Explaining Crime--Lecture Outline
Example –Lead Poisoning and Crime, Freddy Gray case of dangerous housing conditions exposed him to lead
poisoning and health effects of that, and how that makes criem more likely (& how lead poisoning affected 30,000
children in Baltimore in early 1990s). Physical and social environment affects crime, this fits with social
disorganization theory especially (& perhaps self-control theory, because lead poisoning makes harder to control self)
Overview of Explanations/Theories:
Neoclassical theories (Barkan Ch. 5)
1. Rational Choice Theory —When is Crime rational? Cost-Benefit
2. Deterrence Theory --What deters crime? Related to Rational Choice theory…
Social Structural theories (more Macro focus) (Barkan Ch. 7) –
3. Social Disorganization Theory (& Social Ecology) – Role of Places / Soc. Environment (as opposed to people).
Role of Social Institutions, Poverty, Social Bonds & effect on Social Control
4. Anomie / Strain Theory –Strain cause crime, & causes Strain (economic & non-economic factors [for youth]
factors)? How do individuals respond to strain?
5. Subcultural Theories -- Subculture related to Strain & Social Disorganization; “Status frustration”. What values
are conducive to crime?
Social Process theories (more Micro focus) (Ch. 8)
6. Differential Association Theory (a Learning Theory) --Role of socialization & learning from those you associate
with… Link to Subcultural thry.
7. Social Bonding Theory – Main Idea –what keeps people out of crime (role of mainstream institutions)?
8. Self Control Theory--What causes this & how does it lead to deviance?
9. Life Course theories? What happens in life course (over time) to increase or decrease involvement in crime?
Critical perspectives (Ch 9)
10. Labeling Theory – Role Societal reaction to deviance, & of double-standards in labeling…& Self-fulfilling
prophesy
11. Feminist Theories – Patriarchy and gender inequality role in crime. How are Gender socialization & crime
related?
12. Radical and Conflict theories – Economic basis for much crime (poverty especially), key role of capitalism as
economic system (inequality & poverty), role of powerful in laws & CJ system.
.
More Details on Theories:
Neoclassical Theories (Barkan Ch. 5, p. 119-130)
1. Rational Choice Theory—What is the main assumption of this theory? What is an “event decision” and
how do “situational factors” and “opportunities” affect “event decisions”?
a. How well does white-collar crime fit this theory? How rational is that type of crime? (lecture only)
2. Deterrence Theory--What is the main idea (i.e., what deters crime?)? How is this related to Rational Choice
theory? What are “general deterrence” and “specific deterrence”? What are “instrumental offenses” and
“expressive offensives”, how might deterrence theory apply?
a. How might this apply to white-collar crime? Why isn’t white collar crime treated in this way?
(Lecture only)
Social Structure Focus (Barkan Ch. 7):
3. Social Disorganization Theory (& Social Ecology) -- What is about the some places (as opposed to people)
that produce crime? Less Social Institutions, Social Bonds and Social Control? Social norms breakdown?
Role of Poverty?
4. Anomie / Strain Theory-- What causes Strain / Stress (consider economic & non-economic factors [for
youth] factors)? How do individuals respond to strain (5 ways)? How does that lead to crime?
5. Subcultural Theories-- How is Subculture related to Strain & Social Disorganization? What is role of “Status
frustration”? What sort of values are conducive to crime? move toward alternative subculture & crime (&
alternative values conducive to crime) [What about middle class delinquents?] What is the role of
“differential opportunity”? Subculture of violence? Link to Strain & Social Disorganization theories
(context for development of deviant sub-culture), link to Differential Association theory
Social Process /Leaning / Socialization Focus (Barkan Ch. 8)
6. Differential Association Theory (a Learning Theory) --Role of socialization & learning from those you
associate with… How does one learn & what you learn (that is conducive to crime), techniques,
rationalizations, etc…Link to Subcultural thry.
7. Social Bonding Theory – Main Idea –what keeps people out of crime (role of mainstream institutions)?
What are main 4 parts of theory (Attachment, etc.) & how do they prevent deviance? [Conversely, weak
social Bonds to Mainstream Institutions (families and Schools) lead to delinquency.]
8. Self Control Theory--What causes this & how does it lead to deviance?
9. Life Course theories-- What happens in life course (over time) to increase or decrease involvement in
crime? Social bonds, “turning points”?
Critical perspectives (Ch 9)
10. Labeling Theory – Role Societal reaction to deviance, & of double-standards in labeling? Importance of
labeling in Self-fulfilling prophesy? Primary Deviance vs. Secondary Deviance?
11. Feminist Theories – Patriarchy and gender inequality role in crime. How are Gender socialization &
crime related, for males & not for females? Role of Prior Victimization?
12. Radical and Conflict theories – Economic basis for much crime (poverty especially), key role of
capitalism as economic system (creating econ. inequality & poverty), role of powerful in writing laws and
directing CJ system against lower classes? Role of class inequality in CJ system?
How do examples in Leap Chs. 12 & 13 fit with these various theories ? (I am listing only a few details on each
aspect here, you should know more for test, at least for some)—
Kevin & Ronnie & Elena (Leap Ch. 12)—Social Disorganization theory (weak family & other institutions in their
live); gangs provide alternative way for needed social bonds, replacement for weak / non-existent family.
Subcultural theory—gang as deviant subculture & values taught by gans and where and when are deviant
subcultures more likely & for whom? . Differential Association—hanging out with gang members, interactions,
learn things about crime. Labeling theory—labeled as offender when actually a victim; also “gang” label
applied to them but definition is much broader and not applied to all that might fit. Deterrence Theory—not
work really, given experiences in Juvenile camps & jail. Strain theory—Lots of crime due in part to lack of
access to institutional means to achieve economic success; Home Boy Industries can lessen strain a bit with
jobs. Also, lots of non-economic sources of strain in families and relationships, which in turn makes it more
likely people will offend. Women tend to internalize stress (fits which categories or responses to strain?
Conformity, retreatism, etc.), whereas men more often fell anger & frustration that they act out and commit
crime (fits which strain theory categories?) Gender—Gangs and guns and masculinity…Elena’s journey and
hardship in LA, role of prior victimization hinted at.
All 3 main characters are smart and resilient – in different setting (structural conditions) they might have been
quite successful (which theory would that fit?)
Leap Ch 13 (Fabian & Trayvon)—How did Fabian get out? Soc. Disorganization Theory and Strain theory, maybe
soc. bonding theory -- Role of Homeboy as institution and providing opportunities. Trayvon -- Social
Disorganization theory-- family problems and school problems and foster care social service problems, very
poor, surrounded by drugs & gangs. Strain theory—can’t get job after jail, Homeboy provides alternative;
Subculture Theory—deviant subculture of gang, of his family. Deterrence theory not work, given jail
experiences.
Again, both young men are resilient and talented, could do a lot in other circumstances (strunctural
conditions)…