Sociological theories of criminology imply that society creates conditions under which a person commits a crime. Three most notable theories include social learning theory, strain theory, and social conflict theory.
Social learning theory – first mentioned by Bandura, this theory believes that people learn how to commit crimes from each other through observation of others committing crimes. It claims that the same learning process-- through social structures, interactions, and situations-- produces both conforming and deviant behavior. The difference is in the direction of the balance of influences on behavior.
Strain theory– Coined by Robert K. Merton, strain theory states that strains or stressors in one’s life can increase the chances of committing crime. These strains can include the inability to achieve one’s goals, (financial, status, goals, etc.) the loss of positive stimuli, (death, loss of valued possessions, etc.) or the presentation of negative stimuli (verbal, physical, sexual abuse, etc.). Individuals whom experience these strains become upset and might turn to crime in an attempt to cope. Crime, from this perspective, may be a way to reduce or escape from strains.
Social conflict theory–Roughly Marxist in nature, this theory purports that competition and the dynamics of conflicting interests between social groups as the fundamental force driving culture and politics. This theory looks at criminal laws as a means by which more dominant social groups exercise control and containment over socially disadvantaged groups. One common type of social conflict theory is race based, in which whites use these criminal laws in an attempt to suppress other races in an effort to stay in power.
All three of these sociological theories agree that criminal behavior is not innate to humans, but rather that it is circumstances that affect how people act. This is different than both biological and psychoanalytic perspectives of criminal behavior.
While strain theory does have validity to it-- as could be seen during the Hurricane Katrina disaster of 2005 when desperate, trapped and starving people would loot stores for food and other necessities-- I feel that social learning theory and social conflict theory should be particularly considered in an effort to fight crime in the U.S. Through a social learning theory lens, one way to sway the balance of influence on an impressionable individual would be to set up after school clubs for inner city kids to connect with peers in a positive manner, somehow provide those kids with professional therapeutic resources and support for mental health, and have them join organizations such as Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, with which they are matched with older, positive, influential role models as a, “big sibling.” Looking at the issue of crime in a social conflict theory lens, some examples of societal changes to combat crime that have been considered greatly in the past 20 years via politics and laws that have not yet been fully implemented are the raising of minimum wage (which would greatly reduce income gap and create a livable wage for disadvantaged groups) and political outreach to underprivileged and minority communities to combat voter suppression, and more overall support for impoverished communities.
Taking this one step further, an example of combatting race based social conflict would be the decriminalization of cannabis and complete legalization in some states. This change cut back on crime rates drastically, as African Americans are far more disproportionately jailed for first time, non-violent offenses, of which cannabis used to be a major culprit for many, many years—and still is in many states. Legalization also therefore creates an industry, which would provide more jobs to the community to combat unemployment and the income gap. Another similar example to this has been the government’s effort to reduce the punishment for possession of crack-cocaine in the U.S. (cheaper and favored by impoverished African Americans) to a punishment that is equal to or more closely resembling the punishment for possession of powdered cocaine, which is more expensive and favored by wealthy whites.
According to conflict theory, deviance such as crime results from inequalities in society. These inequalities can be political or economic in nature. To reduce crime, the American government would need to create greater equality. That means that programs would need to be put into place to provide people who live in poverty or who don't often vote or take part in government the means to get access to better jobs, educational opportunities, and opportunities to participate in government.
Another sociological theory is strain theory, which posits that structures in society interfere with people's ability to meet their societally accepted goals. Therefore, individuals feel the strain of this pressure and commit crimes in order to meet these goals. An example is the pressure people feel to be materially successful or to live up to the American Dream, which advertises material success as a route to happiness. As a result, people could turn to committing crimes to get material goods. To reduce people's strain, the society can help them achieve greater material success through legal means by implementing job programs that provide people who have limited opportunities with the chance to be trained to work at a higher-paying job.
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