...White Collar Crime is committed by professionals generally in the context of their employment. White Collar Crime includes Ponzi Schemes, Insider Trading, Bribery, etc. White Collar Crime is looked at with three different theories, the Control Theory, the Social Disorganization Theory and the Strain Theory. The Control Theory “suggests that there are inner and outer controls which impact an individual’s decision to commit crimes. If these controls are not present, then a person will be more likely to commit crimes. This theory focus on why people do not commit crimes.” The Social Disorganization Theory “examines the environment in which people grow up. The further away from the inner city business districts and slums areas, the less likely people are to commit crimes. It is the degree of social disorganization that exists in the inner-lying communities that increase the likelihood of criminal behavior.” The Strain Theory “explores the frustration that occurs when society deems...
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...Control theories encompass the concepts which tend to explain how behavior conforms to that which is generally recognized in a society. Some of the thoughts under control theory include the social bond theory. It was created by Travis Hirschi. This theory identifies commitment, attachment, and involvement as main elements of social bonding. The element attachment describes how an individual holds the value or norms of their society. In this case, social organizations such as school influence one’s attachment to the values of their family or community. The other element is commitment. It reflects on people’s compliance to legal behavior. It suggests that the norms and values an individual is taught at his/her young age determines how they obey the way society works. For example, those people raised in substance abusing family tend to involve themselves in drugs in future. Involvement element suggests that it is an individual’s choice to engage in conventional or deviant behavior. The decision to take either stands is determined by the norms and values one is taught during his young/adolescent stage....
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...Social Structure Theories and Reducing the Crime Rate Social structure theories associate crime rates to the organization, or disorganization of individual neighborhoods. Crime rates are higher in neighborhoods that are more disorganized than in those that are not. When identifying a disorganized neighborhood there are certain things that stand out as signs. They are: high drop out rates, high unemployment rates, a high number of single parent households, and low income levels. Social structure is directly linked to crime. Because of this, there is a need for changes to be made. While there are certainly changes to be made to the criminal justice system, changes should first be made within society. Society needs a better handle on what to do with it’s money and what is really important. Disorganized neighborhoods don’t start out disorganized. However, focus seems to shift quickly from the lower class to wherever the upper class may be. We need to ensure that our money goes to better school systems. We need to create programs to help students graduate and become passionate about academics again, and these programs need to be as available as possible to absolutely anybody who may need them. This extra help needs to stem from both the involvement of society as a whole, as well as a child’s parent. Because single parent households are so common there is a place in society to help out as well. The same as we could create programs for children, we should be putting together...
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...Hirschi’s Social Control Theory in Crime and Punishment in Suburbia Over the past few decades criminologists and sociologists have developed several theories in an effort to try and explain what causes some human beings to commit crimes. One of the most well-known theories that tries to explain why criminals commit crimes is called the social control or social bond theory developed by a theorist named Travis Hirschi. Hirschi also wanted to figure out why people don’t commit crimes instead of just figuring out why they do and he tried his best to answer those questions using his social control theory.The social control theory developed by Mr. Hirschi states that a person who has bonds with family, friends, the community, or other groups is less likely to participate in criminal activity than people who do not have those solid bonds in their life. (Glick & Miller, 2008, p. 175) Some theorists criticize this theory because they say not having bonds with friends, family, or the community has no effect on whether a person becomes involved in criminal activity or not. This paper will use the movie Crime and Punishment in Suburbia to demonstrate the validity of the social control theory by showing that not having strong bonds in a person’s life can drive them to commit criminal acts. Crime and punishment in Suburbia is the perfect movie to use in order to demonstrate the validity of Travis Hirschi’s control theory because it is about a girl named Rosanne who lacked social bonds...
