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 Learning Objectives

 To gain knowledge of main theoretical perspectives in criminology.

 To critically and objectively examine current research, topics, and policy related
to various theories.
 To synthesize knowledge on theories through class discussion and written
assignments.
 To develop critical thinking and analytic skills through class discussion and
written assignments.

Module Overview

The normative or moralistic approach to crime causation is associated with

traditional neoclassical and classical sociologies of the 18th and 19th centuries,
findings its proponents of Plato, the puritans and the Medieval Church, Bentham,
and Voltaire, among the others. In general, normative theories were predicated upon
the assumptions that crime was relative to the particular culture, was a matter of
social deviance, and could be deterred by punishment, and necessitated the
reeducation and socialization of the criminal. The empirical or scientific theories
found their basis in the positivistic approaches of Lombroso, Ferri and Garofalo in
the mid to late 19th century. These theories are in general based on numerous highly
specialized studies focusing on Environmental, Biological/Psychological and
Sociocultural and Psychological Factors in Crime Causation, and constitute the bulk
of both orientations underlie the popular recommendations for crime reduction and
improvement of the Criminal Justice System. Neither approach alone, nor special
emphasis within either approach, is capable of offering a comprehensive explanation
for all types of crime.

Introduction
Crime in its legal sense are defined as acts or omissions forbidden by law that can
be punished by imprisonment and/or fine. While in its behavioral definition of crime focuses on
criminality, a certain personality profile that causes the most alarming sorts of crimes. The
explanation why crime was committed or the causes of crime is not an easy thing to do because
there are so many factors and circumstances to consider thus making it complex. This
statement is supported by SCCJR emphasizing that “There is no one ‘cause’ of crime. Crime is
a highly complex phenomenon that changes across cultures and across time”. Crime does not
evolve from any single source and there are several reasons behind a person’s criminal
behavior (Pratap, 2016). Scholars pointed out their own views on the causes of crimes and it
has been observed that there are agreements and disagreements which would give an idea of
confusion to everyone. Many theories have common traits, but differences among them still
exist. Understanding these differences is key to understanding the often contradictory views of
crime and deviance they purport to explain (Akers, Sellers, See and Kieser, 2013).
New generations of criminology scholars brought new insights based on what they
observed in their society and the outcomes of crime commission. The pioneers in the field of
sciences and criminology established the foundation and served as a basis of having further
studies on crime causation. Their contributions had been appreciated and had shown relevance
in the modern society more specifically in dealing with crimes.

LESSON 1. Crime its Concepts and Theory: It’s Concept and Relevance

Important Theories in Criminology: Why People Commit Crime?

In criminology, examining why people commit crime is very important in the
ongoing debate of how crime should be handled and prevented. Many theories have
emerged over the years, and they continue to be explored, individually and in
combination, as criminologists seek the best solutions in ultimately reducing types and
levels of crime.
Crime
“Crime” is an act that the law makes punishable; the breach of a legal duty
treated as the subject-matter of a criminal proceeding. Generally, a crime is a violation
of societal rules of behavior as interpreted and expressed by the criminal law, which
reflects public opinion, traditional values, and the viewpoint of people currently holding
social and political power. Individuals who violate these rules are subject to sanctions by
state authority, social stigma, and loss of status.

Theory

A theory is a said to be a set of assumptions, propositions, or accepted facts that

attempts to provide a rational explanation of cause and effect (casual) relationships
among a group of observed phenomenon. In short, a theory is an idea or set of ideas
that is intended to explain facts or events.
 Here is a broad overview of some key points on the theories:

 Rational choice theory: People generally act in their

self-interest and make decisions to commit crime
after weighing the potential risks (including getting
caught and punished) against the rewards.

 Social disorganization theory: A person’s

physical and social environments are primarily
responsible for the behavioral choices that
person makes. In particular, a neighborhood that
has fraying social structures is more likely to
have high crime rates. Such a neighborhood may
have poor schools, vacant and vandalized
buildings, high unemployment, and a mix of
commercial and residential property.

 S t r a i n t h e o r y :

Most people have similar aspirations, but

they don’t all have the same opportunities or
abilities. When people fail to achieve
society’s expectations through approved
means such as hard work and delayed
gratification, they may attempt to achieve
success through crime.
 S o c i a l l e a r n i n g t h e o r y :
People develop motivation to commit crime and the skills to commit crime
through the people they associate with.

 S o c i a l c o n t r o l
t h e o r y :
Most people would commit crime if
not for the controls that society places on
individuals through institutions such as
schools, workplaces, churches, and families.

 L a b e l i n g t h e o r y :
People in power decide what acts
are crimes, and the act of labeling someone a
criminal is what makes him a criminal. Once a
person is labeled a criminal, society takes
away his opportunities, which may ultimately
lead to more criminal behavior.

Biology, genetics, and evolution: Poor diet,

mental illness, bad brain chemistry, and even
evolutionary rewards for aggressive criminal
conduct have been proposed as explanations for
 crime.

Key Concepts 1. Theories are useful tools that help us to understand and explain the
world around us. In criminology, they help us to understand the workings of the criminal
justice system and the actors in the system. 2. Theories suggest the way things are, not
the way things ought to be. They are not inherently good or bad; however, they can be
used for good or bad purposes. 3. A theory can try to explain crime for a large social unit
or area (macro), or it can attempt to explain crime at the individual or smaller unit level
(micro). 4. Because we are dealing with human behavior, the social sciences will never be
like the hard sciences. In the hard sciences, the theory of relativity will not change. In the
social sciences, however, we deal with probabilities. The social scientist will say things
such as, “A severely neglected child will probably commit, or tend to commit, delinquent
acts.” 5. To be used for maximum effectiveness, theories must make sense (logical
consistency), explain as much crime as possible (scope), and be as concise as possible
(parsimony). Most important, the theory must be true or correct (validity). Having 4 met
these basic goals, the theory must then have some real world applications and policy
implications. 6. Many theories have common traits, but differences among them still exist.
Understanding these differences is key to understanding the often contradictory views of
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