Chapter 7 © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc.

Sociological Theories I Social Structure © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc.

Sociological Theories Crime is a result of an individual’s location within the structure of society © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc.

Crime is the end product of various social processes, especially inappropriate socialization and social learning Sociological Theories © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc.

Explain crime by reference to the institutional structure of society Social Structure Theories © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc.

Social disorganization theory Strain theory Culture conflict perspectives (sometimes called cultural deviance theory) Social Structure Theories © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc.

Social Disorganization Theories Crime rate increases among immigrants in the early 1900s reflected the social disorganization immigrants felt due to… © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc.

Social Disorganization Theories © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc. …immigrants’ inability to successfully transplant guiding norms and values from their home culture into the new one

Social Disorganization Theories The Chicago School Theory of Social Ecology © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc.

The Chicago School Criminal activity is associated with urban transition zones… © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc.

…which, because of the social turmoil or social disorganization that characterized them,… The Chicago School © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc.

…were typified by lower property values impoverished lifestyles, and a general lack of privacy The Chicago School © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc.

Social Disorganization Theories Strain theory Delinquency is a form of adaptive, problem- solving behavior… © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc.

Social Disorganization Theories Strain theory …usually committed in response to problems involving frustrating and undesirable social conditions © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc.

Strain Theory Anomie Term used by Durkheim to explain how a breakdown of predictable social conditions can lead to feelings of personal loss and dissolution © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc.

Strain Theory Anomie Merton differed somewhat by using the term to mean a disjunction between socially approved means to success and legitimate goals © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc.

Strain Theory Conformity Innovation Ritualism Retreatism Rebellion Goals and Means Disjuncture © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc.

Strain Theory Refers to the economic and social gap between the rich and poor who live in close proximity Relative Deprivation © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc.

Strain Theory Relative Deprivation Inconsistencies in the American Dream cause most crime © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc.

Culture Conflict Theory The root cause of crime is a clash of values between different social groups… © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc.

Culture Conflict Theory …over what is acceptable or proper behavior © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc.

Culture Conflict Theory Sub-cultural Theory Emphasizes the contribution by variously socialized cultural groups to crime © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc.

Culture Conflict Theory Focal Concerns Trouble Toughness Smartness © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc.

Culture Conflict Theory Excitement Fate Autonomy Focal Concerns © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc.

Culture Conflict Theory Delinquency and Drift Delinquents drift between criminal and conventional action, and choose what is most expedient at the time © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc.

Culture Conflict Theory Delinquents justify deviance by Denying responsibility Denying injury Denying the victim Condemning the condemners Appealing to higher loyalties Techniques of Neutralization © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc.

Culture Conflict Theory Violent Subcultures Violence is a learned form of adaptation to certain problematic life circumstances © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc.

Culture Conflict Theory Differential Opportunity Legitimate opportunities for success Illegitimate opportunities for success © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc.

Culture Conflict Theory Reaction Formation The process in which a person openly rejects that which he wants or aspires to, but cannot obtain or achieve © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc.

Culture Conflict Theory Delinquent subcultures (gangs) are the collective solution to the problem of status Reaction Formation © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc.

Culture Conflict Theory Gangs Today’s gangs are different from gangs of the early 20 th century © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc.

Culture Conflict Theory Members are involved in a variety of serious and violent crimes Gangs © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc.

Culture Conflict Theory Many gang members were delinquent before they became associated with gangs Gangs © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc.

Culture Conflict Theory Concerns with gang suppression should not supplant efforts to… Gangs © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc.

Culture Conflict Theory …implement effective delinquency intervention and prevention strategies Gangs © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc.