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Crime And Theories
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"Some individuals and groups within society are more likely to engage in crime than others". Critically evaluate the statement above with specific reference to Anomie Theory, Strain Theory and Subculture theory. Do the aforementioned theories alone validate the statement as accurate?
Introduction
The statement "Some individuals and groups within society are more likely to engage in crime than others" is a complicated statement that has been substantially explored through various criminological theories. Different critics have different points of view, but they provide us examples and complete theory work own some men and women within society are more likely to interact in crime than others. In this report, we can analyze the Anomie, Strain, and Subculture theories and provide insight into the perception of criminal behaviour, but a comprehensive evaluation necessitates a nuanced perspective.
The ordinary strain theory (GST) states that humans under stress or strain get agitated and
often deal with crook activity. At its foundation lies this simple idea, which GST expands upon in many ways. (Brezina) The general pressure principle (GST) explains that humans might also respond to crime to alleviate the pressure and related emotions when strained. (Whitney DeCamp)Searching at Strain Theory supports the statement that some companies or humans within society are more likely to commit crimes than others. We can see this in ultra-modern current society, which puts pressure on younger men and women to have sure aspirations for life,
where it appears on social media that anybody else is “making it,” affecting mental health. Moving forward, appear at the Anomie produced via Durkheim and Merton. (Hooshang Nayebi) They are characterized by a rebellious nature, resulting in crime. Merton’s method considers stress elements that humans may experience, resulting in crimes such as burglary. Durkheim and
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Merton’s approach is outstanding in the current times we stay in with the price of dwelling crisis that we are presently experiencing and would guide the statement that some companies in society
are more likely to have interaction in crimes than others. Subculture Theory suggests that positive individuals or companies within society, often those belonging to awesome subcultures, are inclined to interact in criminal behaviour due to the values, norms, and life unique to their subgroup. (Trappen). However, Durkheim also speaks on functionalism, where society eventually reaches an equilibrium based on shifts. That should suggest that elevated societal pressures, such as rising costs, should result in men and women from any team turning to crime in response to circumstances. That can be considered nowadays in the value of living crisis, the place workable theft in supermarkets increases.
History:
The 19th-century findings of Durkheim brought to light the consequences of speedy social change in society. Instability resulted from the disintegration of old institutions, which extended inequality. Durkheim's theory—which holds that social revolutions have the strength to
upend hooked-up order and result in societal disorganization—is supported by this historical setting. However, as proposed by Durkheim, functionalism holds that communities attempt to gain equilibrium by adjusting to adjustments and perturbations. According to this viewpoint, society finally adjusted and stabilized despite early upheavals. Bringing this up to date, we can see how growing social pressures like fee of dwelling increases may have far-reaching effects, as
shown using the continuous crises in the fee of living. People from special socioeconomic categories may turn to criminal activity as a response to their scenario due to the stress added on via monetary difficulties. The alleged increase in supermarket theft is an applicable example in the current environment. Many human beings have severe economic troubles as a result of the
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cost of living issue, and others have grown to become crooks like stealing as a way to deal with their financial difficulties. That demonstrates the continued applicability of Durkheim's findings and thoughts by demonstrating how cultural adjustments and economic constraints can also lead to an upward push in positive kinds of criminal activity as people deal with difficult situations.
Anomie Theory: Interpreting Deviance When Norms Aren't Clearly Defined
In “Anomie Theories of Durkheim and Merton” this article is about “the Anomie Theory by Emile Durkheim”, and in this research article, they investigate how non-public behaviour is influenced using societal norms and ideals. This idea holds that human beings go through Anomie, or a situation of normlessness when these standards are ambiguous or nonexistent. Anomie Theory, rooted in Emile Durkheim's writings, asserts that falling in social norms and legal guidelines leads to crime. Humans might also act in a deviant manner as an adaptive reaction when they sense a reduction from social requirements or a lack of clear course from society. (Nayebi)The Second concept about the Anomie theory postulates that Anomie, or a lack of norms, may result from societal changes like fast urbanization or economic upheaval. (Nayebi)
We can apply this theory in practical life; people might also discover it hard to find felony ways to accomplish society's objectives in this situation, which can also lead to dissatisfaction and a larger inclination toward illegal activity. Expanding upon Durkheim's theory, Robert K. Merton brought the idea of strain. He maintained that when there is a gap between society's expectations and the assets at hand to fulfil them, humans may also turn to deviation. Merton diagnosed a range of personal responses to this stress, such as innovation, ritualism, retreatism, revolt, and conformity. This absence of direction can also make aberrant conduct extra likely. Consider a civilization where traditional values disappear due to fast
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monetary developments in real life. People in this lifestyle might also ride bewilderment and inflammation as they try to feel the breaking down of accustomed conventions. People may additionally flip to illegal recreation as a result of this social turmoil due to the fact they are searching for different choices in the lack of described ethical standards. Thus, Durkheim's Anomie Theory offers a prism through which we may see how social instability could affect people and perhaps result in peculiar conduct.
