Conflict Theory vs. Social Theory

Introduction
Society has come to determine that social behavior is a direct result of an outside source. There are several different theories that could determine why a person acts or reacts in the manor that they do. This paper will address two of those theories; conflict theory and social theory. Conflict theory, would suggest that behavior is a reaction to the social order around them, where social theory would suggest that abstract sources are the cause of behavior. The writer of this paper will also provide examples to support the findings of these theories and evaluations of the effects of these theories.

Comparison of Conflict Theory to Social Theory
Conflict theory states that there is a social order that society follows. This order determines what social class you are in and what economic class you’re in. The theory was derived by Karl Marx. He believed that the greatest power came from those who had the “greatest political, economic, and social resources” (about education, 2014) “According to conflict theory, inequality exists because those in control of a disproportionate share of society’s resources actively defend their advantages. The masses are not bound to society by their shared values, but by coercion at the hands of those in power” (about education, 2014) Conflict also suggest that it is all about power and control. “Conflict emerges between groups attempting to exercise control over particular situations or events. Thus, the conflict approach views social issues almost as though they were fields of combat with apposing armies fighting to see who will prevail and rule the land” (Frank P. Williams and Marilyn D. McShane/University of Phenix, 2010) Social theory states that it is the “use of abstract and often complex theoretical framework to describe, explain and analyze the social world” (social theory, 2008) While both of these theories have points that one could consider to be the leading cause of any event; however, one must remember that it is not a matter of one theory of another that is the cause, it is everything around us combined in how society will respond. Therefore, the criminologist would suggest that there is a theory based reason as to why crime happens and how society will respond to crime. Studies have indicated that social environments are a direct reflection as to why or how communities react to crime. One would agree that crime and criminal behavior is a learned act that usually has starts in the environment in which that individual would live. This writer would determine that while social theory does play a part in criminal behavior, however, conflict theory is believed to have a greater impact on crime. This determination is gathered in that people are very particular on their social status. By having a certain social status, this will determine what society will make available to them. For example, if a known drug dealer on the streets, who has several people working for him/her walks into a restaurant in their neighborhood, they are probably going to be treated with more kindness than they unknown guy who walked in off the street. This is because this drug dealer has a reputation or social status that is known, therefore, there is a level of respect that is given in order to keep themselves free from violence.

Evaluation of the effects of positive and negative reinforcement on crime
Social theory involves a person learning by behaviors of others. This type of learning begins once a child is born, and continues for the rest of their life. This learning may be positive or negative depending on the environment this person is in. For example: If a child is raised in a home with two parents who do not argue or solve their problems with violence; than chances are the child will grow up to be a productive member of society. However, that same child if he/she grew up in a home that had constant violence, the parents were not socially accepted due to their behaviors; than that could would most likely following the same path that the parents have. Studies have indicated that most children have the basic foundation for their personality and their interaction with others by the time they are age five years old.
The effects that the child would have with positive reinforcement would allow this child to see that there are productive way to solve problems, make money, or to express themselves. By giving the child tools to use, would also show others or friends of the child that by using words or exercise or working hard for the things in life that are nice is the way that society fill is best to handle situations. However, the negative reinforcements that a child would cue in on is if the parents are telling the child that a criminal lifestyle is ok, if the child fills that they are unworthy of anything that is to be considered good. Also, a negative reinforcement for the child would be if the parents are dealing in drugs and the child sees the large amount of money that is in the home. When the child is older, the drug dealing lifestyle could be something that would be appealing to him or her. All persons need to have that positive reinforcement in their life, otherwise they are going to stray and not be the best that the can be.
The writer of this paper has dealt with many juveniles, and has seen the outcomes of negative reinforcement in children. Society needs to realize that inner city children need to have positive outlets that offer productive activities and solutions for youth. Most of the youth do not have the support system at home to be able to find the positive support establishments in their communities. This writer, recommends to the juveniles who are incarcerated, before they go home they need to find those positive places in their community that they can turn to. A lot of times, these youth do not realize that the probation officer that they have worked with is a positive person in their community that will help them if they find that they are starting to get into trouble. There are also other places and people in the community that they youth can turn to.
Some specific examples of the conflict theory and social theory are: the wealthy vs. the poor. The wealthy would exploit the less wealthy in order to get what the wealthy want. If the poor were to suggest an idea, most likely their voice would not be heard because they do not have the wealth status to bring the issue to light. A good example to this is the Women’s liberation movement in the 1960’s that gave women the power to work as equal as men. Before the women’s liberation movement; women did not have a say, and were not thought of as equal. Granted this not make crime any different in some areas, but, some areas did see a rise in crime when women were given equal opportunity rights. Thus, one could conclude that because of the women’s liberation movement this caused a rise in crime. However, if one were to give an educated assumption, one would realize that the women’s liberation movement has nothing to do with the rise in crime. Crime rates have risen due to the moral values of society and ethical values of society have changed. People do not consider others as equal any longer, and the thought is all about how can one person get ahead of another person. This would be considered the social theory.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the writer of this paper fills that while there is direct relation to crime and these two theories, there is not one specific characteristic of each that would lead someone to believe that one theory over another would be the cause of crime. Criminal behavior is very much a learned behavior that is either because of environment or because the person does not have the means available to him or her to make the correct decisions. This writer does not favor one theory over another, however, this writer does favor the good and well-being of all. This writer does believe that this attitude would need to start with the youth of our communities, and with this train of thought our communities would be happier and safer places to live. This writer also fills that our local governments need to realize that in order to make our communities a safer place, that they would need to start with the youth. So many law enforcements are only focused on the cause and effect, and are not looking at the bigger picture.

References

About Education. (2014). Retrieved from http://sociology.about.com/od/Sociological-Theory/a/Conflict-Theory.htm

Frank P. Williams and Marilyn D. McShane/University of Phoenix. (2010). Criminological Theory. Retrieved from Frank P. Williams and Marilyn D. McShane/University of Phoenix, AJS/524 website

Social theory. (2008). In New World Encyclopedia. Retrieved from http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Social_theory

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