Through childhood and adolescence, society teaches and pressures citizens to conform to certain expectations to allow for a peaceful and flourishing society, and the vast majority of people give in and see the logical reasoning behind these expectations. However, some citizens, such as Justin Bourque of Moncton, New Brunsick, do not. Some examples of social deviance include illegal substance abuse, driving under the influence, or in the case of Bourque, three counts of first degree murder. When criminologists look at criminals, they want to understand why, because when they learn why, they can potentially stop crime. This research has led to the development of many theories that each attempt to explain why crime is committed, including Hirschi’s
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(O’Grady, 2014) This specific theory applies to Bourque’s crime as he was not bonded properly to society in his childhood, thereby making it more likely that his egocentric impulses would be prominent. Merton’s Strain Theory suggests that society has culturally defined goals and institutionalized means to achieve them; if you don’t follow the means to achieve the culturally acceptable goal, you’re demonstrating deviant behaviour that is not to be tolerated. (O’Grady, 2014) This theory applies well to Bourque’s crime due to his demeanour and attitude towards authoritative an government figures as well as his rejection of wealth.
Using both Hirschi’s Control Theory and Merton’s Strain Theory, it can be established that a lack of familial and social bonding leads to individuals rejecting cultural norms and expectations, and ultimately leading to showing criminal behaviour and committing criminal acts as shown by Justin Bourque and his murder of three RCMP …show more content…
In the case of murderer Justin Bourque, Hirschi’s Control Theory and Merton’s Strain Theory fits him best, due to his obvious lack of social bonds as well as his lack of culturally defined goals and his disinterest in the institutionalized means to achieve the goals. This ultimately suggests that a lack of familial and social bonding leads to individuals rejecting cultural norms and expectations, and ultimately leading to showing criminal behaviour and committing criminal acts as shown by Justin Bourque and his murder of three RCMP officers and attempted murder of two
(O’Grady, 2014) This specific theory applies to Bourque’s crime as he was not bonded properly to society in his childhood, thereby making it more likely that his egocentric impulses would be prominent. Merton’s Strain Theory suggests that society has culturally defined goals and institutionalized means to achieve them; if you don’t follow the means to achieve the culturally acceptable goal, you’re demonstrating deviant behaviour that is not to be tolerated. (O’Grady, 2014) This theory applies well to Bourque’s crime due to his demeanour and attitude towards authoritative an government figures as well as his rejection of wealth.
Using both Hirschi’s Control Theory and Merton’s Strain Theory, it can be established that a lack of familial and social bonding leads to individuals rejecting cultural norms and expectations, and ultimately leading to showing criminal behaviour and committing criminal acts as shown by Justin Bourque and his murder of three RCMP …show more content…
In the case of murderer Justin Bourque, Hirschi’s Control Theory and Merton’s Strain Theory fits him best, due to his obvious lack of social bonds as well as his lack of culturally defined goals and his disinterest in the institutionalized means to achieve the goals. This ultimately suggests that a lack of familial and social bonding leads to individuals rejecting cultural norms and expectations, and ultimately leading to showing criminal behaviour and committing criminal acts as shown by Justin Bourque and his murder of three RCMP officers and attempted murder of two