there is nothing solely in the behaviours that indicates that they have to be forbidden, Case, S. et al. (2017, p.58). Overall, even though people say that crime is when someone commits an illegal act, everyone breaks the law at some time in their lives but do not consider themselves as criminals.
