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Explaining Criminal Behavior

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Submitted By cheryvnc
Words 680
Pages 3
Cheryl Vance
10/6/2013
CJ2799

Explaining Criminal Behavior

For this paper I am going to discuss social structure theory and social process theory. If biology could explain criminality, then why is the majority of crime and violence in poor, underdeveloped neighborhoods? To ignore environmental and social aspects contributing to crime would be a mistake. People who live in the United States live in what is called a “stratified society” (Siegel) Stratification refers to, “a hierarchical arrangement…compromising three main layers: upper class, middle class, and lower class”). Social disorganization theory: focuses on the urban conditions that effect crime rates. A disorganized area is one in which institutions of social control, such as family, commercial establishments and schools have broken down and can no longer perform their expected or stated functions. Indicators of social disorganization include high unemployment and school dropout rates, deteriorated housing, low income levels and large numbers of single parent households. Residents in these areas experience conflict and despair, and as a result, antisocial behavior flourishes.
Strain theory: holds that crime is a function of the conflict between people’s goals and the means they can use to obtain them. Strain theorists argue that although social and economic goals are common to people in all economic strata, the ability to obtain these goals is class-dependent…members of the lower class are unable to achieve [symbols of] success through conventional means. Lower class citizens can both accept their conditions and live socially responsible…or they can choose an alternative means of achieving success, such as theft or violence.
Cultural deviance theory: combines elements of both strain and social disorganization theories. Because of this view…a unique lower-class culture develops in disorganized

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