Strengths and Weaknesses of Criminology Theories Essay

criminological theories. These theories include critical/conflict, feminist, Biological/Biosocial, and life course. For each theory I will share how they each explain why crime might occur, while also sharing their strengths and weaknesses. To conclude this paper, I will chose one theory that I think best describes why crime occurs. To begin, I will first talk about the critical/conflict theory. This theory argues that traditional theories are intellectually sterile and dangerous. Moreover, this theory ignores and unchallenged the powerful interests that benefit from this inequality. Critical theory provides several central themes. According to central themes of critical criminology, concepts of inequality and power are integral to understanding crime. Furthermore, Critical criminology notes that capitalism enriches some and impoverishes many. Also, critical theory suggests…

handling and the prevention of criminal acts (1). The Social Learning Theory, composed by Albert Bandura in 1997, proposes that learning is a cognitive process that occurs in a social forum and can take place through observations and direct instruction, regardless if there is a direct reinforcement present. Additionally, the theory suggests that learning also occurs through a process know as vicarious reinforcement, connoting that through the observation of rewards and punishments panicle…

Biological Positivism has both its strengths and weaknesses, it changed the way of criminological ideas and opened up new theories that were based on scientific facts rather than philosophical ideas like in Classicism.…

In control theory, deviant acts are said to result from an individual’s attachment, commitment, involvement, and belief, which it goes on to define (Criminology Theory, 1998, p. 289). Its main concern is attachment, which refers to the social bonds an individual establishes with society, whether they are weak or strong, and how they relate to one’s ability or desire to violate social norms. “The concept of commitment assumes that the organization of society is such that the interests of most…

examined in the world of criminology are strain theory and general strain theory. Strain theory which was developed in the 1930’s is a widely cited theory that deal with crime being related to individuals not living up to “culturally defined goals, purposes and interest” (Greene & Gabbidon, 2012) . General strain theory is a more modern theory that is an expansion of the strain theory. It includes the idea that the loss of something positive or the introduction of something negative in to…

Robert Agnew’s General Strain Theory Defined and Broken Down for a Simple and Better Understanding Verenisse Garcia – A00013982 Texas A & M International University Robert Agnew’s General Strain Theory Defined and Broken Down for a Simple and Better Understanding Discussion In the 1990’s, Robert Agnew’s came up with the General Strain Theory, also known as, GST. To better understand where the theories derive, we need to understand that criminology is defined as empirical and…

empirical validity, weaknesses, and policy implications of each theory. Firstly, Travis Hirschi’s Social Control Theory can explain the high crime rates in Chicago. This theory revolved around the notion that social bonds between individual’s…

Strain Theory Strain theory is a criminology theory that has multiple interpretations. At its core, the theory states that individuals commit crimes because there is a strain between the social expectations placed on individuals and the opportunities available to them. Thus, if there is a social expectation that individuals will be able to provide for themselves, but their communities do not provide them the opportunities necessary to find a good job, then they will resort to crimes in order to…

The RNR model must cover multiple criminogenic needs, should assess the individuals strengths, both for risk prediction and responsivity, use structured assessments of risk, and use professional discretion occasionally (McIvor, 2004). No theory no matter how well-crafted can be all things to all people. The RNR model approaches have also been shown to be effective among female offenders (Dowden & Andrews, 1999). However, evidence proposes that, even though the integrity and obedience to RNR…

canvass Messner’s and Rosenfield’s Institutional Anomie Theory. Contrary to earlier strain theories, Institutional Anomie theory (IAT) is based off a societal level of thinking, rather than an individualistic level. Messner and Rosenfeld conducted their tests using families, schools, and political institutions. It is comparable to Merton’s strain theory. Similar to Merton’s theory, Messner and Rosenfeld argue that society puts pressure on individuals to achieve socially accepted goal. However,…