1. Understanding Crime

2. Causes Of Crime We left off discussing theories why crime occur.
There are differing opinions.
The opinion you hold affects crime fighting tactics
That impacts quality of life, schools, taxes...
Choice Theory
Biological Theories
Psychological Theories
Sociological Theories
Conflict Theories
Integrated Theories
Victimization Theories

3. Causes Of Crime Sociological Theories Social Structure Theory
Strain Theory
Social Process Theory
Differential Association Theory
Social Control Theory
Labeling Theory

4. Causes Of Crime Sociological Theories
Sociological explanations of crime are most common

5. Causes Of Crime Sociological Theories
Why are sociological theories of crime so important?

6. Causes Of Crime Sociological Theories
Social Structure Theory
Obvious social class distinctions in America.
Upper, Middle and Lower Class

7. Causes Of Crime Sociological Theories
Social Structure Theory—cont’d
Conflicts and problems of urban social life and communities control the crime rate.
Transitional Neighborhoods
Social Disorganization
Value Conflict

8. Causes Of Crime Sociological Theories
Social Structure Theory—cont’d
Poverty: $17,029 income for family of four (4)
Median US Household Income: $40,800
Are there racial differences in the poverty rate?
If so, what is the effect on people and society?

9. Causes Of Crime Sociological Theories
Social Structure Theory—cont’d
Life in deteriorated housing areas
These areas attract crime, drug dealing,prostitution
These problems, and the criminal environment that goes with them, are more acute for racial and ethnic minorities.
Negative racial and ethnic stereotyping can lead to lower employment opportunities and greater income inequality.

10. Causes Of Crime Sociological Theories
Social Structure Theory—cont’d
Culture of Poverty

11. Causes Of Crime Sociological Theories
Social Structure Theory—cont’d
Effects of being “Truly Disadvantaged”

12. Causes Of Crime Sociological Theories
Social Structure Theory—cont’d
Realities of being “Truly Disadvantaged”
Inner city poverty is eternal and unchanging
Manufacturing jobs formerly available disappearing
Scarce work results in loss of discipline & structure
Children are not socialized in mainstream society

13. Causes Of Crime Sociological Theories
Social Structure Theory—cont’d
Does racism really still exist in America?
If it does, is it becoming more subtle? How?
What exacerbates the problem?

14. Causes Of Crime Sociological Theories
Social Structure Theory—cont’d
What would be the effect of constant assaults on your self image and sense of worth?

15. Causes Of Crime Sociological Theories
Middle Class Values
Education
Hard Work
Sexual Abstinence
Honesty
Sobriety
Lower Class Values
Being Cool
Promiscuity
Intemperance
Fearlessness
Scorn Authority
Live for Today
Seek Excitement
Shun Formal Education

16. Causes Of Crime Sociological Theories
Why do lower class youth often have such different values?

17. Causes Of Crime Sociological Theories
Lower Class Focal Concerns
Trouble: Status from fighting, drinking, sex
Toughness: Reject sentiment, Accept fighting, athletic
Smartness: Streetwise, Outsmart, Con, Gambling
Excitement: Sex, fighting, gambling
Fate: Believe in spiritual forces; Hitting the jackpot
Autonomy: Losing control is weak, Independence from parents, teacher, police is cool.

18. Social Structure Theory Practical Implications
Linked to the Rehabilitation Perspective
If poverty and strain cause crime, efforts to improve economic opportunity should be able to help reduce crime.

19. Causes Of Crime Sociological Theories
2. Strain Theory
A subset of Social Structure Theory
Robert Merton: Formulated Strain Theory

20. Causes Of Crime Sociological Theories
Recall
Anomie: The absence or weakness of rules, norms, or guidelines as to what is socially or socially acceptable.

