Abstract This paper examines and analyzes how theory helps our understanding of crime and the crime problem. The focus of the discussion is on crime in Australia, and focuses specifically on the media's tendency to sensationalize crime stories and incite fear of crime in order to sell newspapers, pursue political agendas, or make journalistic reputations. .
Tags: SOCIOLOGY / CRIME AND DEVIANCE (ISSUES, THEORY, THEORISTS), crimetheory
Abstract The paper discusses the origins, strengths and weaknesses of gender-based theories of criminal behavior and whether they are consensus-based or conflict-based. The paper discusses how gender-based theories of crime are often neglected in investigation into crimetheory. The paper explains that such dismissals are erroneous, not only because they ignore the role women play in crime but because they dismiss discussion over why males are so proportionally involved in crime.
Outline:
Introduction
The Birth of Gender-Based CrimeTheories Contemporary Gender-Based CrimeTheories Strengths and Weaknesses of Gender-Based Theories of Criminal Behaviour
Gender-based Theories of Crime as Conflict or Consensus-Based Approaches
Conclusion
From the Paper "The lack of theoretical investigation into gender-based schemas of crime has been noted by contemporary criminologists. This is strange, given that gender is clearly a notable factor in criminal and delinquent behaviour: only 7 percent of prison inmates and 11 percent of jail inmates are female, and women comprise only 14% of sworn officers in large police departments (Flavin, 2003, p. 225). So why is gender and its relationship to crime so often overlooked in academic circles? Past inattention to the issue has been somewhat redressed in recent times based on a growing number of gender-based theories of criminal behaviour. The sum of these theories generally relate to the "invisibility" of women in a patriarchal society defined by paternalism, sexism and traditional notions of chivalry. Gender theories of criminal behaviour generally revolve around two schools of thought: that of criticizing traditional male approaches to crime study and of developing "gender-sensitive interpretations of deviance and a consideration of the nature of female criminality" (Williams & McShane, 2004, p. 254)."
Abstract In this article, the writer discusses that in the field of criminology, various theories have been advanced to explain why people commit crimes. The writer notes that more manageable and more conventional is the listing of theories provided by Victor Jupp, which posits four theories: biological, social bonding, social structure and psychological bonding. Jupp points out that these four theories reflect the learning of different intellectual disciplines and come to widely different opinions about the individual criminal, but are all directed to the common question - why do people commit crimes? The writer concludes that while each of these theories offers some insight, there is a frustrating difficultly in criminology. The writer maintains that although criminology may be able to explain why certain people have committed certain crimes, it is frustratingly less effective at discerning how one might commit crimes and how to prevent them.
From the Paper "The biological theory and the social bonding theory both assume that the individual develops into a criminal because of inborn factors. Lombroso and his followers contend that the stigmata mark the atavistic criminal, and these cannot be changed. Eysenck and company contend that, certainly in the adult, the personality is largely unchangeable, and in the case of the criminal, the psychoticisms cannot be removed. By contrast, social structure theories contend that the individual is more of a blank slate, shaped by his surroundings, so that if these surroundings can be manipulated, criminality will not develop."
Abstract This paper examines the general theory of crime set forth by Michael R. Gottfredson and Travis Hirschi. The paper delineates what the theory is and then presents a critique of it using the Social Organizational theory. In the final analysis, the paper concludes that Social Organizational theory offers a fairly trenchant rebuttal of some of the careless assumptions made in Gottfredson and Hirschi's general theory of crime."
From the Paper "Any critical evaluation of criminal theory is fraught with difficulty insofar as no one explanation satisfactorily explains all of the various reasons why human beings engage in illicit behavior. Be that as it may, the Social Organizational theory comes closer than most to elucidating why human beings often act in the manner they do and it provides a constructive critique of the general theory of crime put forward by respected academics like Gottfredson and Hirschi. The purpose of this paper is two-fold: firstly, the paper will briefly outline what is meant by the "General Theory of Crime" as it most commonly understood. Secondly, the paper will evaluate this theory using the Social Organizational theory that has gained such popularity in recent years."
Abstract In this article, the writer notes that followers of the social organization theory believe the degree of a society's organization is correlated with violent crime. The writer maintains that if a community has strong social institutions or organizations, there will be less violent crime. Conversely, the writer points out that in a society where social organizations are under-funded, weak or ineffective, there will be higher instances of crime. The writer argues that social organization theories are right to emphasize the importance of institutions, which after all exist to serve public needs such as safety and education. It is also important to note, as social process theories do, that these institutions are made up of individuals, and as social creatures, these inter-relations fulfill basic human needs. Thus, the writer claims that a more comprehensive approach to preventing violent crime would be to ensure that institutions such as schools and law enforcement are well-funded.
From the Paper "The strengths of the social organization theory of crime can be seen in the success of recreational programs targeted to at-risk youth. These programs are designed to meet the youth's problems in a positive way, encouraging them to form healthy attachments with their peers and mentors. One such successful project is the "Comin' Up" program in Forth Worth, Texas. Comin' Up is a midnight youth-oriented basketball league that was convened to give gang members an alternative activity to crime and violence. Since the program was initiated, Fort Worth police reported a 39 percent decrease in juvenile crime. Similarly, mentoring programs stress the need for mentoring programs for youths having difficulty at school. This requires concerted efforts on the part of teachers and other educators, as well as counselors and social workers. Athletic leagues, summer camps and similar recreation programs remain staples of community activities geared towards avoiding violent crime."
