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Punishment as a deterrence for crime
Social control theory and criminal behavior
Social control theory and criminal behavior
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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
There are many differences between sociological theories, psychological theories, and theological theories of criminology. When comparing these theories, we are able to recognize how they work together in describing crime. However, these theories have more differences than they do similarities. Sociological theories take the time to explain the influences of society on criminal behavior. Psychological theories discuss the individual themselves, and how their personalities, IQ, or way of thinking influences criminal behavior.
For instance, the theory states that what makes individuals to commit crimes is because the choices they freely make in their own self interest at times clash with the interest of society. The theory therefore, behooved society to manipulate criminal acts through enacting punishment
In his interview, Martens also recalled how some of the kids he knew while growing up had family members that were involved in organized crime. When those kids became adults they too became organized crime criminals. (Woodiwiss, 2015) Through social learning those kids learned that it was socially acceptable to partake in illegal activities. Social learning also explains why organized crime exists because criminals have learned to not think about any negative outcomes.
This theory states that when there is crime in the neighborhood, more are likely to engage in crime. In this theory, crime is a result of the breaking down of societies norms (‘respect your mother’, ‘go to school’, etc.). The social disorganization theory is seen in many instances throughout the film. For example, one of the very first scenes show a woman screaming, spazzing and talking to herself. It is made obvious that this woman is either on drugs or just severely mentally ill.
Also ”gangs offer protection and governance in places where established institutions fail, and that it makes sense for prisoners to join them,” (Skarbek). This is the main reason people join gangs they are forced to in order to insure their safety. The reason the leaders of the gang allow people to join and keep the safe is explained here ”Gangs can trade far more effectively than lone inmates. Prisoners listen when they threaten violence; members can ease trade from the outside after their release. Consumers, in this case buyers of drugs, benefit too.
Finally, people may participate in mob activities because they feel safe within the mob. They might think that they will not get in trouble for whatever they are doing because they are in a large group
Previously mentioned, organized crime groups have connections with government officials and legitimate businesses to acquire services the other may have. Authors Lyman and Potter (2014) write, organize crime groups seek to make safe and profitable investments. These groups seek to do this in legitimate enterprises such as: bars, vending, banking, etc. Organized crime groups provide a connection
The first crime theory I will discuss is Differential Association theory. According to Edwin H. Sutherland, differential association is a learning theory that explains criminal behavior
Control theory suggests that people with weak ties to family or society are more likely to engage in criminal activity oppose to those with a strong family bond or community relation. Furthermore, it states that behavior is affected by what an individual wants the most at any given time. The broken windows theory is also related to the control theory. The broken windows theory states that having an ordered and maintained society will prevent crime from happening. Even small cosmetic changes such as a broken window can change the entire environment.
Social Structure theory is defined as a theory that explains crime by reference to the economic and social arrangements in society. This theory emphasizes relationships among social institutions and describes the types of behavior that tends to characterize groups of people rather than individuals (pg 151). Society structure and its relative degree of organization disorganization are important factors contributing to the prevalence of criminal behavior. Specific behaviors of single individual can be predicted but statistical group characteristics give probability that the same individuals will engage in those same specific crimes.
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.
A theory is a set of statements or principles developed to explain a group of facts or phenomena. It has been repeatedly tested and used to make predictions. Theories in this category attempt to explain why an individual commits a crime or delinquent behaviors. The primary goal of criminological theory is to help one gain an understating of why and how certain things are related to criminal behavior (Bohm and Vogel, 2011). Theories dissect the making and the breaking of the law, criminal different behavior, as well as patterns of criminal activity.
According to this theory people of all walks of life have the ability to become a criminal if they stay in destructive social relationships. The theory is broken down into three
This theory states that a crime occurred because of lack of development or evolution. Following that theory this is the psychological theories. Which looks at the individual 's behaviors or physiological state. Then there is the social structure theory. This looks into the background of the individual and social structure.
