Why Crime Happens

Sociological Theories of Crime

Before We Get Started…

What do you see?

An elderly woman?

A young woman?

How about another?

How many months have 30 days?

11 (all of them except February!)

Let’s Get Down to Business!

You’ve learned about…Psychological Theories of CrimeClassical Theories of Crime, andBiological Theories of Crime

Let’s add one more!Sociological Theories!

What do Sociologists Believe?

• Sociologists emphasize that human beings live in social groups and that those groups and the social structure they create influence behavior.

How does this relate to Crime?Most sociological theories of crime assume that it is the person’s environment that impacts a person’s criminal behavior, NOT there physiological makeup.People are NOT born to be criminals!

What are we going to learn about?

The Theory of the Chicago SchoolStrain TheorySocial Control TheoryLabeling TheoryConflict Theory

Theory of the Chicago School

Developed by a group of sociologists in the 1920’s that were living in the Chicago areaThey wanted to find out if there was a relationship between a neighborhood’s crime rate and the characteristics of that neighborhood

Their Findings…

Neighborhoods with high crime rates also had social disorganizationControls of criminal behavior are absent•Approved by community (parents/neighbors)

•Numerous opportunities•Little encouragement, training, or opportunity for employment

Examples in Lincoln?

Poverty?Illiteracy?Lack of education?Unemployment?Illegitimacy?

Where does crime occur in Lincoln?

Strain Theory

Robert Merton 1938Contradiction in the U.S

Cultural goalsSocial structure

Cultural goals

What are socially acceptable goals?

WealthStatusPolitical powerAny others?

Social Structure

What are the socially acceptable ways of attaining cultural goals?

EducationHard workInvestment

It’s all about the Benjamins!Merton’s Strain Theory emphasizes monetary success as the primary cultural goalOpportunities are not equally distributed in societyCauses some people to turn to illegitimate means to reach these goals

So how do people adapt?

Five ways1. Conformist

Accept the goals and ways of achievement

2. InnovatorAccept the goals but reject how to get there

How do people adapt?

3. RitualistsReject goals but accept means

4. RetreatistsReject both the goals and means

5. RebelsWant to replace the existing goals and means with their own system

So which one is the criminal?

Conformist?Innovator?Retreatist?Ritualist?Rebel?

It is the INNOVATOR

These individuals use illegal means to gain socially acceptable goals

MoneyPowerSuccess

Social Control Theory

Instead of asking why crime happens, Social Control Theory asks Why Doesn’t Crime Happen?

What do you think? Why do people conform?

Who is responsible for this Theory?

The lead sociologist for Social Control Theory is Travis HirschiCauses of Delinquency 1969Crime happens when juveniles, YOU, are not “properly” socializedSocialization happens through a strong bond to society

How does Socialization happen?

Attachment to othersExamples?

Commitment to conventional lines of actionExamples?

Involvement in conventional activitiesExamples?

Belief in the moral order and law

What are the types of Control?

Direct ControlEfforts to directly control behavior• Setting rules• Monitoring behavior

• Punishment for rule violations

• Reinforcement for conventional behavior

Types of Control…

Stake in ConformityWhat might be lost by engaging in delinquent behavior?Those with a lot to lose are less likely to be delinquent

2 FunctionsEmotional attachmentInvestment in activities

What do you think?

Based on what you’ve learned so far, what sociological theory of crime do you agree with?Chicago School Theory?Strain Theory?Social Control Theory?

WHY???

Types of Control…

Internal ControlThe ability to restrain yourself from participating in delinquent behavior

Labeling Theory

When you hear the word “Label,” what comes to mind?How would you label yourself?

What is Labeling Theory?

It focuses on the reaction to delinquency or criminal behaviorOfficial reaction: Law enforcement, judicial penaltiesInformal reaction: parents, friends, teachers

What do these theorists argue?People who are labeled as delinquent or criminal are often seen as being “bad” or “evil.”

This view leads other people to reject them and treat them in a harsh manner“Harsh/rejecting” response increases the probability of further criminal behavior

Here’s what they askWhy are some acts defined as criminal or delinquent?How do other’s react to criminal behavior?What impact does the reaction to delinquency have on further delinquency?Why are some offenders more likely to experience the harsh/rejecting reaction than others?Are some offenders more likely to respond to the harsh/rejecting reaction?

Why are some acts defined as criminal?

Societal rules?Laws?Expectations?Cultural norms?

Other’s reaction to delinquencyHarsh/rejecting reaction

First labeled as “bad” or “evil”This leads others to treat you harshly or reject you

Failure to respondNever find outDelinquency is ignored or mildly punished

Condemn the action but accept the individual

Condemn the sin but love the sinner

Why does harsh/rejecting reaction lead to more delinquency?

Reduces controlReduces direct controlReduces stake in conformityInternal control may be weakened

Increases strainDifficult to achieve goalsLoss of positive stimuli and increase in negativeIncrease level of irritability

Why does harsh/rejecting reaction lead to more delinquency?

Increases social learning of delinquencyCreates a delinquent self-concept

Charles Cooley: Cooley’s Looking Glass SelfWe perceive ourselves as other’s perceive usPeople’s reaction to us shape our identityDevelop self feeling based on these reactionsPositive and negative reactions

What determines the H/R reaction?

Most important factor is whether the criminal behavior that is engaged in becomes known to other’s, especially frequent and/or serious crimesSocio-economic statusIndividuals that associate with delinquent othersWhat about gender?

So what do you think?

Conflict Theory

Focuses on the conflict in society between rich and poor, management and labor, whites and minoritiesAssumes that society is based primarily on conflict between competing interest groups and that criminal law and the criminal justice system are used to control subordinate groups.Crime is caused by relative powerlessness

Four primary assumptions of Conflict Theory

CompetitionWe all compete for scarce resources •Money, leisure, partners, etc.

Structural InequalityInequalities in power and reward are everywhere! It’s automatically built in•If you benefit, you try to keep it

Four primary assumptions of Conflict Theory

RevolutionChange occurs as a result of conflict between social class’s competing interests•It’s fast

WarIt is a unifier, it brings the societies involved togetherCan also end whole societies

So how does this apply to Crime?

Criminal Justice system and the law are viewed as working for the upper classi.e. the social elites, the rich, those in power - the bourgeoise

The “system” is aimed at imposing standards of morality and good behaviorWho determines what is moral or good?

So Why is Crime Committed?

The lower class, the poor, or the proletariat commit crime to even the playing field.It’s done out of necessityWant or need to “improve their lot in life.”Way to gain money and power

Let’s tie it all together…

Look through your notesWhat do the following have in common?Chicago School theoryStrain TheorySocial Control TheoryLabeling TheoryConflict Theory