Explaining Crime--Lecture Outline
Issues for Group Discussion of Explaining Crime
Neoclassical theories (Barkan Ch. 5)
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”?
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?
Social Structural theories (Barkan Ch. 7) –
3. A. Social Disorganization (& 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?
B. Does Robert Taylor Chicago Housing Project suffer from Social Disorganization (Venkatesh, Ch. 5)? Social
Bonds & Social Controls? How do Ms. Bailey & BK’s maintain control?
4. A. 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?
B. How does Strain Theory fit with Robt. Taylor Housing Project? (Ven., ch. 5 )
5. A. Subcultural Theories-- How is Subculture related to Strain & Social Disorganization? What is role of “Status
frustration”? What sort of values are conducive to crime? [What about middle class delinquents?] What is the
role of “differential opportunity”? Subculture of violence?
B. Do Subcultural theories fit with activities of BK’s & MS. Bailey & residents? (Ven., ch. 5)
Social Process theories (Ch. 8)
6. A. 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.
B. How does Ms. Bailey and / or BK’s fit or not with this theory, & how so? (Ven., ch. 5)
7. A. 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?
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?
10-12 B. Do lives of Ms. Bailey, BK’s and residents of RT Project reflect any principles from critical theories?
How so, or not? (Ven. Ch. 5)
Lecture & some Group Discussion report-in:
Overview of Explanations/Theories:
Neoclassical Theories (Barkan Ch. 5)
Rational Chice Theory-- Key assumption; Involvement decisions vs. Event decisions
Deterrece Theory -- Key assumption; General vs. Specific deterrence, Instrumental vs. Expressive offenses
(& which are more likely to be deterred).
Structural Theories (Macro View) –
1. Social Disorganization theory (Barkan Ch. 7) – overall main idea
2. Strain/Anomie Theory (Barkan Ch. 7)-- overall main idea
3. Subcultural Theories (Barkan, Ch. 7) --overall main idea & Link to Strain & Social Disorganization theories
Process/ Learning/Socialization theories (more Micro level) –
4. Differential Association (Barkan Ch. 8) closely related to Subcultural theories --overall main idea
5. Social Bonding Theory (Barkan Ch 8) --overall main idea
Critical Perspectives (Barkan, Ch, 9)
6. Labeling Theory -- Self-fulfilling prophesy -- --& overall main idea
7. Feminist Theories
8. Conflict and Radical Theories
.
More Details on Theories:
Neoclassical Theories (Barkan Ch. 5, p. 119-130)
Rational Choice Theory problems
Deterrence Theory problems
Social Structure Focus (Barkan Ch. 7):
Social Disorganization –Barkan Ch. 7
Role of institutions & conditions in neighborhoods (esp. economic), Sociall networks / bonds, Importance
of place not people,
Strain Theory [Classic] Barkan Ch. 7
Sources of strain relating to unequal access to Legitimate Means to meet Cultural Goals (Economic focus)
5 Responses to strain (conformist, etc.)
How Ms. Bailey and her actions might fit several types of adaptations to this strain (Venkatesh ch. 5)
Strain Theory variations (Barkan, ch. 7) – Other goals besides material success, esp. for youth, and not
achieving them also causes strain and then deviance.
Subcultural Theory – Barkan Ch. 7
Status frustration among Lower-class youth and lack of success in mainstream institutions, move toward
alternative subculture & crime (& alternative values conducive to crime), 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)
Social Bonding Theory – Barkan Ch. 8
Main Idea –what keeps people out of deviance and crime (role of mainstream institutions)
4 parts of theory (Attachment, etc…)
& Weak social Bonds to Mainstream Institutions (families and Schools) lead to delinquency.
Differential Association Theory (Barkan, ch, 8)
Role of learning, from those you associate with… & what you learn (that is conducive to crime),
techniques, rationalizations, etc… Link to Subcultural theory.
Critical perspectives (Ch 9)
Labeling Theory – Societal reaction to deviance. Importance of labeling in Self-fulfilling prophesy. Primary
Deviance vs. Secondary Deviance. The Double Standard in how deviance by some groups is labeled as
crime and same activity by other groups is not so labeled.
Feminist Theories – Role of Prior Victimization among female offenders. Masculinity and Gender socialization
& crime. Role of economic marginalization of females and crime
Venkatesh, Ch. 5 info and examples – relate to various theories… esp. Strain theory, Soc. Disorgzn, Subculture
theory, Social Bonding theory (or not?), Labeling Theory, among others.
Development of Teen Brain & rational thought, implications for why teens commit deviance and crime, and how
we view them as like responsible adults. Another more biological, individual oriented idea / explanation.
Announced in class -- 1 long Essay Q on Test 2 will be on Social Theories / Explanations– you should know 3-4 main
ideas from 3-4 different theories (of your choosing), not all from same chapter, and be able to figure out how specific
examples / information from Venkatesh ch. 5 (or 3 & 4, also assigned during this test unit) fit or not with each
Not Covered in class, but know some of for exam:
Conflict & Radical Theories (Barkan Ch. 9) – How law helps capitalism’s ruling class (private property, use of
vagrancy laws) Econ. Inequality & Poverty cause crime; Class inequality in criminal defense; how white collar
crime is treated (double standard)
Life Course theories--What happens in life course (over time, at different life stages) to increase or decrease
involvement in crime? Role of Social bonds, “turning points”? (Barkan Ch 8)
Self Control Theory (Barkan Ch 8) – simple main idea….
Study TIP: See the Summary Tables of theories early in each chapter and Chapter
summaries at the end for decent, brief overview of all of the theories noted above. You need
to know more details than that, but those are good places to start…