...Criminolgy Fall 2013 3 Major Sources of Crime Data Uniform Crime Report Officially reported crime Counts the # of offences known to police . (Doesn’t count the onest that are not reported (For example, Police Arrests) Crimes Reported Voluntary Participation Self Report UCR Part I Violent Crimes: Homicide, aggravated assault, property crimes, larceny, theft “serious crimes” Sean.007@umb.edu 9/10/13 Risk and Personal Safety Crime isn’t exploding The polls say it’s America’s #1 concern , new prisons, longer sentences. Film: Are we scaring ourselves to Death? What are some of the crime myths identified in the film. Crime Surge Particulary violent crime Old, white, women as victims of crime Stranger homicide Violenct Crime Facts National Commission on the causes and prevention of Violence Primarily an urban phenomenon Offenders are primarily males, youth ages 15-24 years minority, low SES individuals - Victims “...” Perpertartors are most likely to be acquantances Primarily committed by repeat offenders 6% for between 53% and 71% of violent crime. What year was this report published? 1969. Victimolgy Emergence: 1940’s Hans Von Hentig First person to really bring the idea of victim’s role in criminal events Victims precipitaton - idea that the victim brings on the criminal act Who is more likely to be victimized Victim- Offender Link Likelihood of vicitimization ...
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...Sociological Theories of Crime AIU Online April 9, 2016 There are many theories as to why one commits acts of crime. Some of the theories revolve around socialism. Others involve theoretical assertions based on socioeconomic status. And another has basis on personal attributes and rationale to thought in motive. There are also different thoughts to explaining criminal behaviors, one being classical school of thought and the other being a positivist school of thought. For the focus of this paper we will be looking at the four main theories: Social control theory, Strain theory, Differential Association Theory, and Neutralization theory. Social control theory is the theory that those who engage in socializing or social learning build self-control and lessens the likelihood of antisocial behavior. This theory also explains the conformity of behavior accepted in society. Anti-social behavior due to lack of social links within society lend strong indications to criminal behaviors. Travis Hirschi’s held this same theory of ‘‘social control’’ stating that if a man is not variously bound to society by some attachment, commitment, or involvement, he is, at risk criminally. (Muraven, 2006) One of the strengths in this theory is the recognition of wrongdoing by offenders. With the recognition of wrongdoing should come the accountability of action. Therein lies the weakness to this theory as accountability for one’s actions tends to be ignored in today’s society, easily dismissed...
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...------------------------------------------------- Theories of Crime Causation Unit 3 Ind. Project The Sociological Theories Abstract The author of this paper focuses on the mainstream of criminology and the sociological theories of crime that have dominated the landscape for decades. The author focuses specifically on the social control theory, strain theory, differential association theory and the neutralization theory. These theories are often spoken due to their historical significance which was discovered during research in an attempt to examine delinquency and deviant behavior. Included in this paper the author shares with you her opinion as to the strengths and weaknesses of each theory. Further, she provides you with an example of a recent criminal arrest as it pertains to one of the aforementioned theories and the relevance that it has in explaining the offenders criminal actions. The first and most influential strain theorist is Robert K. Merton (1938). His original statement of anomie/strain theory is the basis for all of the theoretical developments. The strain has two associate components the first component is strictly focused on the concept of anomie (abnormalities), while the second is centered on the social structures, and the influences that society contributes to the strain theory. If you were to separate or combined these two components either way can lead an individual to a higher level of deviance and/or criminal behavior. According to Merton (1938)...
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...Social Theories of Crime Linda Robuck AIU Online Abstract This text seeks to make more understandable and explain what social theories are all about, using four different social theories. The beginning of this text will offer a general description or definition of not only what exactly social theories are, but also a description or definition for each of the four theories mentioned earlier. For each of the theories, information that will be included involves a description of each theory, a short history of each theory which will include information with respect to when the theory was proposed, who the relevant theorist or theorists associated with each theory were, strengths of each theory which explains criminal behavior, why each theory was important at the time of its proposal, weaknesses of each theory which explain criminal behavior, and particular examples that will correspond with each of the four theories being discussed. A theoretical application involving an individual who has recently been convicted of a crime will be provided. Along with information regarding the individual and their criminal deviance particular to them, a discussion will ensue in regard to which of the four theories would be most relevant in regard to further explanation of the deviant actions committed by the individual. Social Theories of Crime Introduction In the annals of the early nineteenth century, criminology can find its beginnings in a newly urbanized...
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...Evaluation of Criminal Theory The study relating to the causes of, and reasons for, crime has long been an interest to criminologist and psychologist. Since the mid 1800�s different aspects of the scientific community have explored the question of why people commit crime. This paper will discuss several theories that have developed over the years, how those theories have grown and changed and which theories seem to be the most prevalent today. The theories that will be discussed revolve around the biological and psychological study of crime, the strain and cultural deviance studies of crime and the social control aspects of crime. All of these studies and theories will be compared and examined to understand the standing of criminology today. The first study of why people commit crime revolved around the belief that criminal behavior resulted from a persons� abnormal psychology. These theories suggest that criminal behavior is caused by some underlying physical or mental condition. These conditions separate the societies criminals from the non- criminals (Adler et. al, 2007 p.116). The first people to study this rationale where called Positivist Criminologist and believed that; Human behavior is determined by forces beyond individual control and that is it possible to measure those forces�{They} view criminal behavior as stemming from biological, psychological and social factors. (Adler et. al, 2007 p.60) In the late 1870�s, Cesare Lombroso...
