Theories Flashcards
Social Disorganization Theory
-Who: Chicagoan sociologists
-How it developed: they were interested in understanding how a city grows and develops and how this relates to crime, used the metaphor of a living organism
-Key findings: crime and delinquency are a product of the breakdown of social institutions and the weakening of social bonds within communities. Efforts to reduce juvenile delinquency should focus on addressing the underlying social factors contributing to social disorganization, such as poverty, unemployment, inadequate housing, and lack of social services
Strain Theory
-Who: Robert K. Merton
-How it developed: Merton was a functionalist who believed that shared values and norms in society help permit order and stability. Curious about the relationship between strains, adaptation, and crime
-Key findings: crime is not just a product of individual levels of deviance, it is one way of adapting to limited access due to structural inequalities or strains
General Strain Theory
-Who: Professor Robert Agnew
-How it developed: based his ideas on that of both Durkheim and Merton, wanted to know things like why some people do not resort to crime and if there are more types of strains and responses
-Key findings: provided a rationale for why individuals choose one adaptation over another when presented with a strain
Subcultural Theory
-Who: Albert Cohen
-How it developed: Merton’s strain theory was criticized for not being able to explain non-material crime, so subcultural theory was developed to explain such crime in terms of subcultures
-Key findings: those who deviate hold different values to mainstream society. Crime and deviance are a reaction by a group who rejects the majority view or feels excluded. This theory is still used today to inform gang prevention
Theory of Delinquent Gangs (1960)
-Who: Cloward and Ohlin
-How it developed: why different environments give rise to different types of gang subcultures based on the types of opportunities available
-Key findings: the likelihood of delinquent behavior among youth depends on the availability of opportunities, both legal and illegal
Subterranean Values and Neutralization Theory (1964)
-Who: Sykes and Matza
-How it developed: how offenders drift from legitimate to illegitimate lifestyles repeatedly
-Key findings: people drift between conformity and deviance throughout their life, criminal subcultures are formed through shared subterranean values, people use neutralization to protect self-image and mitigate any guilt or shame they may feel, neutralization techniques make drift possible
Labeling Theory
-Who: Howard Becker
-How it developed: addressing the process by which some people come to be defined or labeled as deviant while others do not, also addressing the consequences of applying the label of deviant or criminal
-Key findings: by being stigmatized as criminals, offenders were excluded from mainstream society and left with no alternative but to sink deeper into crime
Differential Association Theory
-Who: Edwin Sutherland
-How it developed: wanted to explore the importance of social interaction with people with deeper criminal values and greater criminal skills
-Key findings: suggests that criminal behavior is learned through social interactions with others who promote and support criminal activities, emphasizes the importance of relationships and social environment in the development of criminal behavior
Social Learning Theory
-Who: Akers
-How it developed: to explain how individuals learn to engage in criminal behavior through social interactions and experiences
-Key findings: The likelihood of engaging in crime depends on associations with others, personal definitions of behavior, reinforcement patterns, imitation of others, and various social and personal factors. Changes in these factors can lead to changes in behavior, suggesting that interventions targeting these areas can help prevent or reduce criminal activity
Social Control Theory
-Who: Hirschi
-How it developed: looked at why some people refrain from offending even though we are all potential criminals
-Key findings: Found that crime is more likely when our bonds to society are weak. These bonds are based on attachment, commitment, involvement, and belief. Also found that criminal offending is less likely where self-control is high
Realism
emphasizes practical, evidence-based approaches to addressing crime, focusing on real-world solutions and improvements rather than abstract theories
Rational Choice Theory
criminal behavior is a matter of choice and designed to maximize personal advantage, it is self-interested
Broken Windows Theory
minor signs of social disorder combined with low formal and informal social control can lead to more significant problems if not addressed. It emphasizes the importance of maintaining order through policing of minor offenses and community engagement to prevent a cycle of decline and to maintain a safe environment
Underclass Theory
-Who: Charles Murray
-Key findings: a distinct social group characterized by long-term unemployment and welfare dependency has emerged. This underclass creates a criminogenic subculture that has higher rates of crime and antisocial behavior
Displacement Theory
the idea that efforts to prevent crime in one area can lead to the movement of crime to another area, rather than reducing the overall level of crime. Types of displacement: spatial, temporal, target, tactical, and functional
