The Social Of Crime And Criminal Behavior - 882 Words

The influence that certain neighborhoods or environments have on crime has been observed and studied throughout the last two centuries. Many theories, such as the social disintegration theory, have been hypothesized to explain the effects of certain neighborhoods on crime. In addition, other theories have been presented, such as the collective efficacy theory, which serve to explain the reasons for reduced crime in other neighborhoods while presenting possible solutions to solve the problem of crime in society. This paper will explore these two theories and how they not only help explain but also, hopefully, solve the problems of crime and criminal behavior in both youth and our adults. The social disorganization theory was developed in 1942 by two criminology researchers Clifford Shaw and Henry D. McKay. The social disorganization theory states that a person’s behavioral choices are primarily determined by their surrounding physical and social environments. This theory hypothesizes that it is the location, and type of neighborhood, an individual grows up in which is the greatest predictor of crime and illegal activity. Shaw and McKay discovered that neighborhoods with the highest crime rates all have the same common problems-- dilapidated structures, poverty, a high rate of turnover in the population, or residential instability, and mixes of people from different cultural backgrounds and cultures, or ethnic diversity. Shaw and McKay determined that that juvenileShow MoreRelatedTheories on Crime1253 Words   |  5 PagesTheories on Crime: The field of criminology is basically described as the study of crime through which the causes, prevention, and correction of offenses are examined. While this process can be extremely difficult, especially for students, the analysis of the causes of crime is significant to sociology and criminology. The difficulties associated with the study of crime originate from the numerous challenges in developing theories that explain human behavior. In relation to crime, human behavior variesRead MoreCriminal Behavior And The Criminal Acts1115 Words   |  5 Pagescommit criminal acts. Criminal behavior has been studied for many years and theories have been suggested as to this very topic. Criminal behavior is when an individual commits a criminal act. A criminal act constitutes the violation of breaking the law. Criminal behavior can be linked to many crimes like organized crime along with misdemeanors and felonies (Jones, 2005). Burglaries are no exception when it comes to criminal behavior. Burglaries consist of either violent or non-violent and crimes againstRead MoreSimilarities and Differences in Sociological Theories of Crime890 Words   |  4 Pagesand Differences in Sociological Theories of Crime Walden University Similarities and Differences in Sociological Theories of Crime Sociological theories of crime contain a great deal of useful information in the understanding of criminal behavior. Sociological theories are very useful in the study of criminal behavior because unlike psychological and biological theories they are mostly macro level theories which attempt to explain rates of crime for a group or an area rather than explainingRead MoreDiscouraging Crime by Cracking down on Criminal Behavior: Result is Safer Communities1550 Words   |  7 PagesDiscouraging Crime by Cracking down on Criminal Behavior: Result is Safer Communities The frequency of crimes committed in many communities result in a heightened fear for those affected by this criminal behavior. More focus is required on the methods used to deter crime to discourage individuals from committing criminal behavior. Understanding of what is sociably acceptable and what violates cultural standards in a community is important. Then society will be able to find suitable ways to dejectRead MoreI.What Is A Theory?. 1.Criminology Is The Scientific Study1600 Words   |  7 Pagestheory? 1. Criminology is the scientific study of crime and the causes of criminal behavior. a. Correlation and Cause: Correlation is the relationship between two variables that tend to move in the same direction. Causation is the relationship in which a change in one variable creates a recognizable change in another variable. For example, many criminals are drug abusers but drug abuse does not cause crime because not everyone who abuses drugs is a criminal. b. The Role of Theory: Criminologists have uncoveredRead MoreCriminal Crime Theory Essay853 Words   |  4 Pagesunknown. When it comes to crime, we develop theories to explain why criminals do what they do. Theories like Social Structure theories, Social process theories, and social conflict theories. Each theory has its own developed ideas on what makes people tick, what causes bad thoughts, bad actions and bad people. This paper will discuss the theories listed above and the logic behind them that explain criminal behavior. The first theory to argue is social structure. The social structure theories emphasizeRead MoreThe Reasons Why People Commit Crime1659 Words   |  7 PagesSocial Environment Theory There are many reason why people commit crime. Many people have created theories on why people commit crime and how to reduce the crime rates. People commit crime due to constant strain. They, also, commit crime because they are constantly exposed to definitions that favor crime. For example, some people have parents that are criminal due to their parents being criminals and still around them the child would not view crime as bad or harmful. People, also, may commit crimeRead MoreCrime Is Something That Everyone Tries To Stay Away From,1480 Words   |  6 PagesCrime is something that everyone tries to stay away from, but ever wonder how people get involved even though everyone runs away from it? Committing a crime means to go against the constitution and portray an act that is punishable by law. Crime is considered shameful, idiotic and wrong, but individuals still choose to do it. What is worse than an individual committing a crime? When there is a group of people breaking the la w, also known as gangs. Many people can commit crimes individually, but crimesRead MoreTaking a Look at Biological Criminology1240 Words   |  5 PagesBiological criminology began many years ago along with the scientist Cesare Lombroso. He believed that criminals are born, not made. A â€Å"born criminal†, is a â€Å"defective individual†, whom has natural or instinctive tendencies towards low types of social life. (Biosocial and Psychological Theories, Feb. 11, 2014) Biological criminology believes criminals are genetically determined but face major shortcomings for being â€Å"simplistic, untestable, illogical, and often ideological† (Biosocial and PsychologicalRead MoreSocial Structure And Social Processes Essay1535 Words   |  7 PagesSOCIAL STRUCTURE AND SOCIAL PROCESS 5 Environmental influences, socialization, and traditional and accepted patterns of behavior are all used by social structuralists to portray the criminal as a product of his or social environment (Siegel, 2000). There are three types of social structure theories. First, Disorganization theory describes conflict, change and the lack of consensus, as the main cause of deviance and crime. During the 1900’s some of the communities that were prospering could