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...Assess different Marxist views of the relationship between crime and social class. Marxist theorists suggest that the workings of society can be explained by the concept of exploitation – the ruling class exploit the working class. This is the fundamental point by which Chambliss pointed to explore the relationship between class and crime. Traditional Marxists imply that the judiciary system is beneficial to the ruling class only. This dominant ideology disseminates through agencies such as, education, media, and religion which is forced onto individuals, this process is known as hegemony. The capitalistic society is based upon consumers and competition therefore crime can be seen as an inevitable outcome of these values which stress looking after one self at the expense of others. In other words, those maintaining the capitalistic society maximize the benefit of the criminal judiciary system. If we look at the traits of the concept of capitalism, it is likely that the upper classes are able to commit such white collar crimes such as fraud and theft without any comeuppance. Marxists theorists provide explanations how crime is dealt within society, in order to maintain the status quo. Capitalism inevitably plays a large role in this, as they divert attention of the masses away from the causes of crime and the capitalist controlled judiciary system aids capitalist society play on this, as society views young working class white/black males as criminal/deviant groups....
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...for crime and why it exists for many years. They have taken apart the mental psycie of criminals and analyzed different theories to try and prove their points. There are scientific studies that exist today testing different variables that effect criminal activity on the psychological, social and biological realms of theories. The sociological theory focuses on the social factors that coax a person to fall into the life of crime and chaos. School of Positivism The school of Positivism saw criminal acts instead of people choosing to commit crimes they believed there were mitigating factors that existed. These factors were psychological, social, and biological and their behaviors were determinate upon these factors. There was a scientific explanation instead of the simple classicalist idea of good and evil, rational mind and free will that was believed to be possessed by all humans. The school of positivist suggests on the social side of this theory social structure is a mitigating factor in the commission of crimes. The criminal is one of weak mind and a follower. It is believed that Imation of a person superior to them and possibly idolize is the reason for many crimes. Crimes have been categorized as either fashion or more custom oriented. This means it is either something that is just hot for the minute or these were learned traits and actions that were instilled in them from a young age. The personality of a criminal according to this theory is one...
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...criminals who committed the same type of crimes did so for similar reasons. While I still agree that there is a correlation, through the semester I have changed my view a bit. There are many different theories that can explain the possibilities of why two criminals who have committed the same crime have done so. There isn’t one theory that can explain the causation of any particular crime, but instead each crime and each criminal differs on a case by case basis. Without realizing it I believed heavily in the strain theory as the best explanation for the causation of crime, mainly the belief that people in poverty would overlook the consequences in order to attain what others in their community have. Now I see this was an extremely narrow view point and believe each crime and each criminal can be explained through a diverse and often multiple groups of theories. I underestimated the impact of biological issues that contribute to crime explained by trait theorists. They argue the individual is not the only one responsible for crime in society, but that we must look at their environment, neighborhood, economic opportunities, and family life. The focus is on how different biological factors like high testosterone levels and a person’s diet combined with their environment effects crime (Siegel, 2000). I would have agreed that higher testosterone levels could make someone more aggressive therefor more likely to commit antagonistic crimes, but I would have never believed that...
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...Social Influence of Crime Stu Dent CJA/384 28 October 2012 T. Cher Social Influence of Crime Organized crime has been a research topic in criminal justice for many reasons. It appeals to researchers because of the variables that are involved in defining why organized crime exists and how it has been as successful as it has been. With all of this research comes a series of theories on how organized crime works and how society can benefit from understanding these concepts. Reviewing and defining a few of these theories will assist in understanding theories of organized crime. Among the foundation of organized crime is the idea that it is a social institution. Common examples of a social institution include schools, churches, sporting leagues and the work place. These are institutions that allow for social gathering and influence. However, a social institution can be defined as more than that. It does not have to be an actual building or infrastructure to physically gather in. Instead, a social institution is a set of social norms that establish the collective value of the society. It is not just the place to be social, but also the ideas that bond the group together and create that environment (Walker, 2011). In keeping with this idea, social institution has had a large impact on organized crime. In some ways, this social institution has created the environment for organized crime to grow and be successful. For example, the prohibition of alcohol in the early 1900s is...
