LEC 3 - Theories on Violence

Question 1

What is opportunity theory?

Answer 1

Opportunity theory, also known as Routine Activities Theory, was introduced by Lawrence Cohen and Marcus Felson in 1979. This theory suggests that crime occurs when three elements converge:

1. Motivated Offender: Someone who is willing to commit a crime.
2. Suitable Target: A person or property that is attractive to the offender.
   - Valuable
   - Inert (lacking the power to move)
   - Visible
   - Accessible
3. Absence of Capable Guardians: Lack of people or measures to prevent the crime, such as police, security systems, or vigilant neighbors.

The theory emphasizes that changes in routine activities, such as people spending more time away from home, can increase the opportunities for crime by making targets more accessible and reducing guardianship¹².

Question 2

What routines influence violence in opportunity theory?

Answer 2

1. Transport
2. Work
3. Residence
4. School
5. Nighttime Activity
6. Weather and Climate
7. Hot Spots for crime

Question 3

What are the Pro’s and Cons for opportunity theory?

Answer 3

Pro
- Simplicity
- Micro and Macro approach

Con
- No distinction between violent and non-violent crime
- No explanation for expressive violence

Question 4

What is Strain Theory Agnew?

Answer 4

Robert Agnew’s General Strain Theory (GST) expands on earlier strain theories by focusing on a broader range of stressors that can lead to criminal behavior. Here are the key points:

1. Types of Strain: Agnew identifies three main types of strain:
   
   • Failure to achieve positively valued goals: When individuals cannot reach their goals, they may experience frustration and anger.
   • Removal of positive stimuli: Losing something valuable, like a loved one or a job, can create stress.
   • Introduction of negative stimuli: Experiencing negative events, such as abuse or bullying, can lead to strain.
2. Emotional Response: These strains generate negative emotions like anger, frustration, and depression. These emotions create pressure for corrective action.
3. Coping Mechanisms: Individuals may cope with strain in different ways. Some may turn to crime as a way to alleviate their negative emotions, while others may find non-criminal ways to cope.
4. Factors Influencing Response: Not everyone who experiences strain will turn to crime. Factors such as personal characteristics, social support, and coping resources influence how individuals respond to strain¹².

Agnew’s theory helps explain why some people resort to crime when faced with stressors, while others do not.

Question 5

When does someone have a increased likelihood to result in criminal behavior according to the general strain theory?

Answer 5

• Regarded as illegitimate
• Large impact
• Associated with low self control
• Pre-disposed likelihood to respond to strain with criminal behaviour.

Question 6

What are the pro’s and con’s of the general strain theory?

Answer 6

Pro
-Micro, Meso and Macro

Con
- No differentiation between violent and non-violent crime
- No differentiation with personality characteristics

Question 7

What is Syke & Matza’s neutralization theory?

Answer 7

Sykes and Matza’s Neutralization Theory, introduced in 1957, explains how individuals justify their deviant behavior to avoid feeling guilt or shame. They identified five techniques of neutralization:

1. Denial of Responsibility: Offenders claim their actions were due to forces beyond their control, such as peer pressure or a difficult situation.
2. Denial of Injury: Offenders argue that their actions did not cause any real harm or damage.
3. Denial of the Victim: Offenders believe that the victim deserved what happened, often blaming the victim for the situation.
4. Condemnation of the Condemners: Offenders shift the focus to those who disapprove of their actions, suggesting that the condemners are hypocritical or corrupt.
5. Appeal to Higher Loyalties: Offenders justify their actions by claiming they were serving a higher purpose or loyalty, such as protecting a friend or family member.

These techniques allow individuals to neutralize the moral constraints that would normally prevent them from engaging in deviant behavior¹².

Question 8

What are the pro’s and con’s of neutralization techniques? Sykes & Matza

Answer 8

PROS:
APPLIED TO VARIOUS VIOLENT CRIMES, FROM RAPE TO HOMICIDE; GENOCIDE; HOLOCAUST; DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
# CONS:
NEUTRALIZATIONS “PRECEDE DEVIANT BEHAVIOUR AND MAKE BEHAVIOUR POSSIBLE”
(SYKES & MATZA, 1957; P. 666).