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Examining Theory Paper

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Examining Theory

Criminology CJS/231
June 27, 2016

Examining Theory Within this essay I will talk about social structure theory related to the video of Pelican Bay State Prison: War Zone. Social structure theory is a theory that a person’s place in the socioeconomic structure influences their chances of becoming a criminal. Social structure theories “These theories look at the formal and informal economic and social arrangements (or structure) of society as the root causes of crime and deviance” (University of Phoenix, 2016, para.). There are three major principles of sociological theories they are: Social disorganization, strain theory, culture conflict theory. Social disorganization “(which depicts social change, social conflict, and lack of social consensus as the root causes of crime and deviance) is closely associated with the ecological school of criminology” (University of Phoenix, 2016, para.). Strain theory is “which depicts delinquency as a form of adaptive problem-solving behavior committed in response to problems involving frustrating and undesirable social environments” (University of Phoenix, 2016, para.). Cultural conflict theory is “which suggests that the root cause of criminality can be found in a clash of values between differently socialized groups over what is acceptable or proper behavior.” (University of Phoenix, 2016, para.). Within this essay I will examine the structure that influences the prisoners to commit more crime within the prison.
Video Support: While watching the video Pelican Bay State Prison: War Zone, there was several things within the video that supports social structure theory. The video supported crime evolving from a social structure theory. Within the video it stated that Pelican Bay State prison is known for the thousands of gang leaders that want to be there mostly for more recognition. One guy stated

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