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...Criminolgy Fall 2013 3 Major Sources of Crime Data Uniform Crime Report Officially reported crime Counts the # of offences known to police . (Doesn’t count the onest that are not reported (For example, Police Arrests) Crimes Reported Voluntary Participation Self Report UCR Part I Violent Crimes: Homicide, aggravated assault, property crimes, larceny, theft “serious crimes” Sean.007@umb.edu 9/10/13 Risk and Personal Safety Crime isn’t exploding The polls say it’s America’s #1 concern , new prisons, longer sentences. Film: Are we scaring ourselves to Death? What are some of the crime myths identified in the film. Crime Surge Particulary violent crime Old, white, women as victims of crime Stranger homicide Violenct Crime Facts National Commission on the causes and prevention of Violence Primarily an urban phenomenon Offenders are primarily males, youth ages 15-24 years minority, low SES individuals - Victims “...” Perpertartors are most likely to be acquantances Primarily committed by repeat offenders 6% for between 53% and 71% of violent crime. What year was this report published? 1969. Victimolgy Emergence: 1940’s Hans Von Hentig First person to really bring the idea of victim’s role in criminal events Victims precipitaton - idea that the victim brings on the criminal act Who is more likely to be victimized Victim- Offender Link Likelihood of vicitimization ...
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...SOCIOLOGY – AQA – UNIT 4 - CRIME AND DEVIANCE The exam is split into 3 questions: • Q.1 is a pure methods section which contains two parts a) 12 marks and b) 21 marks. You should spend 45 minuets on this question. • Q.2 is a method in context question. Part a) is for 9 marks [could also be a 3 and 6 mark question] and part b) is for 15 marks. You should spend 30 minuets on this question. • Q.3 is a theories essay for 33 marks. THIS QUESTION IS SYNOPTIC! You should spend 45 minuets on this question. Below is a list of all the areas and studies you need to know for each section of the exam. Don’t worry if you don’t know all the studies, each college/school are likely to teach slightly different ones, just make sure you know about that amount for each section. Q.1 For the first two pure crime parts you need to know: Functionalist theories of crime and deviance Durkheim – Social control, social regulation including suicide Merton-Strain theory, blocked aspirations Cohen – Status frustration Cloward and Ohlin – Deviant subcultures New Right/Right Realism James Wilson – Strict law enforcement needed Wilson and Kelling – Broken windows, zero tolerance Murray – Cultural deprivation, single parents and ineffective, the underclass Erdos – Families without fathers Subcultural theories Cohen – Delinquent subcultures Cloward and Ohlin – Delinquency and opportunity, criminal, conflict and retreatist...
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...Choice Theories Roslyn Wooten CJA/490 September 9, 2013 Ray Cueller Choice Theories “Criminology is the study of why individuals commit crimes and why they behave in certain situations. If people can understand and learn why a person commits a crime, there can be ways to develop control in crime or rehabilitate the criminal. In criminology there are many theories. Some relate crime to the individual; they believe that an individual weighs the pros and cons and makes a conscious decision or choice if to commit a crime or not. It is believed that a community should support the responsibility of ensuring their citizens do not commit any crimes by offering them a safe and secure place in which to live. It is also believed that some individuals have latent traits that will determine how they will react when put in certain negative situations. In studying these theories and applying them to individuals, it is hoped that psychologists can deter criminals from repeating crimes and help them in their rehabilitation”. * “Choice Theory: The belief that individuals choose to commit a crime, looking at the opportunities before them, weighing the benefit versus the punishment, and deciding whether to proceed or not”. * “Classical Theory: Similar to the choice theory, this theory ascertains that people think before they proceed with criminal actions; that when one commits a crime, it is because the individual decided that it was advantageous to commit the crime”. ...
