Criminology
Criminology attempts to examine the causes and nature of criminal and deviant behavior of both the individuals and the society at large. It also examines the consequences of crime both to an individual and to the society (Gordon, 2007). Some of the broader theoretical approaches that are used to define human behavior in a given society include: psychoanalysis, which was postulated by Sigmund Freud; functionalism, which interprets the society as consisting of interrelated parts; interactionism, which defines the social processes that govern human interaction; Marxist theory; systems theory (Mike, Rodney & Robert, 2007).
Theories have been suggested to explain the criminal and deviant behavior of human beings and societies as a whole. Theoretical approaches attempt to explain the causes, nature, extent and consequences of criminal and deviant behavior of individuals and the society. Some of the theoretical approaches used in criminology include the social structure theories, individual theories and the contemporary cultural and critical criminology (Katherine, 2008).
Social structure theories attempts to explain human deviant and criminal behavior with regard to social factors. Some of the theories under this category include: the social disorganization theory which suggests that social surroundings that have high levels of poverty have high population turn over which results population heterogeneity, such population structure are always informal and social order is always hard to maintain resulting crime and deviant behavior; strain theory, which argues that crime and deviant behavior is accelerated by the main stream culture ideologies that are focused on dreams, opportunity and freedom, many people are motivated by these factors and end up in crime; sub cultural theory, which postulates that crime may be as a result of a smaller group fragmenting from their main cultural group to establish their own ideologies and attitudes towards life, and that is what constitutes crime; social ecology theory, which was a development of social disorganization theory, adding that crime is rampant in areas with high population, poverty, abandoned buildings and other attributes that define community deteriorations (Katherine, 2008).
The individual theories attempt to explain human deviant and criminal behavior from individual factors that drive crime. Some of the individual theories include: trait theory, which argues that brutal treatment during childhood results to violent adulthood which ultimately is a reason for crime (Gordon, 2007).The present day contemporary cultural and critical criminology theorists oppose the classical theories approach to crime. They argue that behavioral traits of human beings are influenced by the present technologies, cost adjustments and opportunities (Richard, 2000).
In this case study, john’s deviant behavior is primarily influenced by a combination of individual interest and opportunity as the contemporary theorists suggest.
The various theories that attempt to explain human and societal behavior draw a correlation with the criminology theories. The Functionalism theory views the society as consisting of inter related parts which includes: the societal norms, its cultures, its customs and its institutions. The structural functionalism views the basic societal unit as the nuclear family and justification for social phenomena can be derived from this level. Structural functionalism declined in the 1960s due to social revolution. Marxism theory was postulated by the social activists Karl Max and Friedrich Engels. Marxism explained the principles of exploitation and alienation. The theory defines exploitation as a situation whereby a person does more labor that is unnecessary compared to the goods he consumes; an exploiter consumes more goods that he can produce. It views alienation as rift of individual’s behavior from their humanity; which is due to capitalism. The theory was a proponent of the socialist community rather than capitalist society. Social constructionism attempts to draw the correlation between social phenomena and the social context. The principal focus of social constructionism is to establish the participation of individuals and societies towards the realization of social reality. Social constructionism is an opponent of essentialism. The underclass basically describes the undeserving poor; though not necessarily poor but defined by a distinctive behavior, group or a social outlook that is deviant (Tim, Paul & David).
Crime reporting is a strategy that is aimed to control and reduce the crime rates. There are different avenues for reporting crime depending on the structures and societal organization. Presently, crime reporting is done through the government agencies such as the police force and the various law enforcement agencies. The same procedure is for the enactment of the national policies at the local level; the use of citizen awareness and the use of the law enforcement agencies (Katherine, 2008).
References
Gordon, H. (2007) .The politics of crime and community. Basingstoke Hampshire: Palgrave Macmillan.
Katherine, S. W . (2008).Textbook on Criminology. London: Oxford University Press.
Mike, M., Rodney. Robert, R. (2007). The Oxford handbook of criminology. London: Oxford University Press.
Rhodes, R. (2000). Why They Kill: The Discoveries of a Maverick Criminologist. New York: Vintage.
Tim N., Paul, E. R., David, M. D. (2006). The politics of crime control: essays in honour of David Downes London: Oxford University Press.
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