Emile Durkheim Theory Of Crime

Social structure and social factors are a huge component in the creation of criminogenic environments. Using a structural approach in explaining the creation of criminogenic environments “helps us understand why poor urban areas have higher street crime rates than wealthy suburbs” (page 128). There are many different theories and ideas that can help us explain this structural approach and what roles they have in creating a criminogenic society. Durkheim’s theories are extremely known in today’s society. His theories on socialization and social ties help us to explain how the structure of society can contribute to the crime in those areas. If an individual is socialized within crime or has social ties with criminal perpetrators, that individual

2. In criminological/sociological study, what are some of the limitations to defining “crime” as only those actions in violation of criminal law? Do you feel that criminologists should limit their study in this way? Support your response. Crime is learned from a person’s interaction within a given society. People learn from the things they witness and see. When we are taught the wrong things it could be, detrimental not only to the public but your future views on life. Most felon’s choses to break the law intentionally to obtain some sort of reaction from the public or attention for himself or herself. They ignore the fact that they will be held accountable for their actions for committing these crimes. To be held liable for the results of your actions the individual must knowingly know that he or she has committed a crime in the eyes of the law. (Tappan, 1947, p. 100).

Gang violence and activity has arisen in the past decades, with exceeding concerns and amongst youth being the primary target. Law enforcement try to gain a better understanding to why people are falling into criminal activity. Throughout the following essay we will be summarizing the background of one of the most notorious gang known internationally, MS-13. In addition, we will also be explaining ways different criminology theorist and theories apply to these particular group of people.

Chapter seven and eight discusses the effects of labeling criminals, and factors that leads to deviant behaviors. To begin, we look at the early days of crime, and how people were cast out as criminals. These individuals were subjected to harsh punishment, and throwing into dungeons. However, as time went on, criminologist begin to study crime. What is crime, why does it occur, and how can it cease? For years, various criminologist concluded ways in which he or she believed was the source of the problem. In fact, theorists like Albert Reiss and E. Ivan Niye, “tended to suggest that crime and delinquency could be expected in conditions where controls were not effective”. For example, disorganized cultures that have little social control, crime

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).

This essay will examine the legal aspects of defining crime, there are many ways in which you can define crime whether it is deemed to be right or wrong. The concept of crime has changed throughout the years and there is no simple answer to what is crime, the idea of crime is constantly changing and it will keep changing as the perception is surrounded of what constitutes criminal behaviour. As stated in the sage dictionary of criminology crime “Depends upon which of its multiple constitutive elements is emphasized, this in turn depends upon the theoretical position taken by those defining crime” (The Sage Dictionary of Criminology, Eugene and John, P.85). Therefore defining crime is not as simple as it may look as it depends on which position you are thinking from.

The connection between economics and crime activities is multifaceted and complex. Perhaps as a result of this density, there has been thorough coverage of the issue of crime in connection to capitalism which has become elusive to administrative or mainstream criminology, more especially in the United States, regardless of some occasionally high-profile and ostensibly elaborate attempts to address it. The modern market system is capitalism. It has been grafted into almost the entire economic system. The idea behind this modern economic system, capitalism, is that it is not an economic activity’s usefulness-it’s the fulfillment of the actual need of an individual-that is vital, but it’s only its commodification

Criminology is the wider area that is used to evaluate the context of crime. The scientific study of criminals and crime is used for evaluating the basis and reasons of crime done by people. It makes use of different theories and school of thought in order to analyse the reasons behind criminal activities. The main purpose of this paper is to consider one criminology theory or school of thought. The criminology theory that is used for analysing the requirements of this paper is rational choice theory. According to this theory, the people focus on making logical choice regarding the circumstances in which to commit crime. It is noticed that this theory makes use of utilitarian belief under which man is the actor who considers costs, means,

Ray Rice is a well-known NFL football player who recently knocked out his wife unconscious in a casino elevator. Video captured this domestic violence incident between Rice and his fiancé. On Feburary 15, Rice was arrested, but was released from jail as a simple assault charge. Rice was then suspended for 2 games, until a video surfaced the web. This video became headlines in the media which caused a lot of uproar. People were upset and shocked about Ray Rice’s “simple assault” charge and how the NFL did not fully punish this type of behavior. After the video was made public, the NFL and our society took action on domestic violence cases. Therefore, Rice was suspended indefinitely, and the Raven released him from the team. Domestic violence is a real crime that many believe should result in long jail time and or rehabilitation.

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

Robert Agnew established a crime causation principle around two major concepts. Both ideas results are directly related to crime and show the relationship between the constraints of crime and the motivation for the crime. The model reflected when the restrictions against crime are small, and the incentives for crime are high, crime will exist. Constraints in the form of sanctions and lack of internal control can progress criminality. The motivations, incentives, stimulants represent the rewards that are elevated through crime.

However, Becker’s ‘labelling theory’ has been criticised for a number of reasons. Robert K. Merton founded the ‘strain theory’ in which he argues that certain strains or tensions upon people are more likely to lead them to engaging in crime when they cannot get what they desire through legitimate means. Rather than looking at the societal reactions to crime, Merton explains deviance through the nature of society and how the structure of society generates deviance, whilst looking at the frustration or anger the deviant might obtain whilst trying to reach the shared goals within the culture. Merton’s work in “Social structure and anomie”, from McLaughlin, E. & Muncie, J. (2013) Criminological perspectives, 3rd ed., London: Sage, pp.74-84) outlines

Why are some successful? Why do some commit crimes? Society has general laws, offenders who break those laws are known as being deviants. Society views robbery, assault, and murder, as deviant acts. Cultural Deviance Theory is a, “branch of social structure theory that sees strain and social disorganization together resulting in a unique lower-class culture that conflicts with conventional social norms” (Siegel, 2018, P. 581). Acts that are viewed as deviant vary between social orders. Deviance can be said to be socially built; the general public chooses what is degenerate, individuals or an individual can be named as aberrance because of their societal position, race, ethnicity

A crime is essentially an act forbidden by the law, and considered sufficiently grave to warrant providing penalties for its commission. It does not necessarily follow that such an act is either good or bad; punishment follows for the violation of the law and not necessarily for any moral contravention. Before 1968, most theories of crime were resulted from recommendations given by sociologists, psychologists, political scientists, and criminologists. These recommendations were hinged on concepts like depravity, abnormality and insanity. It was only in the late 1960’s, that economists turned their attention to the debate of criminology inspired by Becker’s (1968) seminal paper on Crime and Punishment.

Poverty is defined as the state of being unable to fulfill basic needs of human beings. Poverty is the lack of resources leading to physical deprivation. Poor people are unable to fulfill basic survival needs such as food, clothing, shelter. These are the needs of lowest order and assume top priority. Poor people are unknown of their lack of voice, power, and rights, which leads them to exploitation. Poor people being unable to take part in social and cultural norms leads to breakdown of social relation among the people The effects of poverty can be mainly categorized as unemployment, illiteracy, food security, psychological well-being, increased crime rate, child health, homelessness etc.