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Theories of Crime Causation 4 Different Sociological Theories

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Submitted By kjpenn57
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Pages 7
Kevin Penn

American Intercontinental University

Unit 5 Individual Project

CRJS105 –1103b-04

Theories of Crime Causation

October 26, 2011

Abstract

In this paper I will describe 4 different sociological theories in some depth while looking at how each of them in some cases overlap and strengthen one another, and at the same time many of them are in direct conflict with each other. These theories are Neutralization theory by Sykes and Matza where criminal behavior is justified ., Differential Association by Donald Sutherland where it talks about pressure that cause different types of behavior, Strain theory by Robert Agnew where the strain of outside factors are the cause of this abnormal behavior,. And finally the social control theory by Travis Hirschi along with many other who have over time helped to further this theory. Along with these theories I have also talked about a man convicted of theft by taking here in the Atlanta area and what I believe to be the best theory that would apply to him. In my conclusion I will Point the one true weakness in all the theories that I have covered in this paper.
Routine Activity Theory”:

I have chosen the “Routine Activity Theory” It shows a meaningful view on the causes of crime and the problems surrounding it. The basic point to this theory is that these offenders many times don’t have any effective controls and they will act out on targets that are very easy. One of the points of Routine Act ivy theory is that the offender and the target must be in the same place at the same time it doesn’t matter if it’s property such as theft, vandalism, or a person such as assault, or robbery (No Author, nd). It goes on to say that there are certain controllers that control crime and if they are not in place at the time of the crime it

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