This paper covers some recent research into white-collar crime and ties it in with the rational-choice theory of crime. This paper focuses more on the causal aspect of white-collar crime than on the outcome aspect of it.
Abstract This paper discusses how the existing stereotype of a white-collar offender as a high-ranking executive may be flawed. The demographics of white-collar offenders suggest most of them are middle-class white males. It looks at the theories as to why such people would commit these crimes and explains that most theories center on the rational-choice decision making process because of the protracted and diligent nature of white-collar crimes. It further discusses how, within the white-collar inmate community, there also appear to be two separate pathways to white-collar crime: one marked by previous run-ins with the law before turning to white-collar crime, and the other one marked by no run-ins with the law.
From the Paper "White-collar crime has gained increased notoriety in recent years with the downfall of Enron, WorldCom, and insider trading by Martha Stewart. Despite its increased awareness in the public, its etiology is not well known. One of the main reasons for criminologists' naivete regarding white-collar crime is the lack of scientific research on the topic. The relative lack of data arises from an array of political, sociological, penological, and funding issues. The data that is available to researchers indicates that the existing stereotype of white-collar crime offenders is flawed."
Abstract This paper discusses the theories behind why some people commit violent crimes against others. It discusses classical theory which is based on the early work of Cecare Beccaria and Jeremy Bentham. It then goes on to describe rational choice theory, deterrence theory and the rationalist theory. The paper suggests that an understanding of all the theories are necessary in order to attempt to curb an increase in violent crime.
From the Paper "This is not to suggest that criminals should be coddled, a view parodied in the musical West Side Story when gang members sang out excuses for their bad behavior. If all criminal behavior were rationally driven, manipulation of the factors of certainty, severity and celerity would drastically reduce crime. However, ignoring the other things that influence and even detract from logical processes will lead to a greater understanding of why individuals commit crimes. In that way, the specific approach points to the general approach, because in research we find specific individuals, who, when grouped together in an effective research model, can suggest explanations for their behavior (Aurhahn & Parker, 1998). For example, research shows that alcohol abuse and violence correlate highly. But knowing such facts does not always point to simple solutions, possibly because behavior is too complex to be blamed on one behavior. This was demonstrated ironically and powerfully with this country's experiment with prohibition, which led to a dramatic increase in some crimes."
Abstract This paper is a research on the possibility of controlling organized crime. The author identifies drug trafficking, advancements in technology, and cultural problems in today's society as three problems that have major relevance and ties to organized crime and discusses how these factors led to the rise of organized crime in recent years. The author also discusses five different behavioral theories to aid the understanding of why individuals choose to lead lives the way they do. The paper also suggests potential solutions that federal departments in the U.S, such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Defense can adopt in enforcement efforts against organized crime.
Outline:
Drug Trafficking
Advancements in Technology
Cultural Problems
Methodology
Anomie Theory Differential Association
Differential Opportunity
Social Control Theory Subcultures and Social Disorganization
Potential Solutions
Conclusion
References
From the Paper "The mere mention of organized crime sends a chill through our people, and is a sometimes overlooked word that is always associated with television and movie fantasy. So the question still remains. How do we control organized crime? That will be the main topic of our research, and with empirical data and research, supporting articles and documents, and statistical research, we will work a theory on how organized crime may somehow be controlled. We must look at the big picture and how organized crime affects our society. We look at the picture and break it down individually to the very root of it. This question is a question that will always be asked of not only of our nation, but also of the international community. Organized crime is not only a prevalent issue in our American society, but also that of many other countries."
Tags: behavioral theories, law and policy, drug trafficking, society culture technology
Abstract This study seeks the origin and causes of a racial homicide in Jasper, Texas. Three schools of crimetheories help explain various dimensions of the crime. The classical school advances the social contract theory and the theory of proportionality. The Marxist school presents the labeling and conflict theories. Finally, the paper shows how Vernon Geberth and Erich Fromm advance the psychology of evil or malignant narcissism to explain the origin and cause of James Byrd's lynching.
From the Paper "The proponents of the proportionality theory claim that the punishment should fit the crime. For example, if the punishment for stealing a doughnut were the same for stealing a car, many would see no added risk in stealing the car. Therefore, crime would increase if the punishment did not fit the crime. For several generations in Jasper, law enforcement looked the other way and/or participated in racist crimes. The risk for committing these crimes was next to nonexistent. Therefore, these unchallenged crimes increased in our tragic history of racism, over the decades. (Hoffman, 1999) This theory helps explain the racist crime trends from the 1920s to the 1960s. Jasper in 1998 was seen as a vestige of that era. Another paradigm may help explain the events at Jasper."
