Thinking like a Criminolgist: Exploring Theory Through case studies

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Thinking Like A Criminologist

The world changes on a daily basis and with it comes a number of social issues . Sometimes the world changes too fast for society and adaptations are made to try to cope with them . Crime is one of the facets of society that changes along with a number of variables , which include economic status . Criminologists play a vital role in understanding crime in an effort to curb it and as a result , a number of theories have been offered as to the nature of

crime . In this we examine three case studies relating to three of these criminological theories . Some of the theories are based on psychological and biological traits and others are economic of societal based theories . We will look specifically at Trait Theory , Strain Theory and Social Learning Theory in to explain the nature of the case studies employed

Case Study 1 : Bobby , 19 years - African American (Felony Theft

Bobby 's story fits the category of Merton 's Strain theory quite well Bobby 's mother has to work two jobs to keep the family going . Bobby has 6 siblings , making it difficult to support them all on one income . Bobby therefore has to help with this support . This means of financial strain is intensified by the fact that Bobby has no formal training and did not complete high school . As Bobby has no real learned skills , he is unemployed and has turned to street crime and gangster outfits and although he does not take drugs or drink , it is likely that the temptation will at some stage arise , if he continues to surround himself with this type of environment . Merton 's Strain theory is similar to positivist social theory in that it sees economy and social change as a contributing factor to crime . However , Merton believed that deviance arises when the same set of goals are created for all people without equal means with which to achieve these goals (Hewett , 2008 . What essentially happens is that a person in Bobby 's situation is unable to keep up with the standards presented by society and turns to crime in to survive . Without education it becomes difficult to find employment at this stage , yet Bobby is young enough to take on some form of education . Merton states that there are various means of dealing with goals , and in Bobby 's case , he refuses to conform innovate ritualize or retreat (Hewett , 2008 . He rebels in the end . This rebellion can be a flouting of norms because he no longer sees society as able to accommodate him

Case study 2 : Sarah , 20 years - Caucasian (Prostitution

This case is extremely serious . For a number of reasons Sarah is the result of a crime committed against her . Well cared for and educated there would seem to be no reason for Sarah to feel she has to prostitute herself . With a supportive family and all the financial means available she could become anything she wanted...