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The Theory of Social Disorganization

The theory of social disorganization, developed by Clifford Shaw and Henry McKay, provides an enduring explanation for why certain neighborhoods have higher rates of social problems, such as delinquency, than others. The theory identifies three common problems that are typically present in neighborhoods with high crime rates: physical dilapidation, poverty, and heterogeneity. These factors, along with a highly transient population and unemployment, contribute to a breakdown in social organization and lead to crime and delinquency. Shaw and McKay's research demonstrated that the prevalence and frequency of various social ills tend to overlap with higher delinquency rates. The breakdown of informal social controls in these areas leads children to learn offending norms from their interactions with peers on the street, ultimately leading to a state of social disorganization. One of the most significant contributions of Shaw and McKay's theory is that it shows that high delinquency

Ecological School Theory of Crime

The Ecological School theory, also known as the Chicago School, originated in the late 19th and early 20th centuries to address the issue of delinquency and crime that plagued Chicago, one of the fastest-growing cities in the US. At that time, there were virtually no formal social agencies to handle the problems of urbanization, and the citizens were culturally diverse and could not understand each other. This led to chaos and normlessness, and children were running wild on the streets in gangs. The Department of Sociology at the University of Chicago became important and dominant in the early 1900s because the city needed theoretical guidance to develop solutions to its social problems. The Chicago School proposed several new perspectives of human behavior and city growth in the 1920s and 1930s. Robert E. Park, one of the prominent sociologists, introduced the theory of ecology, which claimed that much of human behavior, especially the way cities grow, follows the basic principles of

Understanding the Theory of Subculture: How Delinquent Subcultures Form and Function

Subculture refers to an organized set of values, norms, beliefs, and attitudes that have become a traditional way of life among certain segments of a population. Delinquent subcultures, on the other hand, are those where anti-social behavior is required by the norms of the group. In 1955, Albert Cohen proposed a theory of delinquency in his book "Delinquent Boys," which sought to explain the origin and functions of delinquent subcultures. According to Cohen's theory, delinquency is not inborn or something the individual contrives on their own. Instead, individuals learn to become delinquent by interacting with others who share this pattern. Delinquent patterns are acquired by becoming a member of a group where delinquency is already an established pattern and is required by the norms of the group. Cohen believed that the delinquent subculture develops as a response and solution to the problem of "status frustration," which occurs because of socialization. Social

Differential Association Theory: Understanding Criminal Behaviors through Learning

Criminal behavior has been a topic of interest in the field of criminology for many years, and several theories have been developed to explain the phenomenon. One of the most well-known theories is the Differential Association Theory, which was first introduced in 1939 by American scientist Edwin Sutherland the book “The Professional Thief”. In 1947, Sutherland and American Criminologist Doland Cressy described this theory deeply by the book “The Principles of Criminology”. This theory explains how learning processes influence the pattern of criminal behavior in individuals. In this article, we will explore the concept of Differential Association Theory and how it sheds light on the relationship between socialization and criminal behavior. What is Differential Association Theory? Differential Association Theory is a sociological theory that describes how the learning process affects criminal behavior. According to this theory, criminal behavior is not inherited, but learned through a

The Positivist Theory of Crime: Analyzing Crime from a Biological Point of View

Crime has been a prevalent issue in society for centuries, and people have been trying to understand its causes and how to prevent it. One of the most controversial and disputed theories regarding the origins of crime is the Positivist Theory. As we enter the modern age, we come across more positivists who have analyzed crime from an anthropological point of view following in the footsteps of Lombroso in 1876 such as Kretschmer in 1925, and Hooten in 1939 and William H. Sheldon (1898–1977). Ernst Kretschmer, a German psychiatrist, attempted to link body types with personality characteristics and mental illness. He proposed four body types: Pyknik, Asthenic, Athletic, and Dysplastic. Pyknik types are short and heavily built with a social and cheerful temperament but are prone to manic-depressive psychopathology. Asthenic types are tall and thin with underdeveloped muscles, irritable, and lost in fantasy, with a schizoid temperament. Athletic types are muscular, with a well-built body bu

Positivism: The Birth of Modern Criminology

Positivism, a school of thought that advocates for the application of scientific methods to social issues, was one of the most significant developments in criminology. Positivist criminologists were interested in uncovering the biological, psychological, and social determinants of criminal behavior. Rejecting traditional beliefs in free will and the mind, they sought empirical evidence for their claims. One of the most prominent figures of the positivist school was the Italian army psychiatrist Cesare Lombroso, who published the book "Criminal Man" in 1876. This book was the first to systematically study the causes of criminal behavior. Lombroso's theory was based on the idea that some criminals were less evolved than others and were throwbacks to earlier stages of human evolution. He identified a number of physical characteristics that he believed were associated with criminal behavior. Lombroso's theory of the atavistic-born criminal influenced the development of th

The Classical Theory of Criminology

Criminological theories have emerged to understand the underlying factors that affect criminal behavior. The classical theory of criminology, which emerged in the 18th century, is the first theoretical analysis of the causes of crime. Italian nobleman Cesare Beccaria and British philosopher Jeremy Bentham were the prominent figures of the classical school, with Beccaria considered the father of classical criminology. Beccaria's book "Crimes and Punishment" is the manifesto for the reform of judicial and penal systems throughout Europe. He believed that laws should preserve public safety and order, not avenge crime. Beccaria argued that punishment should fit the crime, be identical for identical crimes, and be applied without reference to social status. He also championed the abolition of the death penalty and the cause of merciful punishments. Beccaria believed that criminals made calculated decisions about what behavior to engage in, and criminal behavior is in the mind