21. Causes Of Crime Sociological Theories
Strain Theory—Cont’d
Inability of lower class to achieve culturally defined goals results in alternative solutions to meet their need for success.
Innovation: Steal, Sell Drugs, Extort Money
Retreatism: Drug Abusers, Alcoholics, Wanderers
Rebellion: Revolutionaries

22. Causes Of Crime Sociological Theories
Strain Theory—Cont’d
Robert Agnew: Expanded Anomie Theory
Recognized sources of strain besides financial
Negative Experiences
Child Abuse
Loss of Positive Supports
End of Romantic Relationships

23. Causes Of Crime Sociological Theories
3. Social Process Theories
Learning Theories
Differential Association Theory
Control Theories
Social Control Theory
Labeling Theory

24. Causes Of Crime Sociological Theories
Social Process Theories
Theories that people learn to commit crime by exposure to
Antisocial Behaviors
They believe criminal behavior depends on experience with rewards and punishments.
Rewards for deviance leads to crime.
NOTE: Similarity to Behavioral Theory
Important

25. Causes Of Crime Sociological Theories
Social Process Theories
Fact: People abuse drugs in all strata of society
Fact: Most poor people have conventional values
Fact: Most poor people are not criminals
Conclusion: Something common to all social strata must be affecting crime.
Important

26. Causes Of Crime Sociological Theories
Social Process Theories
Crime and Delinquency Risk
Home:

27. Causes Of Crime Sociological Theories
Social Process Theories
Crime and Delinquency Risks
Educational:

28. Causes Of Crime Sociological Theories
Social Process Theories
Crime and Delinquency Risks
Peers:

29. Causes Of Crime Sociological Theories
Social Process Theories--Learning Theories
Differential Association Theory

30. Causes Of Crime Sociological Theories
Social Process Theories--Learning Theories
Social Control Theory
Important

31. Social Control Theory Practical Implications
Social Process Theories--Learning Theories
Social Control Theory
Linked to the Rehabilitation Perspective
Advocates programs to strengthen:
Societal Bonds
Family Involvement
Counseling Programs
School Prevention Programs
Inmate Treatment and Educational Programs

32. Causes Of Crime Sociological Theories
Social Process Theories--Learning Theories
Labeling Theory

33. Labeling Theory Practical Implications
Social Process Theories--Learning Theories
Labeling Theory
Linked to the Noninterventionist Perspective
Advocates limited offender contact with CJ System
Prefers:
Deinstitutionalization
Restitution Programs

34. Causes Of Crime Political Theories
Conflict Theory

35. Conflict Theory Practical Implications
Linked to Restorative Justice Perspective
Advocates restoration of damages social relations by
Mediation
Arbitration
Restitution
Forgiveness

36. Causes Of Crime Integrated Theories
Latent Trait Theory
Developmental Theory

37. Causes Of Crime Integrated Theories
Latent Trait Theory
Belief that some people have a personal characteristic that controls their likelihood to commit crime.
Low Intelligence
Impulsive Personality
Genetic Defect
Important

38. Causes Of Crime Integrated Theories
Best Known Latent Trait Theory
General Theory Of Crime
Criminals have a “here and now” orientation
Refusal to work for long term goals
Lack diligence, tenacity and persistence
Criminality Appeal: Immediate Gratification
Money without work
Sex without courtship
Revenge without court delays
Important

39. Causes Of Crime Integrated Theories
Developmental Theory
Important

40. Causes Of Crime Integrated Theories
Developmental Theory
Key Turning Points in a Criminal Career
There is a positive combined effect

41. Developmental Theory Practical Implications
Integrated Theories
Developmental Theory
Fact: Building social capital (positive relationships that foster self worth and inhibit crime) and social bonds reduces long term criminality.
Fact: Life events help terminate of sustain criminal careers.
Important

42. Causes Of Crime Theories Of Victimization
Some theories of crime examine the role victims play in provoking or encouraging crime.
Lifestyle Theory
Routine Activities Theory

43. Causes Of Crime Theories Of Victimization
Lifestyle Theory
Partying and drug use increases likelihood of violent crime involvement

44. Causes Of Crime Theories Of Victimization
Routine Activities Theory

45. Break Read assignments. Participate in class discussions.
Review notes weekly.