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...Social Organized Crime Perspective Fiona Williams CJA 384 February 10, 2014 Professor Edward Rafailovitc Social Organized Crime Perspective In society, the social structure of organized crime is determined by how the enterprise is organized, such as institutions, statuses, and roles. The framework of the social structure in organized crime is that the criminal organizations are governed by the concept of family, which is called a social institution. The concept of social institution has three key essential elements. These elements include defining social institution, explaining the relationship between social institutions and organized crime, and explaining how empirical and speculative theories are the most applicable when applied to organized crime and criminal behavior. The first element that is essential to social institutions is the definition of social institution. The concept of social institution is defined as “ a group or organization that has a particular purpose, goal, or task and accomplishes the successful completion of this goal, purpose, or task by influencing and persuading individuals in a community to participate, and assist with achieving this objective” (Limbaugh, 2010). This concept is linked to organized crime because it consists of three or more people in an organization committing illegal activities for the sole purpose of gaining profit or power. The second element that is significant to social institution is the relationship between social institutions...
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...Social Learning Theory (Week 2: Assignment) The Social Learning Theory (Week 2 Assignment) There are several theories that have been developed in order for man to explain social development and the social concepts created by these developments. The many different theories that “explain how people become socialized, including the psychoanalytic theory, the functionalism theory, the conflict theory, and the symbolic interaction theory look at the individual learning process of man” (Vissing, 2011). They dive into the formation of one’s self, and they explain how the influence of society within socialization affects individuals. The social learning theory is one of these theories that attempt to explain the details of socialization and the effects of one’s own development. The social learning theory has been noted and acknowledged within the psychology community for some time now and was greatly shaped by psychologist, Albert Bandura. Overall, the social learning theory has several aspects and elements that make it a formidable and studied theory by many psychologists and it is used by many while attempting to explain how exactly people become socialized. To begin with, the social learning theory takes in to account the formation of one’s identity. The identity is considered to be a learned response to social encounters. The theory “emphasizes the societal context of socialization rather than the individual mind” (Anderson, 2009) and it “postulates that an individual’s identity...
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...Evaluation of Criminal Theory The study relating to the causes of, and reasons for, crime has long been an interest to criminologist and psychologist. Since the mid 1800�s different aspects of the scientific community have explored the question of why people commit crime. This paper will discuss several theories that have developed over the years, how those theories have grown and changed and which theories seem to be the most prevalent today. The theories that will be discussed revolve around the biological and psychological study of crime, the strain and cultural deviance studies of crime and the social control aspects of crime. All of these studies and theories will be compared and examined to understand the standing of criminology today. The first study of why people commit crime revolved around the belief that criminal behavior resulted from a persons� abnormal psychology. These theories suggest that criminal behavior is caused by some underlying physical or mental condition. These conditions separate the societies criminals from the non- criminals (Adler et. al, 2007 p.116). The first people to study this rationale where called Positivist Criminologist and believed that; Human behavior is determined by forces beyond individual control and that is it possible to measure those forces�{They} view criminal behavior as stemming from biological, psychological and social factors. (Adler et. al, 2007 p.60) In the late 1870�s, Cesare Lombroso...
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...material may be reproduced in any form by any means without permission in writing from the President, The Open University of Hong Kong. Sale of this material is prohibited. The Open University of Hong Kong Ho Man Tin, Kowloon Hong Kong This course material is printed on environmentally friendly paper. Contents Introduction 1 The focus of criminology 4 What is criminology? Why study crime? 4 6 Developing theory: the foundations of criminology 8 Theorizing about crime before criminology: the classical perspective Positivist criminology 8 10 Sociological criminology The Chicago School Strain and subcultural theories of crime Control theories The labelling perspective Critical criminology 14 15 17 21 23 27 Environmental criminology 30 Jane Jacobs and Oscar Newman Routine activity theory Rational choice theory 30 33 35 Summary 39 References 41 Feedback on activities 43 Readings Unit 2 Introduction The purpose of this unit is to introduce you to the different kinds of theorizing about crime that have constituted the discipline of criminology. Criminology as an academic discipline has existed for well over 100 years. During this time, a number of distinct approaches have emerged, and it is these different approaches that this unit seeks to capture,...
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