Understanding Deviance in Societal Disconnection with Strain Theory
Nickerson research work on “Merton’s sociological strain theory of deviance and Anomie” tell us about human crime and their attitude towards them. According to Merton's Strain Theory, humans might also comply with uncommon pathways that lead to crook exercise when they feel a discrepancy between society's objectives and the legal methods to obtain them. This concept implies that for human beings, besides access to usual channels, the pressure from society to gain positive objectives, like financial success, may additionally end up too great. (Nickerson, Merton's Sociological Strain Theory of Deviance and Anomie) Strain Theory, which
has its roots in the writings of Robert K. Merton, asserts that when there is a gap between social expectations and objectives and the criminal approaches to achieve them, humans may be compelled to engage in illegal undertakings with the aid of societal buildings and expectations. Merton states that when culturally mandated goals—like monetary success—are challenging to obtain by common methods, human beings might also experience pressure. (Gregory Paul C)Merton noticed several ways humans might adjust to this stress, such as innovation, ritualism, retreatism, invention, and revolt. Innovation is embracing targets, however, using non-traditional methods, whilst conformity is accepting each skill and the ends of society. Retreatism is defined as rejecting each goal and method, which regularly results in peculiar behaviour like an
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addiction. Ritualism is giving up society's desires, however sternly sticking to the means. Rebellion entails opposing and substituting the targets and techniques of the installed society.
We can apply this theory in our daily life. Imagine any person struggling financially due to a lack of work options. Frustration may occur from the pressure positioned on society to acquire monetary success. As a result, the individual may turn to unlawful things, like drug sales or theft, as a replacement for accomplishing their intended monetary standing. By illustrating a complicated interplay between societal expectations and criminal conduct, Merton's Strain Theory offers insights into how societal systems might unintentionally force humans toward deviation when ordinary avenues are blocked.
Subculture Theory: Understanding A nonconformity in Alternative Moral Principles
Nickerson's research article on “theories of subcultural deviance” tells us about the Cohen
theory of subcultural and how it links with our crime. According to Cohen's Subculture Theory, people who encounter social limitations to success may also create subcultures with distinctive values, which motivate transgression in such communities. Practically speaking, this idea implies
that humans who cannot stay up to the standards of mainstream society should seem to be for identification and a vicinity to belong in subcultures that provide different ethical frameworks. (Nickerson, Theories of Subcultural Deviance) According to subculture theory, certain societal organizations may also create different subcultures that diverge from the dominant lifestyle regarding values, customs, and beliefs. These subcultures often strengthen in reaction to the difficulties or annoyances humans stumble upon in positive social circumstances. For example, criminal subcultures might also emerge in working-class neighbourhoods with little monetary possibilities. These subcultures ought to aid and legitimize unlawful pastimes to end prosperous
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or right injustices they feel are wrong.Conversely, less stable populations may struggle with subcultures that conflict with social norms. According to the subcultural principle Albert Cohen, humans with difficulties in faculty and society may also reject ordinary norms and create subcultures as a substitute. These subcultures often use delinquent conduct to achieve status and cognizance inside a specific social group.
There, we can apply subcultural theory to the reality of daily life. Imagine a crew of young humans from economically underprivileged backgrounds annoyed with their state of affairs because they cannot prevail in society. They should create a subculture emphasizing deviation and rebellion as a substitute rather than conventional wisdom. Alternative success indicators and avenue cred or defiance of authority emerge in this milieu. As a way to show their
different ideals within the subculture, this would possibly lead to adopting deviant things like vandalism or gang membership. Cohen’s Subculture Theory presents a lens to view the emergence of deviant behaviours within these choice value systems. It explains how subcultures might occur as adaptive reactions to mainstream exclusion. Among the fundamental theories of crime are those about Anomie, strain, and subculture. According to anomie theories, crime arises
because society cannot efficiently trade people's behaviours, particularly when it comes to their pursuit of monetary gain. The principal focus of strain theory is how strains or stresses, such as the inability to acquire financial success through prison channels, affect crime. (Robert Agnew)
In present-day society, a top example of this could be the London early-life gangs. Some formative years subcultures may additionally reject traditional values, mainly involved in things like vandalism, graffiti, or petty crimes as a structure of rebellion or identification expression. Again, this supports that some segments of society are more probably to commit crimes than others. Street gangs frequently form subcultures that promote crook behaviour. Members may
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interact in activities such as drug trafficking, violence, or theft as a potential to establish identity and popularity inside the group.
