SOCIOLOGICA

L CAUSES OF
CRIME
 The different sociological theories according Schmalleger (2011), analyze
institutional arrangement with society (social structure), and the interaction
among social institutions, individuals and groups (social process) as they
affect socialization and have an impact on social behavior (social life).
SOCIOLOGICAL THEORIES – this type often focus
on the relationship between crime and factors such as
(social inequality; the influences of peers; social
disorganization in a community; the consequences for
an individual of being unable to achieve social success;
and the role of criminal sub-cultures (gangs).
 SOCIAL PROCESS THEORIES
Focused on how behavior is learned through social interaction and
transmitted among individuals.
•Assume that individuals learn how to commit and avoid
committing crimes through a process of socialization.
•The more social problems encountered during the socialization
process, the greater the likelihood those youths will encounter
difficulties and obstacles as they mature (unemployed or teenage
pregnancy).
I. SOCIAL LEARNING THEORIES
ALBERT BANDURA – Bandura’s Social Learning Theory
suggests that the people learn from one another, via
observation, imitation and modeling. This theory has often been
called a bridge between behaviorist and cognitive learning
(attention, memory and motivation).

Social learning theorists view violence as something learned

through aggressive acts called behavior modeling.
In modern society, aggressive acts are usually modeled after
three principal sources:
1. Family Members
2. Environmental Experience – people reside in areas in
which violence daily occurs.
3. Mass Media – film and television often portrayed violence.
I. SOCIAL LEARNING THEORIES
Bandura’s 3 Models for Observational Learning:

LIVE MODEL

• There is an actual person who is demonstrating the desired

behavior.

VERBAL INSTRUCTION

• Involves descriptions and explanations of a behavior.

SYMBOLIC

• Occurs by means of the media that involves a real or

fictional character demonstrating the behavior.
 TYPES OF SOCIAL
LEARNING PROCESS
A. DIFFERENTIAL ASSOCIATION THEORY
EDWIN H. SUTHERLAND – introduced the theory
Differential Association Theory (DAT) in the late
1930’s. He was one of the first to state that criminal
behavior was the result of normal social process,
resulting when associated with the wrong type of
people.

* By associating with crime-oriented people,

whether they are parents or peers, an individual will
choose to engage in criminal behavior because that is
what he or she has learned.
B. DIFFERENTIAL REINFORCEMENT THEORY

RONALD AKERS – a renowned sociologist, who is

most known for his work with social learning theory.
He presented an article in 1966 titled “A Differential
Association-Reinforcement Theory of Criminal
Behavior”.

This theory defined as the balance of anticipated or

actual rewards and punishments that follow or are
consequences of behavior.
 DIFFERENTIAL REINFORCEMENT THEORY
Accordingly, behavior is strengthened or encouraged through reward as positive
reinforcement and avoidance of punishment as negative reinforcement.
C. NEUTRALIZATION THEORY

DAVID MATZA & GRESHAM SYKES

 Criminals learn techniques that allow them to

rationalize their behavior, deny responsibility for
harm, and avoid being guilt ridden.

 Criminal feel bad for what they did but have

learned to cope with it.
II. SOCIAL
CONTROL
THEORIES
A. CONTAINMENT THEORY
WALTER RECKLESS
It contends that there are two components to
prevent criminal behavior in society.

• Outer Containment - which is about community

socialization and the application of social norms and
rules.
• Inner Containment - the controlling of the self, by a
favorable self concept frustration tolerance and the
ability to follow norms.
A. CONTAINMENT THEORY
• The external factor is provided by groups in society,
the state, tribes and villages, family and other nuclear
groups of that manner. There must be certain
responsibilities and guidelines for the individual, and
these are provided by the external containment.

• The inner factors to function correctly one must have

very strong morals and ethics, must be very goal
oriented and focused, and have a well-developed ego
and super ego. Being able to manage your frustration
shows high control and focus.
B. SOCIAL BOND AND SELF CONTROL THEORY
TRAVIS HIRSCHI – emphasized that social control
is about the role of the social relationships that bind
people to the social order and prevent antisocial
behavior. He links the onset of criminality to the
weakening of the ties that bind people to society.

He further assumes that all individuals are potential

law violators, but they kept under control because they
fear that illegal behavior will damage their
relationships with friends, parents, neighbors, teachers
and employees.
 III. LABELING
THEORY
Labeling theory focuses on how other
people’s opinions can influence the way we
think about ourselves. More specifically,
labeling theory says that when other people
see and define us as criminal, that’s exactly
what we become. We change our self-
concept to fit what other people think of us,
and if they give us the label of a criminal, we
will ultimately behave according to that
label. In other words, we will become
offenders because other people say that we
are offenders.