However Subcultural theorists developed this idea claiming that people experiencing strain seek different forms of success. As item A explains, subcultural theorists have developed earlier ideas about crime. They see crime and deviance as a group activity. More specifically, Albert Cohen (1955) believed that ‘status frustration’ is the motive behind delinquent acts. This means that those who feel looked down upon and those who feel that they are denied social status commit the delinquent acts.
Assess the usefulness of subcultural theories in explaining ‘subcultural crime and deviance’ in society today. The term subcultural crime and deviance is another way of describing the violation of laws or social norms by various groups within society. These groups have been explored in depth by many sociologists and they have attempted to explain subcultural crime and deviance through the existence of deviant subcultures. Originally, the work of Merton surrounding strain theory claimed that when there was a strain between the goals of society and the means of obtaining the goals then people would turn to crime. However subcultural theorists developed this idea claiming that people experiencing strain seek different forms of success.
As the item alludes to, these subcultural theories emerged mainly from Merton's ideas about crime particularly his anomie theory. Subcultural theories attempt to explain the collective nature of crime a deviance. Subcultures provide an alternative deviant opportunity structure for those faced by blocked opportunities. The item States different theories take different views on the reasons for crime. On of these theories is Cohen's: Cohen accepts a lot of Merton's theory by this he agrees with the concept of working class youths being socialised into the American/British dream then facing blocked opportunities due to low societal position and thus suffering from state frustration and unable to achieve goals legitimately.
Describe Using Evidence any two influences that explain why a person turns to crime. (15) There are various influences which may explain why a person tunes to crime, these influences may vary between a person’s upbringing, cognitive and biological make up. A study that supports this theory may be Farringdon et al. He suggest that social factors experienced during a child life and upbringing are clearly associated with criminal behaviour. Within the study he was able to identify patterns of particular behaviour and social factors which later lead to participants becoming’ chronic offenders’, examples of this situation were, poor parenting, harsh discipline, family members who were currently or previously offenders, and the child’s poor performance
In this essay we will assess the usefulness of these functionalist theories, and look at how it helps us explain crime. One functionalist who tried to explain crime is Merton and his strain theory, the strain theory argues that people engage in the deviant behaviour when they are unable to achieve socially approved goals by legitimate means. Merton explanation combines 2 elements; structural factors- society’s unequal opportunity structure, cultural factors- strong emphasis to achieve goals and weak emphasis on using legit means. Merton uses the strain theory to explain some patterns of crime in society, he argues a person’s positioning in society affects the way they adapt or respond to the strain to anomie. Merton gives 5 different types of adaption; Conformity- the individual accepts socially acceptable goal and achieves it through legitimate means, Innovation- Individual accepts the role of success and wealth but uses illegitimate means to achieve them, Ritualism- Individual give up on legitimate goals but still follow strictly to the rules, Retreatism- Individuals reject legitimate goals and means of achieving them e.g drug addicts, the final type is Rebellion- Individuals reject existing goals and means but replace them with new one in desire to bring about revolutionary change.
Most the kids had scar that shouldn't be there. Also many of the kids were place in many different foster family. Those sign made her wonder if all those kids had the same characteristic, could the serial Killer also have the same characteristic with each other? After she interview 200 of serial killer, Dr. Lewis found that that serial killer had three characteristic in common. With the help of ___________, Dr. Lewis have found that most the serial killer, had brain damage, they were abuse mentally, physically or sexually.
Criminal Acts and Choices Sandra Garcia Criminal Justice CJA/204 September 14, 2011 Leroy Hendrix, MS Criminals are often categorized or labeled as the bad seeds of society or the rejects and failures. Those are the individuals that make the choice of disobeying the law and decide to live the life of a felon. Those criminal behaviors later on result to becoming habitual and progressive towards severe crimes being committed. However, for every action there is a reason to better understand the mind of a criminal certain theories have been introduced to the criminal justice system to gain knowledge in why people commit crime and what can be done to prevent it from occurring. In this paper choice theories will be identified and how they
First I would like to start by giving a brief definition of what or better said – how, criminology differs from victimology. Criminology is more concerned with the origin of crime along the extent and nature of crime. Criminology places an emphasis on studying the offender, the crimes, and the motives behind the crime. It is also the study of how the public and criminal justice system responds to the offender. Victimology plays a very important role in criminology and is used to determine what the victim’s behavior has to do with their risk of being victimized.
Criminal Minded CRJ308: Psychology of Criminal Behavior Instructor: Eric Radkowski Darlene E. Adams January 18, 2015 Predisposition to Kill The brain is such a remarkable part of the body. There are so many things that can change the dynamics and functions of it. Substance abuse, injury, environment, are all component’s that can change the brains dynamic. However there seems to be evidence that strongly suggest that some individual’s are predisposed to a life of crime. It is known that some individual may have chemical imbalances that may provoke them to commit simple crimes such as theft, or commit crime against other individuals.
Mental illnesses also maybe a reason. Psychiatric disorders are sometimes associated with domestic violence like borderline personality disorder, antisocial personality disorder, drug abuse, alcohol abuse, among others. Social theories of domestic violence looks at the external factors in the offenders environment, such as family structure, stress, social learning & includes rational choice theories. The social learning theory could be a reason for domestic violence. The social learning theory(slt) believes that all behavior is learnt form experience(nurture) but we also learn through observation.