In this chapter, we examined the theories that emphasize inequitable social structure as the primary cause of crime. From the sociological perspective, crime doesn’t come from within but rather comes from the neighborhoods, communities, policies, and people. Sociological theories on crime can help to produce policies that focus on changing the social structure and supporting the creation of community centers, community grants, educational improvement, and business loans. However, some of these resources are not available in all areas. For crime to decrease, according to sociologists, there needs to be a focus on the social structure and on providing resources for everyone, not just those who are privileged.

4.9.4 Summary

In this chapter, we looked at sociological theories of crime. Early theories include anomie which addresses how individualism and not connecting with social norms or rules can lead to deviance. The theory of imitation explains how crime can be the result of imitation or modeling the behaviors of others. Social structure theories see that the existence of a social structure provides a continuous benefit to society, but a weakened system results in social issues. Conflicts between social groups can also lead to crime. The distance between what someone wants to achieve and what they are actually able to achieve because of various obstacles and limitations is strain. Strain theory claims that when someone faces strain, they experience anomie which leads to the relative absence or confusion of norms and rules in society. When applied to strain theory, anomie is the willingness to take alternative routes or use alternative means to get to the goals you want. Social disorganization theory claims that neighborhoods with weak community controls caused by poverty, residential mobility, and ethnic heterogeneity will experience a higher level of criminal and delinquent behavior. In general strain theory, social injustice or inequality may be at the root of strain and can lead an individual to criminal or delinquent behavior.

Status frustration theory argues that four factors—social class, school performance, status frustration, and reaction formation (coping methods)—contribute to the development of delinquency in juveniles. The focus of differential opportunity theory is on the discrepancy between what the lower-class juveniles desire and what means are available to them because they have fewer opportunities than their peers in other neighborhoods. Routine activities theory sees crime as a function of people’s everyday behavior. Differential association theory asserts that criminality is learned through a process of interactions with others who communicate criminal values and who advocate the commission of crimes.

In labeling theory, someone only becomes deviant once that label is applied. Social learning theory asserts that people learn attitudes and behaviors conducive to crime from positive reinforcement (rewards) and negative reinforcement (punishments). The notion of social control relates to formal or informal relationships that keep people within certain bounds of what is socially acceptable because they do not want to harm those relationships. Containment theory states that crime is the consequence of social pressures to involve oneself in violations of the law, as well as a failure to resist such pressures.

In social bond theory, through successful socialization, a bond forms between individuals and the social group that limits criminal behavior. General theory of crime looks at the connection between self-control and crime. Control-balance theory focuses on the control someone is under and the control they hold themselves.

4.9.5 Resources

• Strain Theory: A synopsis of key factors in Merton’s strain theory: https://revisesociology.com/2016/04/16/mertons-strain-theory-deviance
• The Chicago School of Criminology: A video example of the theory of social disorganization/Chicago School perspective. http://study.com/academy/lesson/the-chicago-schools-social-disorganization-theory.html
• Subcultural Theories:  A video that gives all the key concepts and propositions of subcultural theory in criminology: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2Gn4ibhRLM