Theories of Crime
Learning Goal
1. To learn about (briefly) theories of what causes of crime, and
how criminal activity should be addressed
2. Discuss/hypothesize how laws have and will change as the
public adopts certain criminological theories
This week’s case study:
Theory
Classical
Criminology
Positivist
Criminology
Durkheim’s
Anomie Theory
Chicago School
Merton’s (Anomie)
Strain Theory
Differential
Association
Theory
What Elements of the Crime would the school of
thought analyze?
Based on this theory of crime, how would you modify
current legal systems to combat the issue?
Merton’s Anomie (Strain) Theory
Robert Merton: borrowed the idea of Durkheim’s ideas of Anomie and adapted them in the
1930’s. For Merton, his idea of Anomie involved the strain of being unable to obtain the goals of
society (American Dream, for example).
People will adapt by:
-
(1) If they have the means to succeed, they will conform to society’s goals.
(2) Ritualists will continue to follow the norms even if it isn’t getting them anywhere.
(3) People will innovate (find an illegitimate means to climb the social ladder).
(4) People could also retreat or
(5) Rebel against society’s goals and means.
- Retreatism is seen when people turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms when society
unfairly challenges them, while rebelling means trying to replace social goals or build a
new social structure. Common movie example used to teach these theories is Fight
Club (Ruest disclaimer: not encouraging you to see the film).
Merton’s Strain Theory
Effect on Law: Merton’s Anomie theory shows how inequalities in society can lead to crime;
deterrents will not be effective if people feel they need to commit crimes to get ahead (thus focus
on crime prevention.)
Drawbacks: Doesn’t explain or apply to White Collar crime, violent crimes, or address
inequality. Assumes that everyone wants to strive toward the same idea of success.
Let’s apply the following: conformity, ritualism, innovation, retreatism, and rebellion to the
traditional 9 - 5 life.
Differential Association Theory (and Learning Theory)
Edwin Sutherland believed that Social Disorganization Theories did not adequately explain
people’s desire to turn to criminal activity. Although he has 9 points, we’ll summarize them into
smaller points for the sake of succinity.
1.
Criminal behaviour is learned (either by observation of others, 1 to 1 interactions, or group
interaction).
a.
2.
When criminal behaviour is learned, the learning involves:
a.
3.
The influence of the relationships with those involved in criminal activity will vary from person to
person (how important is the relationship to someone, how frequently and for how long do they
interact with the person?)
The techniques of committing the crime, which are sometimes very complicated and sometimes
very simple (the hows) and the specific direction of motives, drives, rationalizations, and attitudes
(the whys)
A person will become a delinquent if the rewards of leading a criminal lifestyle outweigh the
rewards of being a law abiding citizen.
Differential Association Theory (and Learning Theory)
The main take away of this theory is that people become criminals by associating with people
whom are already involved in criminal activity; they hone in their skills as they learn from career
criminals.
Where are some places, or
groups, that people can hone in
their criminal skills?