Theories of Crime and Why There is No One Size Fits All Theory (CJ 725)

Each theory of crime tries to explain why there is crime in our society. Some of the theories are specific whereas others are more broad. While they all have some similarities and differences, they generally share the same goal of explaining why crime exists. No theory is completely wrong because all of the theories offer answers from a different perspective. Crime can be caused by any number of reasons: “poverty, lack of opportunity, inadequate education, family dysfunction, peer pressure, mental health issues, and societal inequalities” (FBI – UCR, 2012).  Looking at crime through more than one theory can explain more than looking at it through one single theory. 

Two examples of theories of crime Our textbook defines Social Learning Theory as, “A theory of human behavior based on learning from watching others in the social environment. This leads to an individual’s development of his or her perceptions, thoughts, expectancies, competencies, and values.” (Barton & Bartol, 2020). Another theory from our textbook is Strain Theory. Strain theory is defined as, “A prominent sociological explanation for crime based on Robert Merton’s theory that crime and delinquency occur when there is a perceived discrepancy between the materialistic values and goals cherished and held in high esteem by society and the availability of the legitimate means or reaching their goals.” (Barton & Bartol, 2020). Both of these theories present legitimate explanations for why there is crime. Someone growing up in a “rough area” may learn from a young age that crime is simply a part of life and something to be expected. In this situation, Social Learning Theory explains that someone simply does what they see their friends and or family doing. Strain Theory explains that someone who was laid off may need to steal food so that they won’t starve.  Also, someone with limited means may steal to gain items that are socially valuable but that they cannot afford. In both of these situations people commit crimes, but for different reasons.  People may also commit crimes for several reasons, and the different reasons may be explained by different theories. Social Learning Theory and Strain Theory may both be helpful in understanding why individuals commit crimes. 

I feel that these theories play into another related topic, the age-old question nature v nurture. Simply put for the context of this post, the question is: are people born bad (criminals), or are they born blank and learn their criminal behavior? In this debate, I generally fall on the side of nurture. Of course, there are exceptions to this belief, for example psychopaths, but they are the exception rather than the rule. The environment you are in shapes how you see the world and your role in it. If a person’s parents are criminals and in and out of jail, it is likely that the person will start to see that as just part of life and may very well follow in their parents’ footsteps. This of course may not happen and someone could grow up and realize that a life of crime is not best. In this case, no theory of crime would explain the behavior because there would be no criminal activity despite the factors that often lead people to commit crimes.

A trauma perspective is also helpful in looking at how these theories explain crime as a result of nurture or environment. A specific person’s environment or experiences may cause that person to experience trauma, which could result in mental illness and in some cases criminal behavior.  However, groups of people can also experience community level trauma that can cause “damaged social relations/networks, elevation of destructive social norms, a low sense of collective political and social efficacy, and widespread sense of fear and shame.” (Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority).  This trauma would help explain Social Learning Theory. Community level trauma can also result in “intergenerational poverty, long-term unemployment, business/job relocation, limited employment opportunities, and overall community disinvestment.” (ICJIA).  Looking from the community level perspective, both Social Learning Theory and Strain Theory provide explanations for why some people in certain communities may turn to crime more often than in others.

There are so many theories because there is no one reason that people commit crimes. There are endless circumstances that may create criminal activity and intent and a theory to explain it. Crime is complex and there is no one single cause for it.  The best understanding of crime must be based on an analysis looking at the problem from many different perspectives and using many different theories.

Citation:

Bartol, C. R., & Bartol, A. M. (2020). Criminal behavior: A psychological approach (12th ed.). Pearson Education.

“Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority.” ICJIA, ILLINOIS CRIMINAL JUSTICE INFORMATION AUTHORITY, 2020, icjia.illinois.gov/researchhub/articles/individual-and-community-trauma-individual-experiences-in-collective-environments. 

“Variables Affecting Crime.” FBI – Uniform Crime Report, U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation, 5 Nov. 2012, ucr.fbi.gov/hate-crime/2011/resources/variables-affecting-crime. 

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