Social Theories On Criminology

Social Theories on Criminology

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Abstract

Social theories of crime are numerous , and each of them tries to explain , why people commit crimes and what motives drive them towards dis . However , not all theories are consistent and not all of them answer the questions criminology asks . This is aimed at re-considering the theory of social disorganization , Hirschi 's bond theory , and the theory of differential association

Social Theories on Criminology

Introduction

Social theories in criminology are primarily designed to answer one

of the basic questions : why do people commit crimes ? Understanding etiology of crime and dis is crucial to decrease the level of crime and delinquency in our society . Despite the fact that all social theories in criminology possess common features and have similar goals , they are at times too contradicting each other , and display inconsistence . Only in the light of comparison / contrasting several theories it is possible to determine their disadvantages , and to decide which of them (if any ) can answer the basic questions of criminology . It will be interesting and useful to re-consider the three social criminology theories : the theory of social disorganization , Hirschi 's social bond theory , and the theory of differential disassociation . In the light of the performed analysis we will be able to conclude , which of the theories possesses the best explanatory ability , and whether any of them is compelling enough to make us understand the motives of crime

In sociology , social disorganization is usually treated as both perspective and theory (Akers 2000 ,

. 23 . The theory of social disorganization is the type of criminological theory , which attributes variations in delinquency and crime to the absence of positive impact of social institutions on the specific person . The social institutions in this theory include family , school , community , etc . In case these institutions are absent or broken down , the probability of the person to be pushed towards crime dramatically increases . These are the basic provisions of this theory , if explained in simple words . To be more specific

disintegration of large family and homogenous neighborhoods as agents of social control , expanded the realm of relationships that were not governed by family and neighborhood , and undermined governmental controls . This disorganization of institutions that had traditionally reinforced the law facilitated the development and persistence of `systematic ' crime and delinquency (Akers 2000 ,

. 49

Thus , the social theory of disorganization makes environment serve the basic motivation for the crime and delinquency , avoiding any relation to inner motives any person may have towards crime . One essential point should be emphasized : there is a widely spread tendency towards trying to explain how the crime occurs , but there are considerable difficulties in trying to analyze what exactly causes crimes . The discussed theory is the example of relative environmental determinism : we do not possess any reliable knowledge about the causes of the crime , but we prefer to transfer the guilt for this crime onto various environmental factors

Doubtlessly , social disorganization theory has become a landmark in the theoretical...