Abstract This paper examines how theories on crime have been devised by numerous disciplines including economists, psychologists and sociologists were among them. It provides a definition and an overview of social disorganisation theory, social control theory and opportunity theories in relation to drawing on the work of Shaw and McKay (Chicago School) and Burgess' zonal theory of city development as well as the opinions of Hobbes, Nye, Reckless, Huschi and Burke.
From the Paper "In further support of the theory of social disorganisation is the Chicago Area Project, established by Clifford Shaw, which aimed to put some organisation back into these areas. It encouraged locals to form committees to fight crime and held recreational activities for youths to get them off the streets and give them something other than crime to do. An evaluation by Schlossman, Zellman and Shavelson in 1984 concluded that it had effectively reduced incidences of reported juvenile crime."
Tags: chicago, control, crime, criminology, community, city, development
Abstract This paper discusses Emile Durkheim and his theory that within his sociological theory of society crime was normal. In order to fully comprehend what this statement means an examination of Durkheim and his theory is required. The paper examines the life and ideas of Emile Durkheim, who was known as the father of sociology and his work was considered associated with what is now called strain theory.
From the Paper " In strain theory the individual within society has an "American dream" in which he envisions what his life will be like, although he sets goals beyond his reach. As the individual attempts to accomplish those goals he experiences obstacles that prevent his success. This is strain between the individual and society. According to Durkheim the strain could be alleviated by either the individual altering the goals that were set, or by society creating new opportunities that would allow the individual to achieve those goals (Coser, n.d., sec. 6)."
Abstract Hurricane Katrina was the worst natural disaster in American History. Although the storm itself was a destructive force, the social and political issues that arose in its wake are likely to go down in history as even more destructive. One of the most discussed social issues has to do with the increased crime rates that have occurred in cities that absorbed large numbers of Hurricane Katrina evacuees. The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of citizen displacement on cities such as Houston and San Antonio, Texas. In particular it focuses on the rising crime rate in Houston and the theory that may explain why there has been such a significant increase in the amount of crime in the area.
Outline:
Introduction
Crime Increases in Houston, Texas Following Hurricane Katrina
Social Disorganization Theory Conclusion
From the Paper "There may be several reasons why the increase in crime has been so prevalent in Houston. For the purposes of this discussion, we will focus on Social disorganization theory particularly as it relates to residential instability. According to National Criminal Justice Reference Service (NCJRS) social disorganization theory can be described as
"an inability of community members to achieve shared values or to solve jointly experienced problems (Bursik, 1988; Social Disorganization and Rural Communities)." The article explains further that the problem of social disorganization is usually prevalent in urban areas that are the only places the newly arriving poor (evacuees) can afford to live. "
Abstract The paper examines how the free market global economy has played a large role in increasing corporate crimes. The paper looks at the conflict between the economic theories of Adam Smith and John Maynard Keynes and shows how the details of economic global free market systems can identify the problems of 20th century white-collar crime within the discourse of rights and justice-based theory. The paper presents a strategic plan that will address systemic problems that facilitate corporate crime. The paper believes that with a coordinated resolve to fight corporate crime, this is a workable strategy that will improve the situation substantially and prevent a great deal of free market abuse.
From the Paper "The central issue of Adam Smith's "hidden hand" economics in the free market economy is the growing failure of the U.S. government to regulate the way that banking has been practiced in global markets. One example of this was the problem of the Savings and Loan Crisis, which often deregulated banking institutions, causing problematic ethical issues through justice based theories of fair and balanced market behaviors. In this case, the government did not enforce restrictions on competitive measures for commercial banks for the greater benefit of the banking industry."
Abstract This paper analyzes organized crime behavior in the film "Goodfellas" from a social control theory perspective. The paper uses concepts such as social norms and deviant behavior as well as social bonding theory in the analysis. The paper also discusses the character of Henry Hill in relation to social control theory.
From the Paper "Social control theories focus on the strategies and techniques that help regulate human behavior and thereby ensure conformity and compliance with social rules, including the influences of family, school, morals, values, beliefs and others. Essentially, social control theories contend that juveniles and adults conform to the law according to certain forces that seek to control their lives. Thus, these juveniles and adults are more likely to engage in behavior outside the law when these forces are defective or absent..."
Tags: social control theory, organized crime, goodfellas
Abstract This research examines Michael Milken's white-collar crimes and corporate deviance in terms of sociologist Robert K. Merton's theory of deviance. The research sets forth the context in which Milken's behavior patterns lend themselves to analysis from Merton's perspective and then discusses how shifts in Milken's behavior since the exposure of his white-collar crime can be explained by Merton's views.
From the Paper "Merton's conception of deviance is structured around the relationship between individual wants and needs on one hand and the ability to fulfill those wants, needs, and dreams on the other. According to Merton (25ff), the venue for fulfillment is society, and its class structure, institutions, cultural norms, and the position of the individual within the whole may facilitate, prevent, or retard fulfillment. Man, says Merton (195), "is to a very important degree controlled by his social relations to the instruments of production." Written and unwritten rules of engagement between individuals and between individuals and social institutions dominate life experience, such that social life amounts to life in a bureaucracy, with behavior assuming the character of ritual adherence to specific kinds of action."