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...Lauralee Candelario Professor Lawrie Criminology April 13, 2016 The social learning branch of social process theory suggests that people learn criminal behavior much as they learn conventional behavior. If an individual were to grow up in an environment that fostered the pursuit of academic interests, this intellect trait would have the ability for increased expression rather than if the individual were in an environment that placed little value on learning. This can in turn relate to criminal behavior and social deviance. Various developmental and sociological factors play a role in an individual’s inclination towards exhibiting criminal behavior. One of the most important environmental factors during childhood development is that of socialization or the way a child is taught how to act. Children learn to merely obey the rules of their society. Certain actions are repeated because of directly correlated consequences. A child does not intuitively know that stealing is wrong; they have to be taught through negative consequences that this behavior is not acceptable. They then internalize these rules and eventually believe them to be fundamentally correct. Socialization refers to the developmental period where the ideals of morality and socially acceptable behavior are instilled in a child. If a child is consistently taught how to act through both positive and negative reinforcement, the child will begin to exhibit certain characteristics because they...
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...The strain theory foundation was laid by a well known sociologist Robert Merton. Merton believed that when groups of people do not have access to particular resources within the community, they are faced with the issues of obtaining those achievements and/or resources. Often times the process by which these achievements and/or resources are obtained will lead to criminal action. This places tremendous pressure on individuals which can be described as strain. Merton also refers to the inability to obtain the achievements and/or resources honestly as blocked opportunity structure (Agnew 2006). Over time many studies regarding strain theory have been conducted which has altered the meaning of strain theory. Merton’s foundation of strain theory was built upon by a modern sociologist named Robert Agnew. Agnew took Merton’s strain theory and changed the theory behind which Merton believed that strain led to criminal and deviant behavior. Agnew’s newly defined definition of strain theory including the inability to obtain the achievements and/or resources need; but the loss of property and negative behavior displayed by others created strains (2006). Agnew also provided a structuralized approach to the strain theory by providing categories which the different behaviors can be classified. Agnew’s classification of the various form of strain theory can be determined by the resources available to an individual, behavior of others, and the experiences (both anticipated and unanticipated)...
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...Rudee Reyes SOC 408 In order to illustrate how biological theories of criminal behavior came up short in showing social reality, Robert Merton proposed his strain theory. He realized that every society and culture sets forth goals that every member should meet, and dictates the legitimate means of achieving those goals. So Merton argued that structural conditions needed to be considered as influencing deviation from behavior considered as normative. He referred to Durkheim’s concept of anomie, but understood it as the pressure, or strain, that an individual experiences based on two conditions. First, an individual may experience strain when institutional means of achieving culturally defined goals do not necessarily lead to attainment of those goals. Second, an individual may also experience strain when access to the institutional means of achieving culturally defined goals is completely blocked off. In his theory, Merton describes five different ways that individuals adjust to the strains they experience (Merton pg. 233). These categories explain how individuals adapt under the conditions of strain resulting from anomie. The first category is conformist, in which the individuals believe in both the goals set forth by their culture and the institutional means of achieving those goals (Merton pg. 234). These people strive for their culture’s goals of success by following the prescribed means of achieving them. An example of this would be college students because they want...
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...General Strain Theory: Robert Agnew At one point in life, every individual will experience strain. Theorist Robert Agnew tried to explain that when an individual experiences strain, he/she would feel a certain negative emotion or emotions. These negative emotions may lead a person to cope their strain through delinquent behavior. This paper will first summarize a recent crime on the news and it will also address Robert Agnew’s General Strain Theory. The three situations that are believed to cause strain will be explained, as well as the five factors that can make it strenuous for a person to cope in a positive and legal manner. This paper will also discuss why Agnew would explain this criminal decided to commit the crime by giving examples of the individual’s (the criminal’s) environment, personalities, and relationships. Nelly Kantun worked for more than 20 years at the Domino’s Pizza located at 1644 E. Highland Ave in San Bernardino, California. She was the manager of the store when something tragic took place on February 12, 2014. According to a news website, The Sun, Nelly Kantun’s ex-boyfriend Pedro Enrique Duquesne, age 55, from Highland shot her once in the upper body when she was inside the Domino’s store; Nelly was then shot two more times outside of the store when she allegedly tried to run out. Police believed this incident was due to domestic violence. The 39 year old unfortunately died at St. Bernardines Medical Center in San Bernardino. She was well liked and...
