Theories of crime - ADV MODS

Question 1

Paragraph 1: Focus on sociological
Point

Answer 1

There are various approaches but sociological theories are by far the most beneficial, especially the “Strain theory”

Question 2

Paragraph 1: Focus on sociological
Explain

Answer 2

In a capitalist society, Merton stresses that society creates goals for individuals. In order for them to experience success, they must be financially secure/wealthy

However he also stresses individuals are expected to only achieve these goals through acceptable means

As a result, those in society who don’t feel they have access to these acceptable means face strain. Therefore turn to crime to experience financial success

Question 3

Paragraph 1: Focus on sociological
Example

Answer 3

Strain theory illustrated through crime statistics from London - there are higher rates of crime in economically deprived areas, eg.

In 2022, 52% of crimes were recorded in the most deprived neighbourhood.

Weapon and drug crimes were 2.3 times more likely to occur in the 10% most deprived areas compared to the least deprived 10%

Question 4

Paragraph 1: Focus on sociological
International comparison

Answer 4

Link between low income and crime is also present in the USA. eg.

The average US prisoner within the prison population had on average a 41% lower income than the average member of US society prior to being convicted and sentenced to time in prison.

Question 5

Paragraph 1: Focus on sociological
Analysis

Answer 5

Both show that those who are limited in terms of financial success may be committing crimes to achieve this goal.

Question 6

Paragraph 1: Focus on sociological
Evaluation

Answer 6

White collar crime is committed by middle class.

They arguably have the means of achieving society’s goals and so this doesn’t explain why they turn to crime.

Question 7

Paragraph 1: Focus on sociological
Line of argument

Answer 7

While there are flaws

the fact that majority of crimes are committed by working class and poorer individuals makes the strain theory v very useful and successful.

Question 8

Paragraph 2: Focus on Physiological
Point

Answer 8

Sociological theories are the most convincing but still some claim that there is a biological element to crime.

Question 9

Paragraph 2: Focus on Physiological
Explain

Answer 9

Lombroso’s now defunct theory about criminals being lesser evolved individuals has overtime developed and there is now greater emphasis on chemical imbalances, resulting in criminal behaviour

In particular, there is some evidence to suggest that testosterone plays a key part in impacting a persons ability to make rational decisions and too much of this chemical could result in impulsive, violent behaviour

this could explain why more males commit crimes.

Question 10

Paragraph 2: Focus on Physiological
Example

Answer 10

This link between sex and crime is clear as:

In 2018/19 the number of males arrested in the UK was over 5 times more than the number of females arrested.

Question 11

Paragraph 2: Focus on Physiological
International comparison

Answer 11

This is mirrored in the US:

With 73% of arrests being males.

This shows, to some extent, that crime can be explained by the biology of an individual

Question 12

Paragraph 2: Focus on Physiological
Analysis

Answer 12

Both show that sex does play a role in crime and that THERE IS POTENTIAL that testosterone Imbalance may contribute to this.

Question 13

Paragraph 2: Focus on Physiological
Evaluation

Answer 13

However, there is no evidence to show that these men who commit crime have this imbalance

Arguably Becker’s labelling theory is a much better theory to explain these statistics. As men have become labelled as more likely to commit crime and therefore, it is a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Question 14

Paragraph 2: Focus on Physiological
Line of argument

Answer 14

While there is some evidence to suggest there is a biological link to crime, sociological explanations remain far stronger.

Question 15

Paragraph 3: focus of Psychological
Point

Answer 15

Sociological theories are the most convincing, however some claim there is a psychological element to crime.

Question 16

Paragraph 3: focus of Psychological
Explain

Answer 16

Freud discussed the importance of the human personality in resulting in crime, and the fact that the id, ego and superego can influence this.

However, a more relevant theory could be used such as the Bandura’s learning theory. Shown in his Bobo Doll experiment.

This showed that children learn and imitate adults/role models. Therefore, children brought up in criminal households are more likely to turn to crime.

Question 17

Paragraph 3: focus of Psychological
Example

Answer 17

There is a lot of research that shows there is a link between families and crime

The Cambridge study found that 5% of families accounted for 50% of crimes committed.

And furthermore those with criminal parents were far more likely to be convicted later on in life.

Question 18

Paragraph 3: focus of Psychological
International comparison

Answer 18

Studies from the Netherlands suggest that young men with a criminal father are more likely to turn to crime at a young age (Huschek and Bijleveld, 2013).

Question 19

Paragraph 3: focus of Psychological
Analysis

Answer 19

Clearly, this shows that there is a link between family criminal tendencies and children who turn to crime.

Suggests children do imitate role models and explains some crime, as a result.

Question 20

Paragraph 3: focus of Psychological
Evaluation

Answer 20

However, arguably it could be the experience of families within society that explain crime in families

They may face strain or be labelled.

Question 21

Paragraph 3: focus of Psychological
Line of argument

Answer 21

While there is some evidence to suggest there is a psychological link to crime, sociological explanations still remain far stronger.

Question 22

Paragraph 4: Focus on Sociological
Point

Answer 22

Sociological theories are the most convincing but there are different theories in this category that explain this.

Question 23

Paragraph 4: Focus on Sociological
Explain

Answer 23

Hirschi argues that there are bonds that exist between an individual and society.

how attached to society people feel is also linked to their likelihood of turning to crime.

If a person agrees to the rules and has a lot to lose they will be less likely to commit crime, but those who have less to lose will turn to crime.

Question 24

Paragraph 4: Focus on Sociological
Example

Answer 24

It is abundantly clear in areas with a high NEET (number of children/adults in education, employment or training) population have high crime rates swell.

Evidenced to show this is in Glasgow, which has a NEET level of over 20% and 44,000 recorded crimes in 2016/17. Compared to Aberdeen, who have a NEET level of less than 10% and experienced less than 16,000 crimes.

Question 25

Paragraph 4: Focus on Sociological
International comparison

Answer 25

This is mirrored in the USA.

As Chicago have an unemployment rate of almost 20% and have one of the highest crime rates in the country with 500+ homicides every year.

Question 26

Paragraph 4: Focus on Sociological
Analysis

Answer 26

Both show, when there are people in society who are less active and engaged there is more crime.

Therefore suggests that these individuals commit crimes at greater levels than those who feel apart of society.

Question 27

Paragraph 4: Focus on Sociological
Evaluation

Answer 27

However, once again white collar crime is less explained using this approach.

white collar crime is committed by middle class people, who have a lot to lose and tend to be more invested in society.

Question 28

Paragraph 4: Focus on Sociological
Line of argument

Answer 28

This shows that sociological theories may not explain every crime committed but they do explain the majority, with white collar crime being the exception.

Question 29

Conclusion -
Restate LOA
Strongest reason/factor
strongest evaluation
another reason
insightful comment

Answer 29

Crime today can be best explained using sociological approaches.

Strain theory proves to explain the majority of crimes in the UK and USA. As crime here and there tends to be committed by the poorest people in society.

White collar crime is the exception. Sociological theories do tend to focus on lower classes/poorer, and therefore are less useful for explaining white collar crime. However, biological/pschological theories do not offer better answers.

Also, the sociological theory of labelling also explains the fact that crime is more often committed by certain groups.

In order to truly tackle crime across the country, both the uk and us government need to ensure that they understand the root causes and a sociological approach would be the most useful for this.