8.Criminological theories
8.1.Social Control Theory
In 1969 Hirschi developed a theory which could possibly explain why individuals who abide by the rules and values of society as well as maintain a connection with aspects such as family and school are less likely to engage in deviant activities (Walklate, 2011:85). According to Walklate (2011:85) the theory of social control includes four elements which could either strengthen or weaken social relationships which could lead to the causation or prevention deviant behaviour. Hirschi (2011:16-26) states that these elements include attachment, commitment, involvement as well as belief.
Attachment refers to the interpersonal relationships as well as cultural and social norms of an individual.
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Christopher Mhlengwa Zikode’s criminal behaviour can be explained through the social control theory. Zikode only attended school from the age of 13 and was expelled shortly after and therefore did not successfully form an attachment to a school environment (Pistorius, 2005:220). Attachment to school is suggested to be an important means of establishing social control (Hirschi, 2011:115). Zikode failed to establish an attachment to school as well as failing to establish social relationships outside of his home and the violence displayed through faction fights in his community taught Zikode that violence is culturally accepted (Pistorius, …show more content…
McKay developed the social disorganisation theory (Bond, 2015:1). The social disorganisation theory, which is regarded as one of the most important theories connected to ecological theories, was developed through Shaw and McKay’s research from the Chicago School of Criminology (Xiong, 2015:47). Social disorganisation theory is primarily utilised in order to examine the relationship which exists between the community and crime (Xiong, 2015:47). The social disorganisation theory presumes that criminal behaviour is the result of social as well as physical environments of an individual (Briggs, 2016:1). Consequently, an environment with unravelling social structures will most likely also have high crime rates (Briggs, 2016:1). Briggs (2016:1) is of the opinion that environments with unravelling social structure will have high unemployment rates, poor schools, buildings which have been vandalised as well as both commercial and residential
This theory is also based upon four concepts or elements found with social bonds: attachment, commitment, belief, and involvement, all of which contribute to criminal behavior. Social bonds are the interpersonal relationships we form with family, teachers, friends, employers and even neighbors. Self-control also plays a part in this theory because if a person does not possess self-control, the person is more prone to engaging in criminal activity because they do not want to violate social norms or hurt others. The stronger these elements are; the less likely criminal behavior takes
1. There are many problems with boot camps (J.Knowles, 2001). 2. Juvenile drug use is increasing in the United States (Oakley, Smith & Jones, 2008). 3.
Criminology uses many theories to study crime, such as Social bond theory, Control theory social, containment theory etc. Social bond theory includes a various forms of social attachment theories. Attachment is a complicated process starting at birth with a maternal connection. This premature form of joint sets the standard for an individual's future attachments to friends, family members, co-workers and lovers. Control theory suggests a responsibility towards one's behavior.
There are many theories that suggest that crime is constructed socially, or is a product of the society in which the crime is committed. One such theory, proposed by Robert Merton, is known as strain theory. While strain theory is a useful model for explaining how societal values can drive people to commit crimes, it has several flaws and does not focus on how laws are made and how this contributes to the formation of crime. While Merton suggests that laws are created from consensus within a society, it will be argued that strain theory can also support the idea that laws are a “product of conflict” (Hagan 5). Strain theory is founded on the idea that the goals of a society and the accepted means of achieving said goal causes strain that can
Involved in the capture, torture and murder of 17 men and teenagers, Dahmer was more well known for his necrophilia, body dismemberment and cannibalistic activities. Utilizing Hirschi’s social control theory, it is possible to explain Dahmer’s criminal, deviant and delinquent activities as a product of his broken bond with society and its members. Lacking the four elements of social bond- attachment, commitment, involvement and belief- Dahmer exhibited behaviours that were incongruent to the morals, values and norms held by society. Thus, through the acknowledgement of his broken bonds with society, it is possible to understand why Jeffrey Dahmer was able to commit such disturbing
Within the past couple of decades, criminologists have developed different criminological theories that apply to the social behaviors and decisions of criminals. One of the earliest theories developed regarding criminality is the rational choice theory, in which describes the rationalization of determining if the rewards from committing the crime outweigh the consequences. In Scarver’s case, his decision to engage in criminal activities outweighed the potential consequences, or the other alternatives if he did not engage in such criminal activities. In addition to the rational choice theory, Scarver’s criminality can be related to the social disorganization theory, which describes the influence of one’s social and physical environment on one’s decision to commit a crime. Lastly, the strain theory can be related to Scarver’s criminality as well, as it is used to describe an individual who lacks the means to obtain such goals, and aspirations, so therefore, he or she engages in criminal activities to acquire the goals.