Conclusion
I neither agree nor disagree with the statement, “Some men and women and organizations
within society are more in all likelihood to interact in crime than others.”The Anomie, Strain, and subculture theories furnish treasured insight into the one-of-a-kind factors contributing to humans committing crimes; all three theories do not validate that some character corporations are more likely to interact in crime than others. The assertion's accuracy relies upon a complex interplay of a range of social, economic, and man or woman factors, and it is fundamental to reflect on consideration on a couple of views and theories to reap a greater perception of crook behaviours. I agree with “Merton's Strain Theory of Deviance and Anomie society”, which suggests that humans grow to be criminals when there is a mismatch between the techniques society expects to achieve and the goals themselves. (Nickerson, Merton’s Strain Theory Of Deviance And Anomie In Sociology) Robert Merton's thesis, which dates returned to the 1940s, provides a convincing account of how criminal behaviour came to be in society. Merton divides people's reactions to stress into 5 categories: innovation, ritualism, retreatism, revolt, and conformity. The theory's acknowledgement of the many methods humans adjust to the difficulties introduced by using societal structures strikes a chord with me. It acknowledges that exclusive human beings react differently to stress, and this nuanced standpoint deepens our grasp
of deviance. Nickerson’s“Merton’s sociological strain theory of deviance and Anomie” notion considers how cultural influences shape unusual conduct. Merton acknowledges the impact on social requirements and the want to live up to them, which aligns with my findings on how cultural background influences people's decisions. It affords a framework for investigating how
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society structures motivate criminal conduct while accounting for individual differences in reaction. I agree with “Merton’s sociological strain theory of deviance and Anomie” like Merton's focal point on the institutional obstacles that may contribute to crook activity. The approach considers how outside influences form conduct as a substitute rather than attributing deviation solely to private ethical flaws. i agree with the article “10 Strain Theory Examples (Plus Criticisms Of Merton)” because the sociological standpoint is necessary to promote a greater thorough grasp of criminal behaviour's nuances. in “Brezina, Robert Agnew ‘s"General Strain Theory." Handbook on Crime and Deviance:” Comprehending criminal conduct requires considering the complicated social, economic, and private interactions. For example, the principle of Anomie stresses the disintegration of social standards, whilst the idea of strain connects crime to social pressures and the want for achievement. In “Brezina, Robert Agnew ‘s"General Strain Theory." Handbook on Crime and Deviance” principle explores how group values influence crook behaviour.
The statement's correctness relies upon acknowledging that criminal exercise is problematic and differs for specific human beings and groups. To have a thorough knowledge of crook behaviours, using various strategies and drawing from numerous perspectives is integral. No principle can thoroughly account for the inclination towards crime, highlighting the need for a comprehensive analysis of societal dynamics. The complexities of criminal pastime want a complete analysis of the thoughts of Anomie, strain, and subculture. Recognizing the complexity
of criminal habits makes an extra thorough investigation feasible and highlights the need to incorporate many viewpoints to enhance our comprehension of crook activity. "Some people and
groups inside society are greater in all likelihood to have interaction in crime than others" is a declaration that requires cautious consideration of the theories of Anomie, strain, and subculture.
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Although these theories provide a well-sized understanding of the factors influencing criminal conduct, they do not show that the statement is true.
References
Boundless Sociology:Deviance, Social Control, and Crime
. n.d. 2023.
Brezina, Robert Agnew & Timothy. "General Strain Theory." Handbook on Crime and Deviance
( 2019): 145–160 pg. <https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-20779-3_8>.
Gregory Paul C, Chris Drew. 10 Strain Theory Examples (Plus Criticisms Of Merton)
. 8, July 2023. <https://helpfulprofessor.com/strain-theory-examples-criticisms/>.
Hooshang Nayebi, Said Moeidfar. "Anomie Theory of Durkheim and Merton,imilarities, Differences and Methods of Measurement." Volume 17,. Issue 66 (2017). <https://refahj.uswr.ac.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-198-2&sid=1&slc_lang=en>.
Nayebi, Iraj Faizi and Hooshang. "Anomie Theories of Durkheim and Merton." A Comparative Review
( 2023). <https://brill.com/view/journals/coso/22/2/article-p280_5.xml>.
Nickerson, Charlotte. Anomie Theory In Sociology: Definition & Examples
. 22, September 2023.
<https://www.simplypsychology.org/anomie.html>.
—. Merton’s Strain Theory Of Deviance And Anomie In Sociology
. October 11, 2023. <https://www.simplypsychology.org/mertons-strain-theory-deviance.html>.
—. "Merton’s Strain Theory Of Deviance And Anomie In Sociology." (2023). <https://www.simplypsychology.org/mertons-strain-theory-deviance.html>.
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—. Subcultural Theories Of Deviance
. 20, April 2023. <https://simplysociology.com/subcultural-theories-crime-deviance.html>.
Robert Agnew, Joanne M. Kaufman. Anomie, Strain and Subcultural Theories of Crime
. Routledge, 2010.
Trappen, Dr. Sandra L. Theories of Delinquency
. 30 12 2018. <https://sandratrappen.com/2018/12/30/theories-of-delinquency/>.
Whitney DeCamp, Norman R. Bottom,. "Workplace Crime and Deviance." The Professional Protection Officer (Second Edition)
(2020): Pages 305-320. <https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-817748-8.00027-4>.
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