Sociology Theories of Crime

This theory suggests that people abide by societal norms due to strong social bonds.

Social Control Theory focuses on four elements that contribute to social bonds: attachment, commitment, involvement, and belief.

The theory states that people are naturally self-interested, but are discouraged from committing crimes by their strong attachment to others and the consequences of their actions.

This theory highlights how social interactions and labels assigned by society can influence an individual's self-perception and behavior.

Labelling theory asserts that individuals may internalize the labels they are assigned, leading them to conform to those labels.

Labelling Theory is criticized for neglecting the reasons behind deviant actions before individuals are labeled.

This theory aims to analyze how individuals become defined as deviant based on their actions.

Labelling theory is part of the broader understanding of crime through symbolic interactionism, emphasizes social interactions and meaning-making in shaping behavior.

This theory suggests that criminal behavior is learned through interactions with others, especially those who hold deviant values and attitudes.

This theory explains how individuals can temporarily justify their criminal actions by neutralizing their sense of guilt and morality.

Occurs when offenders believe their actions were caused by external factors beyond their control.

Occurs when offenders minimize the harm they caused, arguing it wasn't serious or that no one really got hurt.

Occurs when offenders justify their actions by blaming the victim, claiming they deserved what happened.

Occurs when offenders argue that the system is unfair, therefore, their actions are justified.

Occurs when offenders justify their actions by claiming they were acting out of loyalty to a group or cause.

The theory argues that criminal behavior is learned, and the frequency, intensity, priority, and duration of exposure to deviant influences play a crucial role in shaping an individual's values and attitudes.

This theory argues that the criminal justice system primarily serves the interests of the wealthy and powerful, while criminalizing actions that could threaten capitalist interests.

This theory criticizes the criminal justice system for disproportionately targeting the working class, while often ignoring crimes committed by the elite.

This theory argues that the criminal justice system criminalizes behaviors that threaten capitalist systems, such as unions, labor strikes, and protests.

This theory emerged as a response to the limitations of radical perspectives like Marxism, aiming to address the relationship between crime, social inequality, and social control in a practical way.

Left Realism emphasizes that crime is rooted in social structures and cannot be simply attributed to individual choices.

This theory promotes crime prevention programs that address the root causes of crime, such as poverty, lack of education, and social exclusion.

This approach examines the subordinate position of women within society and how this is reflected in the experiences of both female victims and female offenders.

Feminist Criminology emerged during the 2nd wave Feminist movement in the 1960s and 1970s, highlighting the male-centric nature of laws and criminology.

An approach to understanding crime that emphasizes the subjective and socially constructed nature of crime, rejecting the idea of a universal, objective truth.

This approach sees crime as a product of legal definitions and objective measurements, focusing on official statistics and legal codes.

This theory critiques the idea of a universal definition of crime, emphasizing how social factors influence what is defined as criminal.

The lack of cohesion, unity, or mutual trust within a community, often contributing to social problems.

Criminality is not a fixed quality but rather a label assigned by those in power, often reflecting societal biases.

This approach seeks to find solutions to crime by addressing social inequalities and reducing reliance on incarceration.

Critiques of existing theories often point to their lack of attention to societal power dynamics and their overreliance on legal definitions.

A term used to describe the false belief that systems and frameworks are objective, fair, and unbiased, when in reality they are deeply rooted in power dynamics and systemic inequalities.

A period in Canadian history from the 1960s where thousands of Indigenous children were forcibly removed from their families and communities and placed into non-Indigenous foster homes. This policy was rooted in the assimilationist goal of erasing Indigenous cultures and lifestyles.

A dangerous practice carried out by Canadian police, mainly in Saskatchewan, where Indigenous individuals were arrested, driven to isolated areas, and abandoned in freezing temperatures. This often resulted in severe harm or death.

A term that refers to a case where Neil Stonechild, a 17-year-old Indigenous youth, was found frozen to death in 1990. His death initially went uninvestigated by police, sparking outrage and highlighting the systemic biases within the justice system.

This refers to a 2016 incident where Colten Boushie and four friends drove onto Gerald Stanley's property in Saskatchewan, where Boushie was shot and killed by Stanley. The case sparked outrage due to the acquittal of Stanley, raising concerns about racial bias in the justice system.

This refers to a legal defense strategy used in cases involving domestic violence, where the defendant argues that they acted in self-defense due to a history of abuse. This defense was recognized as legitimate by the Supreme Court of Canada in 1990.

A change in Canadian law where the responsibility for sex work was shifted away from sex workers and towards those paying for sex (johns). This change aimed to protect sex workers and discourage the exploitation of them.

Legal changes made in Canada addressing the issue of rape. The goal was to make the legal system more responsive to victims and ensure that perpetrators were held accountable.

This model describes how cities develop and are structured, considering social and economic dynamics. It highlights the central business district and the surrounding Zone of Transition, which experiences poverty and social disorganization.

This zone is located around the central business district and is characterized by deteriorating housing, factories, and recent immigrants and low-income populations. It faces social and physical decay due to poverty and weak community control.

This suggests that crime is not just an individual-level issue, but is also a consequence of social inequalities. People who are disadvantaged may resort to crime to achieve societal goals due to their limited opportunities.

The idea that modern serial killers are a recent phenomenon, influenced by factors like media representation, anonymity, and modern societal attitudes.

Haggerty argues that the media's portrayal of serial killers creates a celebrity culture, inspiring troubled individuals to idolize and emulate their crimes.

Haggerty posits that modern anonymity, due to large cities and increased social distance, allows for criminal acts like serial killing to go unnoticed and unreported.

Haggerty argues that modern societies focus on efficiency and effectiveness, often neglecting ethical considerations. This can lead to calculated and planned acts of criminality, including serial killing.