Society has made bounds of progress over the past century developing criminological theories to help explain criminality, deviance, and conformity. A good theory provides a foundational lens for one to interpret and understand why a crime is committed. These theories seek to uncover more than what researchers have discovered in the past in order to understand every aspect of why a crime occurs. This research paper will evaluate five different theories; social disorganization, anomie, general strain, cultural deviance and labeling theory, presenting the theorist(s), theory premise, strengths and weaknesses and an analysis of how each theory has played a part in making me the person I am today. Ancient Roman Philosopher, Marcus Aurelius
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The definition of Social Disorganization Theory argues that an individual 's physical and social environment greatly influences the individual 's behavioral choices (Siegel, p. 143). Throughout my middle school and early high school years I was moved from a classical Christian prep school to a Christian private school. First, I cannot relate to one of the facts of this theory; growing up in a low-income neighborhood. However, I relate greatly to the social environmental aspect of this theory. I was enrolled in a private school in 7th grade that was specifically designed for kids whose parents wanted to help them stay in check, but they were not the kids that would flourish in a “prep” school where academics were important and the kids were rule followers. As a result, this school did help me stay in line for the few years I needed it, but it also surrounded me with the influence of students who, like me, wanted to rebel and engage in mild delinquent behavior. Because my environment was made up of delinquent adolescents, I was influenced and chose to become a part of that social …show more content…
More specifically, this theory holds “crime occurs when members of the lower class experience anger and frustration over their inability to achieve success” (Siegel, p. 143). Individuals feel this way because they fail to achieve what they deem as success through traditional societal means. Considering the individual does not feel successful, the “strain” pushes them to seek other means for success, such as criminal activities. Understanding the background of the strain theory is valuable in order to understand the main concept. Inspired by the Great Depression, Robert K. Merton developed the first major strain theory, which explains why the concept primarily focuses on an individual 's inability to achieve monetary success (Agnew, p. 30). More specifically within strain theory, the second theory presented is the anomie theory, which professes “there are two elements of culture [that] interact to produce potentially anomic conditions: culturally defined goals in socially approved means for obtaining them” (Siegel, p.150) Merton proclaims each individual in the United States is encouraged to strive for monetary success, regardless of their economic position. However, lower class individuals are at a disadvantage in achieving success, especially children of lower class parents. These children are often not equipped with the skills to perform well in school and
The definition of Social Disorganization Theory argues that an individual 's physical and social environment greatly influences the individual 's behavioral choices (Siegel, p. 143). Throughout my middle school and early high school years I was moved from a classical Christian prep school to a Christian private school. First, I cannot relate to one of the facts of this theory; growing up in a low-income neighborhood. However, I relate greatly to the social environmental aspect of this theory. I was enrolled in a private school in 7th grade that was specifically designed for kids whose parents wanted to help them stay in check, but they were not the kids that would flourish in a “prep” school where academics were important and the kids were rule followers. As a result, this school did help me stay in line for the few years I needed it, but it also surrounded me with the influence of students who, like me, wanted to rebel and engage in mild delinquent behavior. Because my environment was made up of delinquent adolescents, I was influenced and chose to become a part of that social …show more content…
More specifically, this theory holds “crime occurs when members of the lower class experience anger and frustration over their inability to achieve success” (Siegel, p. 143). Individuals feel this way because they fail to achieve what they deem as success through traditional societal means. Considering the individual does not feel successful, the “strain” pushes them to seek other means for success, such as criminal activities. Understanding the background of the strain theory is valuable in order to understand the main concept. Inspired by the Great Depression, Robert K. Merton developed the first major strain theory, which explains why the concept primarily focuses on an individual 's inability to achieve monetary success (Agnew, p. 30). More specifically within strain theory, the second theory presented is the anomie theory, which professes “there are two elements of culture [that] interact to produce potentially anomic conditions: culturally defined goals in socially approved means for obtaining them” (Siegel, p.150) Merton proclaims each individual in the United States is encouraged to strive for monetary success, regardless of their economic position. However, lower class individuals are at a disadvantage in achieving success, especially children of lower class parents. These children are often not equipped with the skills to perform well in school and