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...Compare and contrast the nature of white collar crime with other type types of illegal acts. 2. Compare and contrast the typical participants of white collar crime against the participants of other types of illegal acts 3. Discuss the role of technology in white collar crime and how its role may create differences from other forms of crime. 4. Analyze the role of “opportunity” and how it contributes to white collar crime. Provide specific examples to support your response. When Edwin Sutherland first began his study/analysis under the Traditional Summary Reporting System, there was a limited amount of information available on White Color Crime. The white-collar offenses that are measured are fraud, forgery/counterfeiting, embezzlement, and all other offenses. Because white-collar crimes are not Index crimes, the only information available on these offenses is arrest information, which includes age, sex, and race of the arrestee. Additionally, all other offenses arrest category is very limited in its ability to measure the white-collar offenses included in its counts. This is due to the inability to differentiate the white-collar offenses from the others that also fall in this category. Based upon the most recently published data from the FBI, the arrest rates for the offenses of embezzlement, fraud, and forgery/counterfeiting are much lower than the arrest rates for property, crime, or for total crimes in general. In order to assess the utility...
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...Theories of Crime Causation: Unit 3 Individual Project Jimmie O'Neal AIU Online Theories of Crime Causation: Unit 3 Individual Project There are a few different sociological theories of crime that experts have been debating over the course of time. A few of these theories include: the Social Control Theory, the Strain Theory, the Differential Association Theory, and the Neutralization Theory. All of these theories are different looks on the reasons that criminals make the decisions that they do to commit crimes. The first theory to look at is the Social Control Theory. This theory provides an explanation for how behavior conforms to that which is generally accepted in society. For social control theory, the underlying view of human nature includes the conception of free will, thereby giving offenders the capacity of choice and responsibility for their behaviors (Leonard and Morris). This theory aligns itself more with the classical philosophy. The basic principle states that almost all criminals recognize that laws should be followed, but society has yet to stop the crime and deviance that seems to be a growing problem in the world today. One strength to this theory is that it offers an explanation that the offenders often know what they are doing and that they recognize that it is wrong. As such, they should be held accountable for whatever crime that they have committed, by the court system. The weakness to this is that it seems to never be implemented. It is casually...
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...White Collar Crime is committed by professionals generally in the context of their employment. White Collar Crime includes Ponzi Schemes, Insider Trading, Bribery, etc. White Collar Crime is looked at with three different theories, the Control Theory, the Social Disorganization Theory and the Strain Theory. The Control Theory “suggests that there are inner and outer controls which impact an individual’s decision to commit crimes. If these controls are not present, then a person will be more likely to commit crimes. This theory focus on why people do not commit crimes.” The Social Disorganization Theory “examines the environment in which people grow up. The further away from the inner city business districts and slums areas, the less likely people are to commit crimes. It is the degree of social disorganization that exists in the inner-lying communities that increase the likelihood of criminal behavior.” The Strain Theory “explores the frustration that occurs when society deems...
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...criminals who committed the same type of crimes did so for similar reasons. While I still agree that there is a correlation, through the semester I have changed my view a bit. There are many different theories that can explain the possibilities of why two criminals who have committed the same crime have done so. There isn’t one theory that can explain the causation of any particular crime, but instead each crime and each criminal differs on a case by case basis. Without realizing it I believed heavily in the strain theory as the best explanation for the causation of crime, mainly the belief that people in poverty would overlook the consequences in order to attain what others in their community have. Now I see this was an extremely narrow view point and believe each crime and each criminal can be explained through a diverse and often multiple groups of theories. I underestimated the impact of biological issues that contribute to crime explained by trait theorists. They argue the individual is not the only one responsible for crime in society, but that we must look at their environment, neighborhood, economic opportunities, and family life. The focus is on how different biological factors like high testosterone levels and a person’s diet combined with their environment effects crime (Siegel, 2000). I would have agreed that higher testosterone levels could make someone more aggressive therefor more likely to commit antagonistic crimes, but I would have never believed that...
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...General Strain Theory In this article dated Monday, 23 April 2018 01:56 PM, three were charged with larceny at Liverpool PAC. Three people were accused and charged with theft of personal property or larceny in homes within Liverpool. Officers from Liverpool Police conducted investigations pertaining to stolen equipment from hire firms in Granville and Guildford and carried out the investigation on Saturday 21/4/2018 and Sunday 22/4/2018. The three suspects were aged 24, 37 and 41.They were refused bail to appear at Liverpool court on Monday 23 April 2018. As stated in strain theory, low social control is an aspect that relates to individual conditions that an individual has slight or completely no control over like employment prospects...
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...V. Criminality and Genetics 1. Robert Agnew According to Agnew’s (1992, 2006) General Strain Theory, there are many different types of strain in life, and strain may differ depending on the different types of relationships one may have in their environment. In Agnew’s theory strain is the result of negative emotions people have with one another, and is the direct correlation to individual characteristics people have with coping poorly with this strain and as a result strain may lead to crime. In Agnew’s (1992) claim, he eludes to how individuals that experience strain are left with the sense of not being able to achieve one’s full potential of being valued in society. This results in the person becoming under-stimulated with life and underappreciated with a lower than normal social standing. Individuals experiencing strain also experience negative emotions, and these emotions leave the person wanting to feel better with themselves and the world around them. Strain then results in crime, when the individual lacks certain skills like cognitive, emotional, and coping skills to deal with the situations revolving around their environment (Agnew, R. 2016)....
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