We learn from the things we experience, the things we see, and the people with whom we associate. We learn from our surroundings , experiences, acquaintances, friends, and family. Contends that we learn aggression like any other behaviour-by watching others and imitating their behaviour” (2014). This theory explains that people act and do illegal things because that is all they have been taught. Those in gangs who may use violence to resolve conflict and/or establish a respectable name for themselves have been surrounded with those who do the same thing.
This theory states that when there is crime in the neighborhood, more are likely to engage in crime. In this theory, crime is a result of the breaking down of societies norms (‘respect your mother’, ‘go to school’, etc.). The social disorganization theory is seen in many instances throughout the film. For example, one of the very first scenes show a woman screaming, spazzing and talking to herself. It is made obvious that this woman is either on drugs or just severely mentally ill.
Social Control theory can be used as a reliable and valid psychosocial explanation of school violence, specifically in explaining the actions of the Columbine school shooters. Kempf-Leonard and Morris described control theory in their journal in a way that provides an explanation for how behavior conforms to that which is generally expected in society. Some control theories emphasize the developmental processes during childhood by which internal constraints develop. Social control theories, however, focus primarily on external factors and the processes by which they become effective. Deviance and crime occur because of inadequate constraints.
It does not consider other factors such as criminal associations, individual traits, and inner strains, which plays a significant role in determining punishment for the individuals in committing crimes. It is observed that this theory endeavours to know that whether the activities of crime as well as the victim’s choice, criminals commit the activities on start from rational decisions. The theory also determines that criminals consider different elements before committing crime. They engage in the exchange of ideas before reaching on any final decision. These elements consist of consequences of their crimes, which include revealing their families to problems or death, chances of being arrested, and others elements, which comprises of placement of surveillance systems (Walsh & Hemmens, 2010; Lichbach,
Social process theory has several subdivisions including: social control theory, social learning theory and social reaction (labeling) theory (will only focus on social control theory). Social control theory insinuates every person has the possibility of becoming a criminal, but most people are influenced by their bonds to society. It contends that individuals obey the law and are less likely to commit crime if they have: learned self-control, attachment (to family, friends, peers, education, etc.), commitment (to school, learning, etc.), involvement (in leisure activities, sports, etc.), and belief (those that are positive). According to social control theory, an individual is more likely to be criminal/deviant if they are detached and alienated (from friends, education, family, etc.),
Overview of Attachment Theory Attachment theory tries to describe the evolution of personality and behaviour in relationships and it gives a reason for the difference in a person’s emotional and relationship attitudes. In the beginning, it looked at the mechanics of relationships between children and their parents but it has since been expanded to cover the entire life of the human being (Howe, 2000). Attachment theory includes insights learned from evolutionary theory, ethology, systems theory and developmental psychology (Howe, 2001).
When someone discusses the social disorganization theory it is currently focus on the relationship between people crimes social control and deviant’s behaviors caused by the environment for example if u live in an area where most crimes were to happen like domestic abuse drug trafficking or gang violence then the people around or more likely to commit crimes than ones who live in good neighborhoods. Today in our community crime effects schools work even our own homes. According to Na’im H. Madyun the author of Connecting Social Disorganization Theory to African-American Outcomes article stated that “due to high poverty single parent households it is very difficult to create social ties to the community because they believe that society does not want to help the neighborhood who have very high crime rates”(Madyum) What he means by this statement is that when someone in a neighborhood even the school is effected by crime then most kids will end up being a delinquent at an early age for example they’ll start joining gangs by recruiting them through media or on the street and getting involve in crimes while they are in middle school or high school due to parents who go to work to work every day or might be addicted to drugs and abuse their kids in their own houses.
We encounter evidence of both consensus and conflict models at all stages of the system. Causes and social impact in Criminology Alongside, there is also criminology in which has a different stance than criminal justice. Criminologists are dedicated to studying not only the causes of crime but the social impact as well. It is the study that attempts to better understand what motivates the criminal to act in such a criminal manner.
This essay will discuss crime as both a social problem and a sociological problem. Crime is seen as a typical function of society. Crime doesn’t happen without society. It is created and determined by the surrounding society. According to the CSO, the number of dangerous and negligent acts committed between the years of 2008 and 2012 rose from 238’000 in 2008 to 257’000 in 2012.