Social Structures Theories
1. Ecological thories - this theory concers the distribution of phenomena and their
relationships to their environment. It attempts to explain crime as a function of
social change that occurs along with environmental change.
2. Socail Ecology - Since the 1970s, social ecology studies have built on social
disorganizaiton theories. Many studies have found that crime retes are associated
with poverty, disorder, high numbers of abandoned buildings, and other sighns of
community deterioration.
3. Strain Theory (Social Class) - This theory about the relationships in which
others prebent the individualfrom achieving positively valued goals.
Notes:
A strain may be either;
-Structural: societal level filters down and affect how th individual perceives his
or her needs.
-Individuals: this refers to the frictions and painsexperienced by an individual as
they look for ways to satisfy their needs.
Note:
-In his anomie theory with Freud's reaction formation idea, Albert Cohen suggets
that delinquency among lower-class youths is a reaction against the social norms of
the middle class.
-Robert Agnew - In the 1990s, self-generated norms, focused on an individual's
immediate social environment. an individual's actual or anticipated failure to
achieve positively valued goals, actual or expected removal of positively valued
stimuli, and actual or expected presentation of negative stimuli all result in
strain.
-Richard Cloward and lloyd Ohlin - suggested that delinquency can result from the
differential opportunity for lower-class youth. Such youths may be tempted to take
up criminal activities, choosing an illegitimate path that provides them more
lucreative economic benefits than conventional, over legtal options. e.g minimum
wage-paying work jobs available.
4. Individual Theories
a. Trait Theory - under this theory, they believe that biological factors, together
with environmental and social factors, affect a person's propensity for crime.
b. Control Theory - this theory focuses on the control mechanisms, techniques, and
strategies for regulating human behavior leading to conformity or obedience to
society's rules.
Note: Travis Hirschi identified four main characteristics:
a. attachment
b. commitment
c. involvement
d. belief
Note: The Social Control Theory, as represened in the work of Travis Hirschi, fits
into the Positivist School, Neo-Classical School, andm later, Right Realism. it
proposes that oxploiting the process of socializaiton and social learning builds
self-control and reduces the inclination to indulge in behavior recognized as
antisocial.
Four types of control:
1. Direct: by which punishment is threatened or applied for wrongful behaviou, and
compliance is rewarded by parents, family and authority figures.
2. Indirect: by which a youth refrains from delinquency throught the conscience or
superego.
3. Internal; by identification which those who influence behavior, say because his
or her delinquent act might cause pain and disappintment to parents and others with
whom he or she has close relationships.
4. Control through needs satisfaction, i.e. if all an individual's needs are met,
there is no point in criminal activity.
Question: What is the drift theory?
Answer: Drift theory is about 'driftting' between criminal and non-criminal
behavior, and were relatively free to choose whether to take part in delinquency.
This theory was founded by David Matza.
Question: What is Routine Activity Theory?
Answer: Lawrence Cohen and Marcus Felson take the position crime amy be explaned as
the convergence of three elements: 1. A motivated offender, 2. suitable target, 3.
lack of a capable guardian.
Anomie Theory
-Emile Durkheim, a noted French sociologist, nade significant contributions to the
study of human behaviory. According to him, crime has functional consequences, such
as fostering flexibility. In 1893, Durkheim introduced his version of the concept
of "animie."
-The word comes form a Greek word meaning "whithout norms"
-According to Durkheim, primitive societies are characterized by "mechanical
soliddarity."
Note:iAnomie defined anything or anyone against or outside the law or a condition
where the current laws were not applied, resulting in a state of illegimitacy or
lawlessness.
Anomie =
